Flying with a guitar makes a lot of players nervous, and understandably so. With a bit of preparation, though, it's genuinely manageable. Here's how to give your guitar the best chance of arriving exactly as it left.

Carry-on if you can

Bringing your guitar into the cabin is by far the safest option if it's allowed. Airline policies vary considerably, some accommodate guitars in overhead lockers depending on the aircraft and how empty the flight is, others don't. Check your specific airline's musical instrument policy before you fly, and consider booking early boarding if it's available, since overhead space fills up fast.

If you have to check it

A hard case is essential if your guitar is going in the hold. A gig bag or soft case offers nowhere near enough protection against the rough handling checked luggage can receive. Loosen the strings slightly before checking a guitar, which reduces tension-related stress on the neck if the case gets knocked around or experiences pressure changes in the hold.

Pack the case properly

The same "avoid the void" principle that applies to shipping a guitar applies here too. Fill any empty space inside the case with soft padding so the guitar can't shift around during handling, and make sure the case itself closes and latches securely before it goes anywhere near a baggage handler.

Consider buying a seat

For a particularly valuable or irreplaceable instrument, some airlines allow you to purchase an extra seat specifically for a guitar, effectively treating it as a passenger. It's an added cost, but for the right guitar, it removes checked-baggage risk entirely.

Label it clearly

Attach your contact details clearly to both the outside and inside of the case, so it can be reunited with you quickly if it's ever separated from you during transit.

After you land

If your guitar has travelled through a pressurised, air-conditioned cargo hold or a very different climate to where you're headed, give it time to acclimate in its closed case before opening it up, following the same principle covered in our guide to caring for your guitar in Australia's climate.

The bottom line

Flying with a guitar is routine for touring musicians the world over, and it's genuinely manageable with the right preparation. Know your airline's policy in advance, use a proper hard case if checking it, and pack it carefully, and the odds of a safe arrival are firmly in your favour.