15 Best Guitar Flight Cases to Buy [2023]

Guitars are meant to be carried wherever you go. But traveling with a guitar by road or on an airplane is risky. In particular, air travel is riskier. What are the risks? During air travel, the guitar as luggage often gets damaged due to mishandling if not packed in a decent hard case. Preferably, a flight case can withstand such damage. 

On top of that, there are rules and regulations for air travel that apply to carrying a guitar, clearly implying that there are no substitutes for standard flight cases. So, I decided to come up with some of the best guitar flight cases you can buy now. Before we jump into the list, let’s figure out how you should choose the best one.

What to consider when buying the best guitar flight case?

• First, a durable, heavy-duty exterior guitar flight case can brace impact without damaging the guitar.
• A soft, cushiony interior that fits your guitar! (With adequate neck rest).
• A guitar flight case with a TSA-approved latching lock system would be difficult to pass through ports without one.  

Apart from that, you may look for features like spacious accessory compartments to carry all the accessories like extra strings, capos, tuners, etc., since you will be away for a long time, and a comfortable handle to carry the guitar. High-end best guitar flight cases may come with easy-glide wheels for easy maneuvering through airports and waterproof gasket seals to protect from moisture.  

So that you have the best guitar case for the next time you travel by air, I have picked the 15 best guitar flight cases you can buy in 2022. Take a peek.

How We Decided

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Rules for Flying with Guitar 

The Department of Transportation, through Section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 enabled the carrying of musical instruments on a flight. 

 “This rule requires that carriers must allow a passenger to carry into the cabin and stow a small musical instrument, such a violin or a guitar, in a suitable baggage compartment, such as the overhead bin or under the seats in accordance with FAA safety regulations. ” 

“403 of the Act and this final rule provide that carriers are required to allow passengers to stow their musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin only if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft, such stowage space is available.” With the exception of certain disability assistance devices, overhead bins or underseat stowage space is available to all passengers and crew members for their carry-on baggage on a “first come, first served” basis.”  

You can carry a guitar in the cabin too-

“We encourage passengers traveling with musical instruments to take steps to board before as many other passengers as possible to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin.”  

– Department of Transportation

There is another option, which is to purchase an extra seat! Of course, you would not spend $400 on a $100 case. It is viable for high-end and premium guitar cases ($1000 or more, maybe!)

Or, you can simply check in your guitar. There is a risk involved regarding safety. I strongly recommend choosing a strong and durable guitar flight case to avoid any damage in case of any heavy luggage pile-up or mishandling.

Pro tip 

• Consider taking lots of photographs of your guitar flight case before packing it and gearing up for the flight. It will help you claim compensation in a situation where the airline denies damage. 
• Choose your seat at the front or rear, where the closet is. You can ask the crew to put your guitar there so you can keep an eye on it. 
• To gain more insight, you may have a look at our essential flying tips.

Guitar Flight Cases Buyer’s Guide 

The best guitar flight cases are lightweight! Yes, you have heard it right. But at the same time, it must be heavily built, long-lasting, and impact resistant. It’s great if they can sustain heavy luggage pile-on. They should be hard-shell molded plastics, fiberglass, or carbon fiber made. I love scratch-resistant exteriors. Many of them are entirely waterproof, corrosion, UV, and solvent-proof. Carefully choose from the best guitar flight cases according to your need.

The interior of a best guitar flight case usually comes with a substantial material foam nest with thick plush. The idea is that the interior must fit your guitar with only a fraction of a finger loose. Protective interiors are the thing you need to make sure of before buying. Don’t forget to look up an extended neck rest for better protection. 

IMPORTANT: The hardware of the best guitar flight case must be durable, and don’t forget to buy the case with long-lasting hinges, latches, handles, and TSA-approved locks. If the case falls, heavy-duty hinges and latches keep your axe safe and secured. TSA-approved locks are useful in the event of an inspection. Within the US, it’s a norm you should follow.   

Conclusion  

The list covers cheap-to-high-end and best value-for-money best guitar flight cases. All the instrument cases include the must-have features a flight should have. Don’t forget to write to us about which guitar on our list you like the most. Thanks for reading.