Guitar-Friendly Airlines A Guide to Air Travel with your Guitar by Perf De Castro

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