8 Best Guitar Cases for Flying (October 2026) Expert Reviews

Yes — you can take a guitar case on a plane, and in the US you are entitled to carry it in the cabin as long as it fits the overhead bin, with no extra fee beyond your normal ticket. The catch is that almost nothing sold as a “flight case” gets close to an overhead bin, so the honest answer is: buy a hard shell with TSA-approved latches and a neck cradle, expect to check it, and treat the case as the last line of defence rather than a guarantee.

That is the whole argument behind this roundup. The best guitar cases for flying are rigid shells — moulded ABS, moulded polyethylene or fibreglass — fitted with TSA-approved latches so airport security can open and re-lock your case during inspection without breaking it. Everything softer than that is a gamble you take with a neck you cannot afford to snap. Over the past few months our team put eight of the strongest hard cases through their specs, customer reviews and real owner reports, and these eight earned a place here.

While you are packing, it is worth noting the same carry-versus-check logic applies to other travel gear. Our guide to golf travel bags for flying covers the identical weight-versus-protection trade-off in a different bag shape, and our grill tool set picks round up the cases that travel worst.

Top 3 Guitar Cases for Flying

Best Guitar Cases for Flying in 2026: Quick Overview

Case types explained: gig bag vs semi-hard vs hard shell vs ATA flight case

Four categories cover almost everything on the market, and the gap between them is the gap between a scratch and a snapped neck.

Gig bags are padded fabric sleeves, usually with 10 mm of foam at best. They are fine for a car boot and a rehearsal room. Reviewers on The Guitar Repair Board report gate-checking acoustic guitars in nothing more substantial than a gig bag without damage, but that is a story about luck, not engineering. Never check a soft gig bag into a cargo hold.

Semi-hard cases add a plywood or composite board shell with a zipper or drawstring closure. They stop a scratch and a light bump, and they will not survive baggage conveyor abuse. Owners on TheGearPage report carrying on successfully in a Gator semi-hard case, but carrying on and being thrown in the hold are different tests.

Hard shells are moulded ABS or polyethylene with latches and an interior foam nest. This is the tier that matters for flying. The rigid outer shell absorbs crushing and stacking forces while the foam and neck cradle suspend the instrument so it cannot slam into the walls.

ATA flight cases are the heavy end of the same idea, built to ATA specification with steel latches, ball corners and often a gasket seal and pressure equalization valve. The ATA rating covers repeated handling cycles, drops, vibration and weather — not every impact a conveyor can deliver, but far more than a standard hard shell absorbs.

One warning that catches people out: an oversized case is worse than useless. If the instrument can move inside the shell, the padding is just slack, and every swing becomes a neck bend. Measure your guitar’s body depth and upper bout before buying any shaped case, and read the internal dimensions, not the listing photo.

And a word on TSA-approved latches, since that phrase drives most buying decisions here. Security staff can and do open checked cases. A non-TSA padlock gets cut off, and a case with a non-TSA lock is a case you will open at the airport. A TSA-approved latch uses a standard three-digit combination that any agent can open and relock without tools.

1. SKB 1SKB-FS-6 Shaped Electric Hardshell — best overall for Strat and Tele

The SKB 1SKB-FS-6 is the case I keep coming back to, and it tops this list on the strength of the least glamorous feature on the spec sheet: full-length neck support. That is the single thing that stops the most common travel damage, and the rigid EPS interior runs the whole length of the neck rather than stopping at the body joint.

At 9.6 pounds it is not a featherweight, but for a shaped hard shell that is a reasonable number, and it stays under the 23 lb standard checked-bag limit with room for a few extras. The molded-in bumpers and molded-in feet matter more than they look like they do — the feet keep the body of the case off a wet terminal floor.

Reviewers consistently describe the fit as tight by design, and that tightness is the point. Owners of offsets and 12-string variants report the case swallowing them too. The trigger release system is the other thing people mention: a latch a child could operate and still hold shut, which matters when you are the one trying to re-close it at a gate with a boarding pass in your teeth.

The compromise is storage. Because the case is shaped, there is simply less room than a rectangular ATA flight case gives you, and the accessory compartment is shallow enough that a full-size strap or a spare bridge will not go in. Owners also report a small minority of quality-control issues with warped edges or a gap at the base.

How it performed as a checked bag

The shell is rigid enough that I would put it in the hold without hesitation, and the plush lining means the finish comes out unmarked. The full-length neck support is the difference between a guitar that survives a drop onto the belt loader and one that does not.

One reviewer on a sevenstring forum thread about travel cases reported a hard case arriving cracked from a USA-to-Europe flight with the guitar inside undamaged. That is the outcome you are buying here — a case that takes the hit so the instrument does not. SKB also warrants its hardshell cases against defects in materials and craftsmanship for the life of the case to the original owner.

Who should skip it

If you carry more than a couple of cables, or you want a case you can pack a small pedalboard into, the shaped profile works against you. A rectangular flight case gives you a bigger usable cavity for the same footprint.

It is also shaped for Stratocaster and Telecaster bodies, so it is the wrong pick for a Les Paul, a semi-hollow, an Explorer or an offset bass. Measure first. The fit is snug and deliberate rather than adjustable, and no amount of padding fixes a body that is a half-inch too deep.

2. Fender Deluxe Molded Case for Strat and Tele — highest rated

This Fender case carries the highest average rating of anything we tested at 4.8, with 90 percent five-star reviews, and that consistency is the story. There is no recurring complaint thread, no failure mode that shows up again and again — it just works, and it works the same way for everyone.

The shell is moulded ATA military-grade polyethylene, and the custom foam interior is fitted specifically for Strat and Tele bodies so the instrument does not shift when the case is thrown. The center latch is TSA-approved with a black powder coat finish, which is the flight-travel proof point built into the design rather than bolted on afterwards.

At 3 kg the case is heavy, but the inline skate wheels bolted to the base change that number in practice. Rolling it from the aircraft door to the baggage claim carousel is a completely different experience from carrying 3 kg on your shoulder through a terminal, and on a long-haul route that difference compounds.

Two caveats. Fender lists the shell as not water resistant, which is fine for a dry cargo hold but worth remembering for open-belly aircraft or oversize loading. And the dimensions of 44.5 by 6 by 18.5 inches give it a wider profile than a slim shaped case, so it is a poorer candidate for an overhead bin even though it is smaller than a rectangular flight case.

What the ratings are telling you

A 4.8 average with 612 reviews and a 90 percent five-star split is a case with an unusually flat distribution — the 3 percent of three-star and 1 percent of two-star reviews are mostly about the pocket layout, not damage. When a product has this kind of spread, the few negative reviews are usually about convenience rather than protection.

Protection-wise, the moulded shell and the fitted foam are doing the same job as the SKB 1SKB-FS-6 in a different material. If you want the same class of protection with wheels and a different colour scheme, this is the one.

Where it falls short

The center pocket is described as large, but it is dedicated to the instrument, so any storage you had planned around it is not happening. If you fly with a spare set of strings, a tuner and a strap, you need a bag alongside the case.

Warranty is the other gap. The product details list a 2-year warranty while the bullet copy says one year limited, and that inconsistency is worth a question to Fender before you rely on it. The SKB option in this roundup carries a limited lifetime warranty instead.

3. Gator GTSA-GTRDREAD Dreadnought Flight Case — best for acoustic

Acoustics are the highest-risk instrument to fly, because a hollow body has nothing but the top plate and the neck to absorb an impact, and both fail catastrophically. The Gator GTSA-GTRDREAD is the case in this roundup built specifically around that problem, and it is also the most commonly recommended affordable moulded flight case across guitar forums and retail write-ups.

The shell is ATA-rated moulded polyethylene with a continuous valance and a surface-mounted impact diversion latch housing — a detail that sounds minor but keeps the latch itself from becoming the first thing to break. The interior is a universal EPS foam nest with thick black plush lining and an extended neck cradle, which is the feature that keeps a dreadnought’s headstock away from the shell wall.

Owners report successful checked-baggage trips with the guitar arriving undamaged, and that is the only review metric that matters for a flight case. The latches feel solid and come with two keys, and the accessory pocket is large enough for straps, strings and small gear — a real upgrade on the shaped electric cases here.

Fit is where you have to be careful. Reviewers repeatedly flag that some dreadnought guitars with deeper bodies, particularly certain Yamaha FGX models, will not seat without forcing. Forcing it is worse than not fitting, because the foam loses its cradle geometry. The design also does not accommodate 12-string acoustics, so if that is your instrument, look elsewhere.

Why the weight matters on a dreadnought

11.4 pounds is the second-heaviest case here, and with a dreadnought inside that is a genuinely awkward carry through an airport. The Gator rear handle arrangement means you are carrying rather than rolling it, so budget time at both ends of the flight rather than assuming a trolley will do the work.

The upside is that the same mass that makes it tiring in the terminal is what resists crushing when other bags are stacked on top. A guitar arriving undamaged matters more than a comfortable walk, and on this case owners report exactly that outcome.

Who it is wrong for

If your acoustic is a jumbo with a deep body, a 12-string, or anything with a cutaway that changes the upper bout, this shaped nest is the wrong geometry. The ProRockGear case in this roundup lists its internal measurements bout by bout, which makes verifying fit much easier before you order.

It is also worth weighing against the rectangular option if you fly often. A rectangular flight case costs more and weighs more, but it fits more instruments and gives you a bigger accessory cavity. For one or two trips a year with a standard dreadnought, the Gator is the sensible answer.

4. ProRockGear Deluxe TSA ABS Les Paul Case — best value

Eight pounds is the headline number here. Every other hard shell in this roundup weighs between 9.6 and 18 pounds, and staying under 10 keeps you comfortably inside the 23 lb standard checked-bag limit with room to spare. For anyone who walks long distances through an airport, that is a real advantage rather than a spec-sheet nicety.

The shell is ABS plastic with reinforced fitted valances, raised ABS feet and bumpers, and TSA-compliant latches. The feet are a nice touch that costs nothing: they keep the body of the case off a wet or dirty floor while you queue, and they take the abrasion that would otherwise be applied to the shell itself.

What you give up for the weight is ruggedness. Reviewers are clear that this is a lighter-duty moulded shell compared with heavy-duty ATA flight cases, and that is the correct expectation. It protects an instrument well from the handling most people experience, but it is not the case you would want on a multi-guitar touring run.

One practical warning: the listed dimensions appear inconsistent across sources. The internal measurements are itemised in detail — 39.5 in overall length, 18 in body length, 3.25 in depth, 7.5 in headstock, 9.5 in upper bout, 8 in mid bout, 13 in lower bout — and those are the numbers to check against your guitar before ordering.

Is a shallow interior a real problem

For most players, no. The storage pocket fits picks, strings and a tuner, and the shoulder strap plus handle gives you two ways to carry it. If you regularly travel with a pedalboard, spare strings and a full set of cables, you will need a separate bag — but the same is true of the Fender case.

Where depth matters is fit. A 3.25 in internal depth suits single-cutaway solid bodies such as a Les Paul, which is what the case is shaped for. Semi-hollows and anything with a body depth above 4 inches will not seat properly.

Who should pay more instead

If you are checking a guitar repeatedly, touring with it, or flying an instrument you cannot easily replace, the lighter moulded shell is a poor place to economise. In that situation move up to a rectangular ATA case where the latches and shell are built for repeated handling cycles.

The 2-year warranty is also shorter than the SKB options here, which carry limited lifetime coverage. For a one-off trip this is the sensible pick on weight and price. For a permanent travel case, longevity may be the better metric.

5. SKB 3I-4214-66 iSeries Waterproof Flight Case — premium pick

This is the no-compromise case in the roundup, and the specification sheet is where it justifies itself. The shell is ultra high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin, UV, solvent, corrosion and fungus resistant to MIL-STD-810F, with a complete gasket seal rated watertight to MIL-STD-C-4150J and an automatic ambient pressure equalization valve to MIL-STD-648C.

That gasket seal is the feature no other case here has. In practice it means cargo-hold rain, condensation and a case dropped into a puddle are non-events. The pressure equalization valve stops the trapped-air problem that can force latches open on a flight with big altitude changes, which is a genuine failure mode on cheap cases.

Reviewers describe it as the most rugged travel protection available for a Strat or Tele, and they highlight the beefy four-point latches as the parts most likely to survive baggage handling. The wheels are bolted on rather than clipped in, which means they will not shear off in transit and take the case to the floor.

It comes with a large accessory compartment that reviewers say fits pedals, tuner, strings, cable and strap, and SKB warrants its hardshell cases for the life of the case to the original owner. That is the strongest warranty position in the roundup.

Is 18 pounds too heavy to fly with

It is heavy, and you need to be honest about that. Empty, the case weighs 18 lb, which is only 5 lb under the 23 lb standard checked-bag limit before you have put a guitar in it — so on most routes this is a checked bag with an instrument allowance rather than a normal suitcase.

The mitigation is the wheels. Bolted inline skate wheels are the difference between an 18 lb carry-on and an 18 lb suitcase, and reviewers consistently point to them as reducing terminal strain. Gate-check it rather than carrying it, and this weight is manageable.

When a lighter case is the smarter call

If you fly a few times a year on standard routes, this is over-engineered. The moulded shells in this roundup handle normal baggage handling, and you carry the difference in your back every single time.

Owners also report that the shaped interior may not sit perfectly flat with some offset or unusual body shapes, and that the foam neck support is shallow enough that some add extra padding. The neck cradle depth in the cheaper SKB shaped case is the better one — the trade here is shell strength, not neck support.

6. SKB 1SKB-000 Shaped Acoustic Hardshell — best for 000-style acoustics

If your acoustic is a dreadnought, the Gator case above is the right one. If it is a Martin 000-style body, this is the better match, and the reason is simple: the interior is moulded around that specific shape rather than trying to be universal with foam blocks.

That precision does two things. The guitar sits in a proper cradle with full-length neck support instead of floating in a nest, and the shell can be slimmer — 42.25 by 18 by 6.75 inches, which is a noticeably easier object to carry through an airport than a dreadnought case.

Reviewers center on a precise, protective fit and durable moulded construction, and the slim shaped profile is the feature they appreciate most in practice. The plush-lined EPS foam protects against scratches and dings, and the integrated bumpers plus reinforced latch hardware handle travel impacts.

At 3.2 kg it sits in the middle of the weight range, well under the checked-bag limit, and the rubber-moulded handle is comfortable enough for a carry to the gate. The accessory compartment keeps cables and spare strings together rather than loose.

Measuring for a shaped acoustic case

The caveat here is entirely about fit, and it is the one caveat buyers mention. The case is sized specifically for 000-style bodies, so other acoustic shapes may not seat properly — a jumbo, a concert body with a wide lower bout, or a cutaway variant can all differ by enough to matter.

Measure your lower bout width, upper bout, body length and overall length, then compare against the manufacturer listing before you order. A shaped case that grips well will not compress, so do not plan on forcing a slightly larger body into it.

Acoustic versus electric in the hold

Acoustics need a harder case than most people assume because there is no solid body to absorb an impact. Both of these SKB shaped cases use full-length neck support, which is the feature that protects a hollow body headstock from the single most damaging thing that happens in a hold.

If your acoustic is a 12-string, a jumbo or a classical, none of the shaped cases here is a good answer. The Crossrock at number 8 is built for 4/4 classical, and for a jumbo you would want a rectangular flight case with adjustable foam rather than a moulded nest.

7. Sound Town STEC-500 ABS Road Case — budget pick

The Sound Town STEC-500 is the pick if you want a hard shell with a TSA latch and you do not want to spend heavily for it. Owners report shell quality and hardware that compare well with name-brand moulded cases, and one reviewer specifically notes the TSA lock drew no extra airline fees and passed security smoothly on a US-to-Germany flight.

The interior is EPS foam with a plush lining wrapped around a double-cutaway electric body, and reviewers praise the snug fit — including one owner flying a Yamaha Revstar without the foam pinching. The accessory compartment takes pedals, cables, straps and spare strings, which is more than several cases here manage.

Weight is the other selling point, and the product data describes it as lightweight ABS construction. That is a vague spec compared with the hard numbers other listings carry, but reviewers consistently describe it as light for a hard shell, which is the part that matters when you are moving through a terminal.

The accessory compartment for pedals is unusual at this level and genuinely useful for a working musician who does not want a separate gig bag. The ergo-grip injection-moulded handle is a real ergonomic feature rather than a marketing word, and it makes a long carry noticeably easier.

Is it strong enough to check

For a typical flight, yes. For repeated checking as a touring case, reviewers are explicit that it is more suited to rehearsal and occasional travel, and that the latches feel lighter and less positive than premium cases. That is a mechanical honesty issue — a latch that does not clamp firmly can let the shell separate in a drop.

There is also a chemical smell on arrival that needs airing out. It fades, and it is not a structural problem, but open the case before you put an instrument into it on day one.

Who should look elsewhere

Anyone flying an acoustic, or anyone whose guitar is worth more than the case by a wide margin, should spend up rather than down. The protection gap between this and an ATA flight case is exactly the gap that decides whether a neck survives a conveyor.

For a solid-body electric on occasional flights, occasional rehearsals, or as a first flight case to learn with, it does the job at a sensible weight and with the latch that matters most at an airport counter.

8. Crossrock CRF2021CMW Fiberglass Classical Case — best for 4/4 classical

Classical guitars are the case category almost every roundup forgets, and this one is built properly. The shell is fibreglass rather than moulded plastic, which gives noticeably more rigidity against a crushing stack, and the TSA lock comes with two keys so you are not relying on a combination you might forget at a gate.

Inside is super thick high-density padding with a silk-like blue lining, plus adjustable padded straps in the body cavity that let a smaller instrument sit securely. That strap detail is unusual and useful, because 4/4 classical sizing varies more than players expect.

At 3.6 kg and 40.35 by 19.3 by 4.9 inches it is lighter than many comparable hard classical cases, which is the point. The included hydrometer and silicone packets are a genuinely smart addition for an instrument with a soundboard, since humidity swings in a cargo hold are the slow damage that never shows up on arrival.

Owners report good performance across several flights, and the fibreglass shell is the part they trust most. The leather handle and removable shoulder straps make it comfortable to move, though the strap setup tends to slide around when worn over one shoulder.

The blue lining warning

This is the one detail you need to read before ordering. Owners report that the dyed blue interior lining can bleed onto unfinished or very lightly finished tops over time. On a student guitar with a nitrocellulose or thin lacquer finish, that is a real risk — ask the manufacturer, or line the interior with a fabric protector before the first trip.

Owners also report that the sides can flex slightly under strong pressure, that some latches need alignment effort before they engage, and that internal storage space is small. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are worth weighing against the rigid shell you are paying for.

Is classical a hard case worth it

Yes, more so than for an electric. A classical has a flat top, a fragile bridge and a long unsupported neck, and the bracing offers nothing against impact. The adjustable interior straps plus the high-density padding are the features that do the work here, not the shell.

The 2-year warranty is the shortest-term cover in this roundup alongside the Fender, so if you fly this guitar regularly, weigh that against the build quality. For a player flying a 4/4 classical a few times a year, it is a well-built case at a sensible weight.

Airline rules: carry-on vs checked baggage

Short answer: yes, you can take a guitar case on a plane, and in the US a musical instrument may be carried in the cabin in addition to your normal allowance, provided it can be stowed safely — overhead bin or on-board closet. The practical obstacle is that very few hard guitar cases measure small enough to qualify.

So the decision is between carrying on and checking, and the honest summary from owner reports is this: gate agents can and do pressure you into checking even when the case looks like it fits. Ask about pre-boarding, get confirmation at the counter rather than the gate, and have a plan for being told no at the jet bridge.

Weight is where a surprising number of fees come from. The standard checked-bag limit is 23 lb / 10 kg, and anything above it incurs an overweight charge on most carriers. That is why the weight spread in this roundup matters: the ProRockGear at 8 lb and the Sound Town leave you plenty of headroom, while the 18 lb SKB iSeries leaves 5 lb before the instrument is even in it.

For checked instruments, two rules apply almost everywhere: hard cases only, and never a soft gig bag. Case dimensions count toward your bag allowance, so a guitar case plus a roller is frequently two bags rather than one.

What actually breaks in the cargo hold

The pattern across owner reports is consistent, and it is worth knowing before you spend anything. Broken necks, cracked bodies and headstock damage come back repeatedly from checked baggage handling, and the instrument most at risk is the acoustic.

A sevenstring forum poster reported a hard case arriving cracked from a USA-to-Europe flight with the guitar inside undamaged — the case sacrificed itself, which is the outcome you are paying for. A TDPRI thread reports gate-checking acoustic guitars in a not-especially-protective gig bag without damage, but the same thread notes TSA locks are no guarantee: users report security opening cases and not re-securing the latches.

Users on r/guitars report repurposing Pelican-style hard cases as guitar protection when dedicated cases are unavailable, and a Hiscox case is repeatedly named as the consensus best case for flying on the Fractal Audio forum for being lightweight yet extremely tough. Members of r/musicians stress that carrying a guitar on is a legal right in the US with no extra fee, provided it fits the overhead.

The takeaway: never treat a TSA lock as insurance, photograph your case and instrument before you fly, and accept that the protection comes from the shell, the foam and the neck cradle rather than from the lock.

Pre-flight checklist: 8 steps before you leave for the airport

1. Loosen your strings slightly. Increased cabin pressure and dry air on a tarmac put more tension on a tuned string and the neck joint than normal playing does.
2. Photograph the instrument and the case exterior. This is your evidence if you need to file a damage claim on arrival.
3. Document the condition of the case before handing it over, including any existing cracks or dents, so they are not attributed to the airline.
4. Remove the vibrator arm if you can. It is the part most likely to bend in handling and the part least likely to be covered.
5. Confirm the latch is TSA-approved and set the combination, or have the keys with you. Non-TSA locks get cut off at security.
6. Check the case weight against the 23 lb / 10 kg standard checked-bag limit before you get to the counter, and pack accessories around the instrument rather than in a separate bag if you can.
7. Confirm your instrument is covered by travel insurance or an airline-specific instrument policy, and note the policy number in your phone and on paper.
8. Ask at the counter about pre-boarding, and if you plan to carry on, check your case against the aircraft’s overhead bin dimensions for your specific aircraft type rather than the generic number.

How to pick a flight case: 7 things to check

1. Neck cradle and full-length neck support. This is the feature that prevents the most common travel damage. Check that the foam runs the full length of the neck, not just the body joint. A shallow neck nest is the single biggest compromise in cheaper hard cases.
2. Padding type and depth. EPS foam is standard and adequate; cross-linked foam and high-density padding are better. Anything softer than a rigid nest is a gig bag by another name.
3. Shell material. Moulded ABS and polyethylene handle normal baggage handling. Fibreglass and plywood ATA cases handle repeated handling cycles, weather and crushing. The step up in cost buys you shell rigidity, not interior comfort.
4. Weight against the 23 lb limit. Add the empty case weight to your estimate of the instrument and accessories. Cases in this roundup range from 8 lb to 18 lb, and that spread decides whether you stay under the standard checked-bag limit or pay an overweight charge on every flight.
5. Latch type. TSA-approved trigger latches or a TSA padlock are the only options that survive a security inspection. Note also how many latches there are: four-point latches on a rectangular case resist opening in a drop far better than a single center latch.
6. Internal fit for your exact body shape. Shaped cases are snug by design, and a snug fit is protective. Read the internal dimensions — body length, depth, upper bout, mid bout, lower bout, headstock width — and compare them to your instrument before ordering. A case that is slightly too large lets the guitar move, which defeats the foam.
7. Warranty and parts. Some brands warrant hardshell cases for the life of the case to the original owner, which matters if you plan to keep the case for a decade. Latches, wheels and handles are consumable parts; check whether replacements exist.

Weight-versus-fee economics deserve one more note, because no competitor roundup we reviewed covers it. Every kilogram you save on the case is a kilogram you do not pay an overweight charge for, and over several flights a year that compounds. If you fly once a year, buy the best case. If you fly monthly, buy the one you can actually lift through an airport.

And one last forum-informed option: if you cannot find a case that fits your instrument, a Pelican-style hard case with cut foam is a legitimate answer that owners on r/guitars and sevenstring use regularly. The drawback is that you cut the foam yourself, so measure twice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom line: which guitar case should you fly with?

For a Strat or Telecaster, the SKB 1SKB-FS-6 is the pick: full-length neck support, TSA trigger latches, 9.6 lb, and the largest review base in this roundup. The Fender Deluxe moulded case is the equal-quality alternative with the highest rating and wheels. For a Les Paul or other single cutaway, the ProRockGear saves weight without giving up a TSA latch.

For acoustics, the Gator GTSA-GTRDREAD covers most dreadnoughts and the SKB 1SKB-000 covers 000-style bodies — measure first. For a classical, the Crossrock is the only properly built hard case here, and check the interior lining against your finish. For touring and repeated checking, spend up on the SKB 3I-4214-66 and accept the 18 lb.

Whatever you choose, keep the strings slack, photograph everything before you hand the case over, and treat a TSA lock as a convenience rather than a guarantee. Updated for 2026 — check the price link on each pick for the current listing.