When traveling with your guitar via airplanes, you want an
airline that lets you carry your guitar onboard the plane and
store it in the overhead bins. Some airlines won't let you do
that, however.
Some airlines require a "gate check" which means
exactly as it sounds, you check your guitar at the gate and your
guitar gets carried to the storage hold along with baby strollers
and like items. While your guitar still gets stored down in the
airplane's cargo hold, this option avoids the conveyor belt (and
the grumpy baggage handlers) altogether, which is where most
of the mishandling damage occurs.
Other airlines are adamant that you check your guitar in and
they claim no responsibility over any damage that might occur.
In my opinion, it's best to just avoid patronizing these airlines.
This is a list that I'm starting to help out fellow guitarists
who plan to fly with their instruments. The ones currently listed
are based on my own experience and a couple of others. Do send
an email
if you want to share your own experience with an airline not
listed here.
AIRLINES ALLOWING GUITARS TO BE CARRIED ON:
American
Airlines
Southwest
Airlines
United Airlines
AIRLINES GATE-CHECKING GUITARS:
America
West
US Air
AIRLINES CHECKING GUITARS:
Continental
Delta
OTHER GUITAR-RELATED TRAVEL LINKS
Frets.com: How to travel on an airplane w/your guitar
Acoustic Guitar Magazine Duscussion Forum:
Flying with your guitar