[MarkL]

I ship very expensive scientific gear from time to time, often one-of-a-kind items with delicate parts. These musicians should invest in a finite-cost shipping container to transport their infinite-cost instruments. Then the instrument may even withstand a bad landing or heavy turbulence that may get it damaged, even strapped into the seat next to the musician. Then, the next generation would get to play the irreplaceable instrument.

It depends on the sort of baggage compartments the plane has. If the compartment is unpressurized, it can destroy an ancient acoustic instrument, which has hundreds of years old varnish and very thin wood, which a very low humidity and low temperatures can crack.

I don't know if some are still unpressurized, but back when I used to travel with my bass guitar, you needed to loosen the strings because the compartments were unpressurized and cold, and the cold could contract the strings, warping the neck. I don't know if a hermetically sealed instument case is possible.

Mark

[El Gato]

I don't know if a hermetically sealed instument case is possible

Of course it is. Raises the cost somewhat though. TANSTAAFL!