What is the difference between CBBG and EXST?

CBBG stands for Cabin Baggage and is primarily used by easyJet and KLM. EXST stands for Extra Seat and is the standard code at Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Eurowings), Air France, and many other airlines. Both mean the same thing: an additional seat for an instrument or piece of luggage in the cabin. The difference is in the booking system and the name — the function is identical.

Can I book an extra seat online?

With most airlines, no. Only easyJet offers a direct online booking for the extra seat (as CBBG). With Lufthansa, SWISS, British Airways, KLM, and almost all other airlines, you need to call the Service Center or book through a travel agency. Booking online for two seats under your own name does not give you a confirmed extra seat for the instrument.

How much does an extra seat cost?

Typically, you pay the regular seat price of the booked fare class. Some airlines waive airport taxes on the extra seat (since no passenger sits on it), others don't. To be safe, budget for the full ticket price. On long-haul flights, an extra seat in economy can easily cost EUR 400-800 — on short-haul, more like EUR 50-200.

Which instruments need an extra seat?

Any instrument that doesn't fit in the overhead bin but can be strapped to an aircraft seat. This mainly includes: cello, viola (in a hard case), large acoustic guitars in hard cases, harp (lever harp), and some brass instruments in flight cases. Smaller instruments (violin, flute, clarinet) fit as carry-on in the overhead bin and don't need an extra seat.

What if the airline can't confirm the extra seat?

If no seats are available, you can't book an extra seat. Alternatives: choose a different flight, switch to another airline, or (as a last resort) check the instrument as special baggage in the cargo hold. For valuable instruments, the cargo hold is not recommended — better to change the flight.

Knowledge

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Extra Seat Booking for Instruments

CBBG, EXST, Extra Seat — every airline calls it something different. The concept is the same: an additional seat in the cabin where your instrument travels strapped in. This article explains how it works and what applies at which airline.

What is an Extra Seat?

An extra seat is a second seat that you book for your instrument. The instrument then travels in the cabin — strapped to the seat next to you. This is the safest transport method for large instruments like cello, viola in a hard case, or large guitars: no cargo hold, no temperature fluctuations, no risk from baggage handling.

Airlines use different codes and terms for this service:

CBBG — Cabin Baggage. Used primarily by easyJet and KLM. The instrument is transported as cabin baggage on an extra seat.
EXST — Extra Seat. The standard code at Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Eurowings), Air France, and many others. A full seat for the instrument.
Extra Seat — The general English term used by British Airways, SAS, and others.

Regardless of the name: the function is identical. You pay for a second seat, and your instrument flies safely beside you.

Why is it called differently at every airline?

The aviation industry works with standardized codes from the IATA reservation system. EXST (Extra Seat) and CBBG (Cabin Baggage) are such codes — but not every airline uses the same one. The reservation system (Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo) and the internal fare structure determine which code is used. For you as a musician, this means: you need to know the correct term for your airline, otherwise the Service Center won't understand what you want.

Airline Overview: Terms and Booking Methods

Airline	Term	Booking Method
easyJet	CBBG (Cabin Baggage)	Online in booking flow
Lufthansa	EXST (Extra Seat)	Service Center (phone)
SWISS	EXST (Extra Seat)	Travel agency or Service Center
Austrian	EXST (Extra Seat)	Service Center (phone)
British Airways	Extra Seat	Phone (subject to availability)
KLM	CBBG (Cabin Baggage)	Service Center (phone)
Air France	EXST (Extra Seat)	Service Center (phone)
Eurowings	EXST (Extra Seat)	Service Center (phone)
SAS	Extra Seat	Customer service (phone)
Ryanair	— (not available)	No extra seat option
Wizz Air	— (not available)	No extra seat option

As of July 2026. Information without guarantee.

Common Mistakes

Most problems with extra seats come not from airline rules, but from booking errors. The most frequent:

Booking online and hoping it works

Only easyJet offers a direct online booking. With all other airlines, you need to call or book through a travel agency. Booking two seats online under your own name does not give you a confirmed extra seat for the instrument.
Booking too late

Extra seats depend on availability. Full flights have none. Book as early as possible — ideally at the same time as your own ticket.
No written confirmation

Phone calls get forgotten. Without written confirmation (email, PNR printout), you're in a weaker position at the gate. Insist on confirmation by email.
Using the wrong term

"I need a seat for my cello" is understandable but imprecise. Say: "I'd like to book an EXST for a musical instrument" (or CBBG for easyJet/KLM). This speeds up the process considerably.
Choosing Ryanair or Wizz Air

Neither Ryanair nor Wizz Air offer extra seats for instruments. If your instrument doesn't fit in the overhead bin, you have no cabin option with these airlines. Choose a different airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CBBG and EXST?: CBBG stands for Cabin Baggage and is primarily used by easyJet and KLM. EXST stands for Extra Seat and is the standard code at Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Eurowings), Air France, and many other airlines. Both mean the same thing: an additional seat for an instrument or piece of luggage in the cabin. The difference is in the booking system and the name — the function is identical.
Can I book an extra seat online?: With most airlines, no. Only easyJet offers a direct online booking for the extra seat (as CBBG). With Lufthansa, SWISS, British Airways, KLM, and almost all other airlines, you need to call the Service Center or book through a travel agency. Booking online for two seats under your own name does not give you a confirmed extra seat for the instrument.
How much does an extra seat cost?: Typically, you pay the regular seat price of the booked fare class. Some airlines waive airport taxes on the extra seat (since no passenger sits on it), others don't. To be safe, budget for the full ticket price. On long-haul flights, an extra seat in economy can easily cost EUR 400-800 — on short-haul, more like EUR 50-200.
Which instruments need an extra seat?: Any instrument that doesn't fit in the overhead bin but can be strapped to an aircraft seat. This mainly includes: cello, viola (in a hard case), large acoustic guitars in hard cases, harp (lever harp), and some brass instruments in flight cases. Smaller instruments (violin, flute, clarinet) fit as carry-on in the overhead bin and don't need an extra seat.
What if the airline can't confirm the extra seat?: If no seats are available, you can't book an extra seat. Alternatives: choose a different flight, switch to another airline, or (as a last resort) check the instrument as special baggage in the cargo hold. For valuable instruments, the cargo hold is not recommended — better to change the flight.

Related Guides

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