[Question] What is the best method to transport a delicate acoustic guitar internationally? Guitar

I'm moving my family from Canada to Australia in a couple of months, and I want to bring an acoustic guitar with me. I called it "delicate" in the post title because it has Ziricote back and side which (so I am told) is very particularly susceptible to changes in humidity and may crack if the humidity gets too low. The guitar is a high end steel string acoustic guitar and it was custom made by a local luthier. I'd dearly like to have it arrive in Australia undamaged.

We are shipping a lot of our furniture by sea, so putting it in that shipment is an option, but I have a feeling that the temperature and humidity may be highly variable during the 14 week journey to Australia. I have ample luggage allowance, but i suspect that the guitar will end up in the luggage hold if I take it as luggage when i travel. Airlines involved are American Airlines Toronto to LA, then Qantas from LA to Sydney.

I have a solid case to put it in (Hiscox) and I've travelled many times with guitars in the cargo hold of planes using that case without any issue, but all of those guitars were "disposable" in the sense that they were insured and replaceable. The guitar I'm now travelling with is insured, but more unique than other guitars I've travelled with. I'd consider purchasing a special case for the journey (up to around $500) if that would make a difference

Of course, I'll be looking at the relevant airline policies, but I don't think either of them allow guitars in the cabin unless you book a seat. Some airlines say they "might" allow them in the cabin, but in my experience the guitar ends up in the hold 50% of the time anyway, so I'd rather plan for that up front if it's a possibility.

Does anyone have any suggestions for transporting acoustic guitars like this? I'm particularly interested in tips relating to humidity control, or related to the particular airlines/routes I'll be flying, or relating to acoustic guitars made with ziricote back and sides.

Side note: On one previous journey with Thai Air from Bankok to Phuket they allowed me to take a guitar into the cabin, but they ended up storing it in a refrigerator in one of the bulkheads! The guitar came out very cold and covered in condensation. Definitely don't want shenanigans like that happening with this guitar!

Submitted May 10, 2016 at 02:51AM by spongebob http://ift.tt/1T7FfO4 Guitar