Flying with guitars - flight case recommendations?

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Random Hero

Random Hero

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I have a gig overseas in around three weeks time and I'm wondering how I'm gonna get my guitar there. I've been looking into flight cases and I'm basically looking for recommendations. I know there's no guarantee the guitar still won't get treated like shit by the baggage handlers but some of these flight cases make it seem like there's a lot less chance of damage should that happen? Obviously the ideal is to carry it on in a gig bag but I can't be sure that's gonna be allowed and I'm kinda up shit creek if they make me check the guitar once I'm there with it only in a gig bag.

Thoughts?
 
Hi Hero
If you know the airlines you will be flying with check if they will allow you to take it on as 'carry on' into the plane with you, then you can use a gig bag. If they insist it has to be checked in as 'baggage' down the dreaded conveyer belt you will be needing a plastic guitar case or a full
flight case

The normal plastic guitar cases are ok but the cheap ones I would not trust to the baggage system, a full flight case will do the job no problem but they are heavy and can cost a lot in excess baggage charges. In between these two there is a new SKB waterproof case from their military 3i Series, but now they have made some guitar cases with the same spec and they will do the job, lighter and cheaper than a full flight case but just a strong, stronger than a lot of the cheaper flight cases. Not only is it waterproof it has inbuilt wheels on one end making ideal for dragging round airports. I have shown a picture of the
Gibson guitar case but other are available, one where you can cut your own shape in the foam supplied.

gibson-guitar-flight-case.jpg

les paul image
 
Cowboy up and buy an extra seat! :D

Very few here in Europe allow you to bring it on board. There are some exceptions... You might get lucky, but like you said, not worth the risk.

There a few companies in the UK that you can google. In my opinion it's worth spending money on a good flight case anyway, so I would definitely go with that.

Depending on who you are flying with you might want to check if instruments are classed as special cargo. You might get stiffed at the check in if not.
 
Ha, well, I'm not the one paying for the flights or the cargo so whilst I don't think I can go booking an extra seat, I do think it'll be ok if it costs extra to take it ;)
 
i dont know where ur going but i used to gig in the uk and states back and forth flying delta/northwest & i had a gibson lespaul with the small fitted case that they allowed on board and they put it in the coat closet MANY TIMES.... id call the airline and find out...if you have to put it in baggage you could buy one of those SKB flights w/ the big latches,i think that should do it... i dont think youll wana cart a full flight about once you have landed unless u got road crew...
there are also case makers in the uk as i have a few here at home in the states...these ones are called 5star from Ely in Cambridgeshire ...ive had these semi flight cases for almost 20yrs..tough stuff
 
what airline and where to? I've flown Lufthansa, SAS, American/KLM, to Europe never an issue with a double gig bag.
Fo Asia... Cathay going to Hong Kong, double gig bag got me looks and some BS lines never an issue. Back from Asia, I always end up having to gate check :)
In the US and Asia domestic never an issue with carry it on.
I use a mono double which has so far without the rigors of being gate checked when it had to be.
 
shit...youll be in the air 30 seconds......give BA a Call.....take it on..
 
If it's a bolt on, pull the 4 bolts and strings and toss the body/neck into a backpack. :)
 
Gainiac":189q4ozp said:
If it's a bolt on, pull the 4 bolts and strings and toss the body/neck into a backpack. :)
Click to expand...

Whilst I would like to do this as it would make life much easier, I don't fancy doing it to my Suhr :lol: :LOL: Maybe I just take the Strat with me and leave the Suhr at home...

And yeh, short flight. Like an hour and 10 mins I think?
 
Random Hero":1dnfkcij said:
I'm flying BA to Luxembourg from Heathrow, FWIW.
Click to expand...


Check with BA as there is a fair chance they will allow you to take it as cabin baggage - unlike many of the other 'airlines' flying out of the UK
 
I fly BA at least once a year from the US over to Europe and I always carry on a guitar but I am in business class and they don't argue with me at all.

I just flew from Austin to LA which is farther then the London to Luxembourg trip and I took 2 guitars. One in a flight case checked and one in a gig bag carry on. No problems at all. Regular coach/economy ticket.
 
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