Great suggestions, thank you. I'll check out Costco. Small backpack on wheels sounds great also. I usually take a carryon and not check luggage, but I'm thinking I can only carry one bag, so it will have to be my sewing machine.
@soccertxi- good idea to use kits to pad machine. I do plan on doing the cutting at home (make kits). One leg of my flight is on a small plane, I would hope that if it didn't fit under my seat or overhead, they could put it somewhere safe.