What Precautions Should You Take to Fly with Your Guitar with Total Peace of Mind?

Travelling with a guitar on a plane is risky. This stringed instrument is fragile, so you need to take a few precautions to make sure your guitar arrives at its destination in one piece. What should you actually do? If that’s the question on your mind right now, you’ll find clear answers in the tips below.

Take out insurance

You can relax by playing the guitar. That may be one of the reasons you want to travel with this beautiful stringed instrument. One of the smartest things you can do before your trip is to insure it. That way, if anything happens, you’ll be compensated. Just don’t forget to notify your insurer before you board.

They’ll be able to share helpful advice and, if something goes wrong, step in when you file a claim. But insurance alone isn’t enough. If you care about your instrument (and you probably do), it’s best to do everything you can so it arrives safely. The tips below will help.

Choose a travel guitar

Start by choosing the right guitar for travel. Ideally, it should be compact and easy to carry, so it won’t get in your way at the airport or when you hop in a taxi. Pay close attention to the size and shape of the instrument.

If it matches standard carry-on dimensions, that’s perfect. Also consider the guitar’s weight—lighter is better. Before you commit, make sure you like its tone so you won’t be disappointed when it’s time to play.

Always loosen the strings

A guitar is fragile—you already know that. It’s even more vulnerable when the strings are under high tension. Those strings are what make your notes ring out, but are you planning to play mid-flight? Probably not. So there’s no point keeping them tightened. It’s strongly recommended to loosen the strings before boarding. Do that, and you’re far more likely to land with every string intact.

Use a humidifier

Your strings should be intact when you get off the plane, and the same goes for the guitar neck. Keep in mind that temperature and pressure aren’t constant in the baggage compartment—and conditions can fluctuate in the cabin, too.

Those changes can affect the neck of your instrument. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a humidifier in the case, so you can travel with real peace of mind. But that’s not all!

Choosing the right case

Choosing the right guitar case is the best way to keep it protected during travel. The case shouldn’t be soft—it should be made from sturdy materials. That way, even if someone bumps into you while you're on the move, your guitar is much less likely to be damaged.

Avoid overly bulky cases, too. A case that’s too large or too heavy can make getting around a hassle. Instead, go for a reasonably sized case made from materials that are both durable and lightweight. That way, travelling with your guitar stays easy.

A well-filled guitar case

When it comes to the case you put your guitar in, make sure there are no empty spaces inside. The jolts and bumps of air travel can damage your instrument if it’s not properly supported.

But that’s why you put it in the case, you might say—and you’d be right. The issue is that if there’s empty space, your guitar can shift around. Strings can snap. So it’s best to fill any gaps. It’s a great spot for socks, T-shirts, towels, and other soft items.

Be careful! Don’t put any solid or hard objects in there! Otherwise, you’ll regret bringing your guitar at all. Also remember that before your insurer compensates you, they’ll ask how the damage happened. Don’t give them any reason to claim it was your fault. If there’s anything you can do to prevent damage, do it.

Don't put it in the hold

Airlines will often require you to place your guitar in the cargo hold. That’s rarely a good idea—it can get damaged fast. The ideal option is to keep it with you, but that usually means paying for an extra seat.

Yes, the airline needs the revenue and won’t want to give up a seat. Imagine if everyone did the same. However, if you can’t afford an extra seat, you may still be able to bring it into the cabin.

Make sure it’s secure in its case. Before departure day, contact the airline—they’ll tell you exactly what to do to keep your instrument with you. Doing this ahead of time helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. Airlines that respect musicians will make the process much easier.

Final details

On top of all these precautions, don’t forget to photograph your guitar before you travel. That way, when you arrive, you can easily prove its condition before the flight. Take the photos after it’s in its case, with the strings loosened and cushioned by a few items of clothing.

This makes it easier to show your insurer you took the right steps to prevent damage. Finally, always keep a copy of the purchase invoice for your stringed instrument on you. With these documents, the police can help you recover it in case of theft.

See also our tips for choosing the right piano. This will help you avoid choosing the wrong musical instrument.