Classical guitar on a plane? Ok or bad for the guitar?

[Mickey85]

Hey guys, I'm not sure if this is the right section but I couldn't really think of an appropriate section for this topic. I'm going to overseas soon for just under 2 weeks and I wanted to bring a classical guitar with me(in hardcase). I've checked with the airline and they are cool with me bringing it onboard just as long as it's my carry on luggage. The real question is, will the high altitude, air density and temperature affect the guitar in anyway, shape or form? I have not bought a classical yet but most of them seem to have a Lacquer finish which I have heard can be cracked if on a plane? What do you guys think? If that's the case I won't bring it at all... Much appreciated.

[George Crocket]

Mickey, I moved your thread to Public Space which is probably the most appropriate forum. There are lots of threads about guitars and flying, though I am not sure if your specific question is addressed. While you are waiting for experts to respond you could try searching the forum for some of these threads.

[Mickey85]

No problem

[randalljazz]

dk about lacquer, but DO loosen your strings three or four turns...

[Les Backshall]

Not a problem in the cabin, it's pressurised and climate controlled.
A more likely issue is whether you can actually take it on board as hand luggage, despite what you have been told. I know John Zaradin, who plays on cruise ships and flies all over the place to meet up with them, had a shorter bodied guitar/case made especially, because the standard size wouldn't fit in many of the overhead lockers. So I would check this out; you wouldn't want to get to the airport and be told your guitar has to go in the hold.

Les

[Mickey85]

Not a problem in the cabin, it's pressurised and climate controlled.
A more likely issue is whether you can actually take it on board as hand luggage, despite what you have been told. I know John Zaradin, who plays on cruise ships and flies all over the place to meet up with them, had a shorter bodied guitar/case made especially, because the standard size wouldn't fit in many of the overhead lockers. So I would check this out; you wouldn't want to get to the airport and be told your guitar has to go in the hold.

Les

Hmmmm what about if it has to go in with all the big luggage in the under-compartment of the plane? I would rather not bring it at all if that's the case as the conditions and handling of the luggage would not make me feel very comfortable about the safety of the guitar...

[Beowulf]

I have taken my guitar on airline flights and it has traveled in the luggage hold without problems. However, I have a very good hard case with 1.5" of foam padding and a velvet lining and the top of the case is bowed out to prevent pressure on the top of the instrument. I would release the string tension. and one could certainly request that the airline handlers carry the instrument, rather than send it by conveyers..."Hey man, my guitar is worth $12,000!" I wonder how guitars made in Spain, Japan, Taiwan, etc., are shipped to North America by the makers? Plane? Boat?

Beowulf

[oski79]

Mickey, I'd be sure to bring along a copy of the letter or e-mail from the airline telling you it was OK. If the airline has a printed policy somewhere on their website, that would be good to have. From what I've heard, airline gate agents can be notoriously mercurial about those sorts of things, and you don't want to be in for a rude surprise when you get there and try to carry it on.

[Lovemyguitar]

I just got back from my first airline trip travelling with a guitar, and I had no problems at all, with anything. I checked it in with my luggage, and it was loaded separately with the fragile stuff, such as strollers, pets, and other instruments (I actually observed it being put on one of the planes: there were five airports and five planes involved in the entire trip). I took a fairly inexpensive laminate guitar in a good-quality hardcase designed for travel. As others have said, however you choose to do it, definitely loosen the strings.

[Tanamá]

I do travel a lot. Normally, the guitar should fit in the overhead compartments or in the coat racks. The main problem during the flight is the humidity, or the lack of it. As such a humidor will help. Try to have a wet sponge inside a plastic bag in the case; now if you can put the bag inside the soundhole better. Normally, the rougher cheaper guitars (those with laminate sides) will be more tolerant of the sudden temperature and humidity changes associated to air travel.

I've also had to check the guitar with the luggage. The problem there is the cargo handlers and the fact the temperature in the cargo compartments is not well controlled. In this case make sure the agent labels the case with some "Fragile" stickers. I've never had a problem with either option. Traveling with a beater guitar is the way to go.

If you travel from warm temperatures to a wintery weather, certainly the thermal/hygroscopic shock upon landing, could create more damage to the instrument than the commercial travel event. Crazed finish, bent neck, protruding fret ends, and swells in the soundboard are some possible consequences of not protecting the instrument.

[simonm]

I've checked with the airline and they are cool with me bringing it onboard just as long as it's my carry on luggage.

Make sure you have this in writing and make sure that it is for both directions. The airline and the airport check-in staff may have two different opinions. I get the impression that the US is more accommodating than Europe.

...The problem there is the cargo handlers ....

Remember the opening scene of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" where Jim Carey pretends to be a delivery guy bringing some glass in box marked "fragile"? Assume you guitar will be handled that way if it is out of your sight.

[Mickey85]

I do travel a lot. Normally, the guitar should fit in the overhead compartments or in the coat racks. The main problem during the flight is the humidity, or the lack of it. As such a humidor will help. Try to have a wet sponge inside a plastic bag in the case; now if you can put the bag inside the soundhole better. Normally, the rougher cheaper guitars (those with laminate sides) will be more tolerant of the sudden temperature and humidity changes associated to air travel.

I've also had to check the guitar with the luggage. The problem there is the cargo handlers and the fact the temperature in the cargo compartments is not well controlled. In this case make sure the agent labels the case with some "Fragile" stickers. I've never had a problem with either option. Traveling with a beater guitar is the way to go.

If you travel from warm temperatures to a wintery weather, certainly the thermal/hygroscopic shock upon landing, could create more damage to the instrument than the commercial travel event. Crazed finish, bent neck, protuding fret ends, and swells in the soundboard are some possible consequences of not protecting the instrument.

Some great info here and all the other posts. I'll be going from Australia to Canada in late March... So I'm guessing the weather different will be noticeable but not a day and night difference as compared to if I went in December. The guitar comes with a Humicase but I'm not sure how strong or how sufficiently it will keep the guitar at a stable humidity. How can I protect the guitar against the weather change on landing?

[LVR]

If you haven't yet bought the guitar as you indicate, may I suggest a travel or "silent" guitar. It will fit in an overhead bin and be accepted as carryon, and will be much more resistant to rough handling and temperature and humidity changes.

[Tanamá]

Mickey, I am an airline pilot, not a guitar player. I travel all over the world with my guitar, therefore I do have plenty of experience in this airline travel endeavor. First, as LVR also mentioned use a travel guitar. The high quality guitars are very feeble to the extremes of temperature and humidity changes, as compared to the more rugged laminated/beater types, trust me on this one. Second, upon landing try to protect your guitar case from any thermal shocks, there is nothing you can do about humidity shocks. For example, stay in an air conditioned area as opposed to venturing outside to wait for your ride. Third, in the hotel/house you are going to stay make sure it has a good temperature. Fourth, keep a good hydration source close to the guitar in a cold climate. I use a plastic bag with holes on the top and a wet sponge inside which I place in the soundhole. In the hotels, I also keep a moist towel close to the guitar and fill the tub with hot water from the shower. Follow these practices and you should have no major problems.

Enjoy your trip,

EGP

[Mickey85]

Mickey, I am an airline pilot, not a guitar player. I travel all over the world with my guitar, therefore I do have plenty of experience in this airline travel endeavor. First, as LVR also mentioned use a travel guitar. The high quality guitars are very feeble to the extremes of temperature and humidity changes, as compared to the more rugged laminated/beater types, trust me on this one. Second, upon landing try to protect your guitar case from any thermal shocks, there is nothing you can do about humidity shocks. For example, stay in an air conditioned area as opposed to venturing outside to wait for your ride. Third, in the hotel/house you are going to stay make sure it has a good temperature. Fourth, keep a good hydration source close to the guitar in a cold climate. I use a plastic bag with holes on the top and a wet sponge inside which I place in the soundhole. In the hotels, I also keep a moist towel close to the guitar and fill the tub with hot water from the shower. Follow these practices and you should have no major problems.

Enjoy your trip,

EGP

Thanks for the plethora of information and advice. I don't currently own a travel guitar or a classical but will be purchasing a Ramirez 125 Anos very soon. Given that that guitar may cost me a decent sum of money, I think I will just leave it at home as I don't want to risk any chance of damage....

Would a humicase eradicate most of these issues?