Airline approved cases – a guide to selecting a suitable option

1. Why are specialist cases required?
2. What are airline-approved cases?
3. ATA cases
4. Selecting airline-approved cases
5. Original ATA-approved cases
6. Best for shipping in the hold
7. Best carry-on cases
8. Best cases for protection
9. Best cases for small items
10. Summary

Before looking at the regulations and options, it is sensible to first identify why business travellers might need specialist cases when flying.

Whilst many will not require anything out of the ordinary – such as those taking laptops, paperwork, clothing, and other typically language-related items – many businesses will send employees to meet international clients (or potential customers) with specialist equipment, parts, or products.

This is particularly common where engineering companies have developed prototypes or test models specifically tailored to their customers’ needs. These will then be taken by employees to ensure that the items are not damaged or mislaid during transit.

Besides this, technical sales teams are likely to require these types of products, prototypes, or tools to successfully win business from potential customers abroad.

Another scenario is where specialist engineers visit existing customers or international locations to troubleshoot and repair specialist equipment, which in turn requires specialised tools and equipment.

All of these situations would require specialist airline-approved cases.

Whilst most airlines have a different interpretation, hand luggage is defined as bags, containers, or carriers allowed in the cabin of commercial flights. “Hold luggage”, however, is, perhaps obviously, any carriers, suitcases, and containers that must be placed on the aircraft’s hold.

Whilst the UK government no longer sets a maximum size for hand luggage, as it did prior to April 2010, most operators allow hand luggage or airline-approved cases measuring 560mm long x 540mm deep.

Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly common for many airlines, particularly budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet, to have their own restrictions on hand luggage and airline-approved cases.

Whilst they do vary between airlines, the general rule is that if they fit in the overhead compartment (or indeed under the seat in front of yours) then they can be carried on.

Therefore, it is always wise to check with the specific airline you are travelling with before you depart to either ensure that you can take your cases onto the plane with you or ascertain if it will be placed in the hold. It may also be the case that the airline’s own rules have recently changed.

The original specification, as set out by the ATA, effectively details what is known as a traditional “flight case” – the clue is in the name.

This includes the use of aluminium extrusion fittings, steel knuckle ball corners, piano-type hinges, and even acceptable wall/panel materials. It also recommends that transit cases of this nature be white where possible, while noting that other colours may be used for branding purposes as required.

As such, there are several benefits to using these types of flight cases for your air transit.

Because they can be custom-manufactured to specific sizes, there is no excess weight or space in the cases, both of which can lead to higher shipping costs.

They can also feature elements to improve usability, such as castors, wheels, handles, locks, and, of course, custom foam inserts.

This makes them an acceptable option for transporting items in an aircraft’s hold, but, as we will detail, there may be more suitable options.

Whilst the ATA sets criteria for flight cases when shipping items by air, there is actually another case – also ATA-approved – that can be considerably more suitable for this application: aluminium cases.

The range of K470 aluminium cases from German manufacturer Zarges provide a number of advantages over traditional flight cases, including weight.

Because they are considerably lighter than flight cases, these cases are typically cheaper to ship than custom-built options.

They also offer a number of additional benefits, including strength, ease of handling, and optional wheels, easy-to-use handles, locking, and easy cleaning. These cases are also recognised as ATA-approved.

Their only slight drawback is that, because you have to select from a range of predetermined sizes rather than specify custom dimensions, you can sometimes be paying to ship fresh air or excess foam. However, this is most often offset by the overall weight saving.

As such, if you are planning on sending items internationally via air freight, aluminium cases would be your best option.

What about if you want to take your items onto the aircraft with you? What if you only have small items? What if the items are so expensive, delicate, or important that they can’t be put into the hold?

In that case, using a carry-on approved case is your best option, with the Shell Case Standard 500 range being the best all-rounder.

Looking very much like a hard-shell suitcase that a holidaymaker would use, Shell cases actually boast a range of additional features that make them perfect for professional use.

This includes a very tough polycarbonate shell for protection, integrated TSA locks, various branding options, particularly useful if the case will later be used in a sales meeting, and, of course, can be enhanced with foam inserts.

The size of the cases also means they can be stowed in overhead compartments, allowing you to keep a close watch on your important kit, products, or samples.

If you need the highest levels of protection for your items during transit, then a waterproof case with custom foam inserts, such as Peli™ Protector, Storm Case™, Explorer, etc., is definitely your best option.

The Peli™ Storm Case™ range, suitable for use when travelling abroad, also boasts a wealth of additional features that make it ideal for either taking on the plane or stowing in the hold. The size range also helps here, with options suitable for either scenario.

They are manufactured from an exceptionally tough HPX™ resin exterior shell, are extremely sturdy, have strong, hard-wearing hinges, and feature press-and-pull latches for ease of use, and are also completely moisture- and dust-proof. They also come with a manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee.

When coupled with Plastazote® foam inserts, they will offer the highest possible protection from a case, and it is possible to create inserts that provide a very specific, calculated level of protection.

As such, for any engineers or technical sales teams with very expensive, delicate, or highly calibrated products or equipment, moulded waterproof cases are the go-to choice.

Moulded waterproof cases are also a great choice for transporting small items when on board an aircraft.

However, as they provide such high levels of protection, they can be a bit bulky and heavy for every application, though this may be necessary depending on the items you are transporting.

As such, another option is light- to medium-duty plastic carry cases.

This includes cases from the likes of Hofbauer, WAG, Rose Plastic, Maxado, and others.

Within this, there are varying options of weight, durability, sizes and features, allowing you to find a case that is a good match for your equipment and/or products and that is also cost-effective, e.g., not too large or heavy.

If you are heading abroad to visit clients or other sites within your company, attending an important business seminar, or even travelling to install or service equipment internationally, then make sure you have a suitable airline-approved case.

Take a look at the protective cases that you can source from GWP, or use the details below to contact a member of our team of packaging experts for more advice.