As I've said before, I fly somewhat regularly w/a guitar always in a hard-shell case; all different sizes from the Baby Taylor to a Jumbo, & ALL, w/o exception, can easily go in a typical modern overhead storage compartment. So I haven't had to get it into the 1st class wardrobe (space for tall hanging things) in years, but I used to regularly do that w/my D-28, when I was a young Sailor, (& the overheads were smaller), & usually travelling in uniform; Back then, people were often very nice to clean-cut young Navy kid; (Actually the pretty young stewardesses almost always offerred to store it before I could ask.)

Now I'm an ugly old grey-bearded baldie-4-eyes & I worry more abt my Instruments. Generally if you put it into the narrow-side (2 seat) overhead, you may have to put your coat under it to tip it up, so you can easily close the door. If you use the wide (3 seat) side, even the Jumbo case can lay flat. (& even have a mandolin case laying flat next to it!)

One caveat: you GOTTA get on the plane early - means a seat number usually above 20 to 24, so you board first, to get to the overhead compartments BEFORE they are LOADED w/ifni knows how much junk. Otherwise you can't get a condom for a piss-ant up there.

As for animal travel; we flew our cats from Texas up to DC for my tour at Wally Wonderful. I'd say don't do it; it was cold & the hassells were spectacular, even w/my brother at the other end to get them to a vet fast...

I'd also advise you to drive! Get a CB, mount a properly tuned antenna & get a cell phone & treat it as an adventure..

Good luck, 'n let us know how it goes..

Cheers, BK