Flying with a guitar

Check with the airline.
I've flown first class with Alaska and been able to "check" the guitar at the gate. It was then returned to me at the gate upon arrival. This was post 9-11, but before things were so tight.
I've "checked" guitars in flight cases numerous times, just like regular baggage.
Always domestic though.
I always tune down to "D" as well.
Again, check with the airline.
HTH

I've never actually "watched" it happen, but I've certainly seen the results!
That's a "nitro" finish! If the instrument gets cold, leave it in the case.

Good Advice timidi!

I guess I will have to
a) check with the airlines (of course I will have to take more than one just to make it more complicated)
b) avoid United (...I had a not so nice encounter before where they completely had messed up with my luggage (suit case delayed, job interview, wrong assumption about me being German and therefore living in Germany (=longer delivery time))

I like the video. Thank you all for your advice.

You can also put a gun in the case and claim the firearm when you check in the guitar at baggage claim. They will be sure to watch that case a bit better that way.

I asked just a few months ago, I was going to Hawaii on West Jet.  they told me if there is room in this little cubby they have up where they cook your meals, then it can go in there. Not all planes have this cubby. The plane I was taking didn't have it. It's only found on the bigger jets.

If it's in a gig back it might fit in the overhead and some airlines allow this , some free, some charge. You can guard it.
If you ship it , I have a friend who builds guitars and he does this without mishap. He makes a plywood/ foam lined container that surrounds the standard guitar case. His guitars sell for $4,000.

You don't mention if it's an acoustic or electric? Nor do you mention the value of the guitar? Both of those would impact your choice.

I have flown between Canada and Europe (and Australia) dozens of times along with other band members - all of us carrying instruments.  For the most part there is no problem checking guitars as you would a suitcase. They will all be considered "over-sized" and will be handled differently than standard luggage.  (over-sized does not equal more money. It just means it won't be able to be placed on the standard conveyor belt system, and needs more human interaction. Not sure if that is good or bad)

On just one occasion some of our instruments were delivered to the wrong city. We were re-united within 24 hours.

One another occasion - a nightmare! My tele was handled so hard in it's case that it snapped a tuner peg on the high E. I also had a B-Bender (hip-shot) on that tele, and the low e tuning screw and bent (anyone that owns one of these, I dare you to try and bend that screw into a 90 degree angle). The guitar itself played fine once I replaced the parts, but this case obviously took a 10 - 20 ft tumble. God Bless Fenders!

I also learned a great trick from Tele great Jerry Donahue (this will only work with electrics). When he travels he takes the neck off his guitar, and packs it in a normal suitcase surrounded with clothes. I did this for a few years, and it worked flawlessly, but of course you need to re-string it every time you fly, and I always worry that setting the neck that many times could become a problem down the road.  

My overall success has been about 90% - 95%. The problems I had were fixable, so I consider myself lucky.

If you are really worried about it, buy some 3rd party insurance. It shouldn't cost that much.
 
EDIT: I should add this. When I check my guitars in a case, the case is always padded with clothing. I wrap the headstock with a shirt or two, and stuff socks, undewear, shirts etc... thoughout the case so NOTHING can move. You especially do not want something loose (like a capo, slide, etc....) boucing around. I pack that stuff separately in my luggage.

Have you called the airline to ask about their policy & pricing for guitar handling?  Also check with UPS and FedEx to see what they charge to deliver it to you on the other end. 

I personally would feel better using a shipping service because I can buy insurance to cover damage or loss. And with very few exceptions, they get it to where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.

I have traveled to Argentina and was asked to bring my guitar. I declined to bring the guitar due to the hassle of traveling internationally with it. I simply asked my friends in Argentina to see if I could be provided with a "loaner" and when I arrived, I was given a guitar to carry with me for the week.

Have you checked pricing?
You'll never get the guitar to Europe for $100 using FEDEX or UPS!
Flight case, pay the extra fee...

You do realize that if you "mail" your guitar to Europe there is no "real" tracking number in the sense that FEDEX or UPS provide?
AND, it will be handed off the host country's mail system?

Are you SURE that is what you want to do?

If its not a "Golden Era" Gibson or Fender then put it in a flight case and "check" it as regular baggage.
It won't be cheap, but that's about the best option.

I had heard a few horror story but I thought/hoped these were sort of exceptions. I'm traveling to Spain then Russia for the fall/winter and I'm starting to believe that it'll have to be w/o a guitar. :(

Urdy, after reading the stories above, I'd have issues trusting even a hardshell in their hands. 

Lufthansa allowed me to check in my guitar as an extra piece of luggage without charging anything.
If the flight is not full, they may allow you to bring it into the cabin. However, that is a gamble. Don't count on that!
If your guitar is an acoustic guitar and/or worth more than say 2k$, buy insurance for it an a good case!

I cannot recommend air cargo. It is relatively cheap (compared to FedEx or paying for a second bag). But, I shipped my bicycle form Germany to the US. It got misrouted to Costa Rica. The box was damp and damaged when it finally arrived...

Wilko

Original packages are very flimsy cardboard with a Styrofoam neck pad. The guitar might be wrapped in plastic. Yamaha used wax paper to fend off rust from the ocean trip.

Build a plywood container, 3/8 spruce sheathing will do.
Use 3/4 x about 5" high for the sides. Wrap the guitar in plastic. Place a  3/4 inch foamy on the bottom. Fill the box with packing foam or better yet spray can insulation foam. Screw the lid on.  Main thing is to protect it from being crushed.

Some airlines will let you put it in overhead in a gig bag.