If you’re a musician who simply refuses to part with your guitar, even when you’re about to embark on a long trip, we’ve got good news for you: it’s completely possible to travel with your guitar, as long as you know what you’re doing. Assuming you’re not traveling to a place where theft is rampant, and assuming the guitar you’re taking isn’t too expensive (or assuming, at the very least, that one of the two statements is true), you should be good to go! Here’s how to take a guitar on a plane.
Take It As a Personal Item
Most reputable airlines will allow you to take a guitar onto the plane as a personal item. As long as you’re able to fit all your other stuff into your luggage and carry-on, your guitar will be completely accepted on board.
Ask Them to Stow it While Boarding
When you board the plane, ask the flight attendant if they can store your guitar in one of the plane closets. There are usually closets on the aircraft intended for this exact purpose. Try to board the plane early, to make sure you secure a spot for your guitar in one of these precious spots.
If Not, Overheads Are Fine Too
If there’s no room for your guitar in the closet, have no fear! You can still put your guitar in the overhead bin, and assuming it’s not too big, it probably won’t take up too much space. You’d be surprised how easily it fits into the overheads.