Fly with it. The US models come with hard cases and if you take it on as carry-on, the flight attendants will store it in the forward hold. If you want to be on the safe side, consult with the airline first on their policies, but it's not usually a problem.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Fly with it. The US models come with hard cases and if you take it on as carry-on, the flight attendants will store it in the forward hold. If you want to be on the safe side, consult with the airline first on their policies, but it's not usually a problem.

Do they allow it on as carry-on in a hard case? I was told by an airline that if it's in a hard case, it goes in the hold. Soft case, you can carry it on...

You could consider booking a seat for it. Sounds like that would be worth it for the protection...

Speak to a different airline. ?

You also have a better chance of getting it in the forward hold if it's a shaped hard case, rather than a rectangular one. Bag only if you take it into the cabin with you.

Surely there's a courier service that will transport the guitar for you?

I have had three brand new guitars couriered from Cape Town (Somerset West, to be exact) with "Over-night express", a Gibson Les Paul Custom, a Gibson ES335 60th Anniversary, and a Fender '57 Vintage RI Strat ...., and they all arrived safe and sound the next day..... maybe just insure the guitar as a precaution.

The courier will also give you an "estimated time of delivery", and they delivered within an hour of that time!!!

Ok, so I see you are actually going to CT to check out the guitar..... well, like the guys above say, take it on the plane with you....