going next week on the dreaded Ryanair, short 1 hour flight between Ireland and Britain
I've always managed to take my fiddle on board before, even in small planes, even on Ryanair. But they are getting stricter and Ryanair offers an option to buy a separate seat for violins and other medium sized instruments! I didn't reserve a seat for my fiddle so I want to know how I can best protect it if it has to go in luggage.

Any advice on getting a new instrument case? advice on insulating the case, wrapping the fiddle within it? Should I loosen the strings?

I'd prefer the case to be fairly lightweight for my own ease in carrying it. Also one time when I had to plead to take the fiddle on board since the case is a bit longer than standard baggage allowance, they weighed my fiddle and case and since it was light enough and the workers nice enough I got to take my fiddle in the cabin.

A friend of mine took a guitar on Ryanair in a padded fabric case. He wasn't allowed take it in the cabin but it was marked fragile and sent for careful handling and did arrive safely.

The fiddle I'm flying with isn't precious, but I like it well enough and don't want to have to replace it in a hurry (and don't know if travel insurance would cover any damage)