Can You Bring a Guitar Case on an Airplane?

Yes, with the right preparations and understanding of airline regulations, you can bring your guitar case on an airplane. This article will provide detailed guidance on how to transport your instrument safely and legally.

Understanding Regulations

The possibility of bringing a guitar case on an airplane depends on several factors, including the size of your guitar and the airline's policies. If the flight is fully booked and the overhead bins are full, you may be forced to gate-check your guitar. However, it's strongly advised to place your guitar in a hard case for protection.

The Dangers of Not Using a Case

Anyone considering carrying a guitar onto a plane without a case lacks basic common sense. The idea is silly, and it poses significant risks to your instrument. A case offers the necessary safeguard against accidental damage and the harsh realities of airline travel.

Double Neck Guitar Carry-on

For guitar enthusiasts, double neck guitars present an opportunity to pack a bass and a guitar as a single piece of carry-on luggage. This is one of the advantages of owning a double neck guitar. In fact, in 2016, a double guitar with case was filmed being unloaded from a plane at an airport in Turkey. The hard case was the exact same size, indicating the feasibility of such a setup.

Carry-on Considerations

If your guitar fits in the overhead compartment, you can bring it as one piece of carry-on luggage. However, if it does not fit, you will need to gate-check it, which means handing it off to an airline employee at the door of the plane. It will be put into the baggage hold last and retrieved first upon arrival. This process can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you have a gig to attend.

Personal Experience

I bought a guitar in Los Angeles and purchased a case with it. I checked into the airport as usual and was told to take the guitar with me. When I arrived at the plane, a cabin crew member offered to store my guitar in the locker. I accepted, and upon my return, I retrieved my guitar from the locker, collected my luggage, and proceeded through passport control before driving home. This seamless process illustrates how easy it can be to transport a guitar on an airplane with a good case.

Hard Case vs. Hardshell Case

If your guitar is particularly valuable, using a road case, specifically an Anvil-type case, is absolutely necessary. Even these cases can sustain significant damage during travel. Hardshell cases, on the other hand, are not as robust and can easily be damaged when thrown around like a football. My old Martin D-28 suffered damage from being crushed three times during three different flights in a hardshell case. The airlines replaced it three times, but I still kept my sentimental guitar.

While I was fortunate enough to get a new guitar each time, the inconvenience of having to find or borrow a replacement as an emergency measure is a real hassle, particularly when you have a gig to perform. Despite the damage, my old D-28 still sounds as wonderful as ever, thanks to the glue that held it together.

Conclusion

To conclude, bringing a guitar case on an airplane is entirely possible, but it requires proper planning and adherence to airline regulations. Using a hard case like an Anvil-type road case is highly recommended for high-value guitars to protect them from damage. While it may sound like a hassle, with careful preparation, you can safely transport your instrument without worry.