Can I bring a guitar as a carry on?

Question

I will be flying on an international flight. Can I bring my guitar as carry on or do I need to check it? Does it have to be in a hard case or will a soft one be okay?

Answer 1

I don't think you would be able to bring that as a carry on, I would check it. A carry on can only be so big and it has to be able to fit under the seat in front of you or fit in the overhead bin. I would check it if I were you, and make sure it is in a hard case to make sure it wont get damaged, but you could put it in a soft case if you really wanted to!

Happy Travels!

Answer 2

Unfortunately unless its a really small guitar they will make you check it because it doesn't fit the size requirement of a carry-on. If i were you pack the inside of your guitar with bubble rap or peanuts so that it doesn't move around in the case and get broken or damaged. And let me tell you the airline won't pay for it if it does get damaged so take all the precautions. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news but thats how the airline business works.

And P.S. hard case you don't want to take the chance...

Answer 3

You have to check it.  If you value your instrument, I would go with a hard case.

Answer 4

Check probably.

And, hard case.

Answer 5

i flew with a guitar a few times...i took it as a carry on..i wouldnt trust them with it lol...plus my case is soft ...i never had any problems with taking it as a carry on and it fits quite nicely in the above head compartments, you just have to make sure no one puts their bags over it...on my last flight i was looking for candy in my backpack which was under my guitar...and then all of a sudden the guitar fell from the compartment on the guy sleeping underneath XD i still remember everything in slow motion :)