Taking Trade Show Exhibits On A Plane: Air Cargo Packaging Basics For Every Type Of Trade Show Booth
Air travel is the most common form of transportation to distant conventions and expos, and for good reason: it’s fast, efficient, and one of the safest methods of transit available. For humans, staying safe on a plane is a simple task. Just sit back in your seat and enjoy a flight, complete with snacks and staff to help you enjoy your trip. For your trade show booth, it takes a little more to have an enjoyable trip. Many companies choose to fly their trade displays and can enjoy a much greater degree of certainty about the arrival time of their booth at a lower cost. At the same time, many are unaware that trade show exhibits traveling on an airplane must be carefully packaged and protected. If wrapped properly for travel, an airline flight can be a great way to move your unit across the country, but the wrapping stage is absolutely critical.
Two Different Ways to Ship Your Trade Show Booth on a Plane
If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you know there are two main types of cargo: carry-on baggage and checked baggage. Carry-on bags are limited in size and number, but they get on the plane with you and can stay with you (and possibly in your seat, if you want) for the entire flight. By contrast, checked baggage has much less restrictive limitations on its size and much more liberal restrictions on how much can be checked per passenger. You may end up paying a nominal fee ($50 or so) for additional checked bags, but it’s usually cheaper than shipping your unit.
Carry-on luggage is usually just as safe as packing your trade displays in a car. It is very difficult for them to get damaged even if they are packed in a lightweight case. Checked baggage is more difficult to protect because airline baggage handlers are notoriously tough on these types of bags. While your suitcase may have limited protection options, your displays can be much better suited to these harsh conditions. You simply need to be willing to invest in the necessary equipment.
Custom Carrying Cases for Trade Show Displays
The best option for protection is a custom hard-shell carrying case. This case will be crush resistant, giving your trade displays the highest degree of protection against damage from other luggage and from any accidents during handling. Inside, the box should safely protect your cabin items from hitting each other, preferably with the use of foam or some other impact-resistant agent. These cases aren’t cheap, but they’ll serve you well for future flights and any future shipments, if needed.
Inexpensive air travel for trade show exhibits
Even if you have to purchase a case for your drive, you’ll likely find that shipping it by air is less expensive than shipping it via a traditional shipping option. Just make sure your bag is the right size to fit as a carry-on or checked bag. Banner stands are usually the only units small enough to fit as carry-on luggage, but exact dimensions should always be confirmed before you fly. With a solid case and a good plan, you’ll be able to enjoy the friendly skies with your unit in tow safely.
