A musicians' union Thursday ended its boycott of Delta Airlines when the company, based in Atlanta, decided to allow small musical instruments on all flights.
"We're extremely pleased that Delta has finally responded to the needs of our members and has instituted this policy," said Thomas Lee, president of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. "We're pleased that Delta recognized that these instruments are valuable possessions and should be treated that way, and we applaud their decision."
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the AFM worked with lawmakers and airport security personnel to develop guidelines for bringing small instruments as carry-on baggage. Most airlines allowed musicians to carry on their instruments, recognizing their value, the union said in a news release Thursday.
But some airlines chose to impose their own restrictions; Delta had been the most restrictive, the union said.