I don't like to see heavy items placed in the overhead compartment of the planes when I'm traveling. One trip to Germany was very rough & a few of the bins popped open, you can imagine if a sewing machine had fallen out on to your head instead of all those sweaters & hats, it could have been very dangerous. Do you NEED the machine or could you rent one at the other end?

i carry my FW on in special carrying bag i bought off internet. It is small enough to fit under the seats. I've never had to gate check it. I carried my Bernina on as well though it did have to go in the overhead and on a puddle jumper got gate checked. Just be sure it is well padded and the machine won't shift in the carrying case or something will get broken. I ended up with the area around the spool spindle cracked off when i took it in the original red carrying case with inadequate padding and it shifted and hit side of the case. have had the FW swiped for explosives etc. However i've also had my medium format camera swiped. Not every TSA agent knows what these antiques are for LOL

Take the needle out and have it as a carry on. If it cannot fit in the overhead compartment give it to the flight attendant to store on board. I would not send it through with checked luggage. Mine was moved in the original packaging and not on an airplane and I ended up with the bent needle shaft. Good luck!

Last year, I gave my DSD my 301. She packed it into a carry-on bag, and put it in the overhead bin on the plane. She had no trouble from the airline, and the machine arrived in great condition.

Good luck with this. Bonnie Hunter was flying this summer with a custom painted Featherweight, which they had always let her take on board with her. This time they insisted she leave the Featherweight and her laptop with her luggage. Both were destroyed. They had to pay for a new one, but that doesn't solve the aggravation of going through all the claims, etc.

Dear Blackberry
I have traveled with my sewing machine and it came with me onto the flight... did not check it... the TSA agents checked it for bombs...and yes one of them did not know what it was...LOL!! Take out scissors and put them in your checked bag also any thing sharp like seam ripper etc...
It goes in the overhead no problem...
hugs
quiltinmama

I don't know much but here is a video about someone who flew with a guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Flying with sewing machine
 

I have flown to and from Trinidad to the UK carrying my Pfaff 2170 (without embroidery unit) in an overhead locker sized wheelie bag. I must admit it was a tad heavy (11kgs) but I managed alone. The only problem I had was leaving Trinidad where they asked me to take out the needle I had left in the machine, however they didn't say anything about the pack of 5 I had in the accessory box! No real problems anywhere else, I had it well wrapped with bubble wrap in the hard case but did have to open it up to show the customs people on 2 occasions. I certainly wouldn't put it in the checked in baggage if you don't have the original packing box and I suspect that is the case here with an older machine, as they really don't take much care with stuff even if marked 'Fragile'. However I also carried the adjustable legs and an extra pole for my Little Gracie II frame from the UK to Oman but they had to go through checked and were fine but they were VERY well wrapped up. Hope that helps.

I have 2 word "Ship it" If you are not going out of Country. "Ship it by P.O ,Fed x.UPS.Let them pack your SM. I have seen what they can do at airports. Bad.

I would definitely NOT check a sewing machine into baggage....I would hand "carry on" and put it under the seat in front of me. Just my opinion.