Flying with a guitar

[Lauren Morales]

Hey guys,
I will be flying this week and I want to take my guitar and the airline that I will be flying with is United Airlines. I am going to be taking an electric guitar, so if anyone knows their rules on flying instruments that would help. Also, any tips on how I should pack my guitar for flight and should I take my guitar as a carry on or send it with my suitcase? I want to keep my guitar as safe as possible and I do not want it to get damaged. Any suggestions will be helpful.
Thanks

 

[idssdi]

I’ve heard horror stories about flying with a guitar. Personally I would. Probably buy an extra seat just for my guitar
If you’re gonna send it with your suitcase I would get a flight case for your guitar. If you want to put it in a gigbag I would probably take it with me as a carry on.

 

[Ed Seith]

Do not check a musical instrument, unless you want it destroyed. In the US, it is law that they have to accommodate guitars in the passenger cabin, either in the overheads if there’s room, or in their storage near the front. Either use a hard case or a well-padded gig bag, and if you put it in overheads, keep a close eye on it while people are stowing their carry-ons. You have specific rights, because of those who bravely went before you. Know them and exercise them. Check with United on their specific policy and compliance with the law.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-issues-final-rule-regarding-air-travel-musical

 

[Noah Berends]

Loosen all your strings and put it in a well padded case or hard case. I’ve flown twice with an acoustic and both times they allowed me to put it in the coat closet near the boarding door. Some people might get a little tilted if you fill a ton of overhead space in it so you should check coat closet first, but as Ed wisely said, do not check it. It’ll get mangled down there.

 

[Filip Tomiša]

I would like to point out (although you shouldn’t worry about this) that there is a CITES law that basically says that you need some documentation if you have a rosewood guitar and you want to sell it internationally. You can have it for personal use and travel with it without a problem, only if you want to sell it internationally then you need documentation. Like I said, you shouldn’t worry about this but I thought it would be good to point this out cause I found about this very recently

 

[TheMighty Jambi]

Did someone say flying with a guitar…

 

[Gabriel Corso]

What’s up dude !!
Greetings from BRazil.
A few years ago I went on a vacation in the US and ended up buying my synyster custom at guitar center in San Diego.
I flew from San Diego to nyc with United and had no incidents whatsoever.
Of course, you must use your guitar case as your main bag and brig it with you. Do not check it in!
I Hope that I was able to help you!! Keep rocking

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

If you have a really hard case for your guitar, you can put it in the cargo. To do that, you MUST have a hard case. Otherwise, take it with you in the plane. While boarding, tell the air hostess, if she can find a free cabin to keep your guitar. Does not matter if its away from you. Make sure you put your guitar upside down in the overhead cabins (strings down) and push it to the inside of the cabins ( so that other bags can sit on that). That’s all I can say. I brought my jumbo Fender acoustic guitar from UK all the way to India, changing flights midway. Had no problem.