What Is an ATA Case? A Guide to Airline-Approved Transit Protection
When it comes to safeguarding your valuable items in transit, not all flight cases are created equal. If you’re professionals who regularly ship sensitive equipment by airplane, ATA cases offer a level of protection that meets stringent transport requirements.
But what exactly are ATA cases, how do they compare to standard flight cases, and why should you care?
As a UK-based flight case manufacturer with decades of experience, Oakleigh Cases designs and builds both standard and bespoke cases tailored to withstand extreme conditions: on the road, in the air, and on location.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about ATA cases and why they might be the right choice for your next transport solution.
What Does ATA Stand For?
ATA stands for Air Transport Association, specifically in reference to ATA 300, a set of specifications originally developed in the 1960s by the association (now known as Airlines for America). These specifications define the design, construction and standards in terms of performance for cases used in commercial airline cargo holds.
ATA 300 categories help determine a case’s durability:
Category I: Designed for 100 trips or more. These are the most rugged and durable.
Category II: Built for 10–100 trips.
Category III: Suitable for up to 10 trips.
For critical gear, like professional audio-visual equipment, instruments, broadcasting tools or military tech, Category I ATA cases are the gold standard.
ATA Standards: Built for the Skies
These kinds of cases are expected to pass a number of durability and performance tests, including:
Drop tests from multiple angles
Resistance to vibrations
Strength against impacts
Water and dust resistance
Extreme temperature tolerance
These qualities ensure that a case can not only survive a typical experience in a cargo hold, but continue to offer protection for multiple journeys. Materials commonly used include laminated plywood, extruded aluminium, ball corners, butterfly catches and high-density foam interiors, all of which are standard in Oakleigh Cases' design process.
Cases Branded to Reflect Your Needs
Our unique manufacturing process further enhances durability, ensuring each panel is recessed and bonded in a way that increases shock resistance. Combined with our use of premium Russian Birch plywood, our ATA-style cases are engineered for ultimate resilience.
At Oakleigh Cases, our standard flight cases already exceed many expectations thanks to our in-house production standards. However, if you require maximum protection under ATA guidelines, we can build Category I compliant cases tailored to your gear.
Who Needs ATA-Style Cases?
These types of cases are ideal for any situation where equipment needs to be shipped frequently via commercial or military aircraft. Here are a few industries where ATA cases make a major difference:
1. Touring and Live Events
Tour managers, sound engineers, and lighting crews rely on ATA cases to keep expensive AV gear safe across continents. With the gear facing constant loading and unloading, rough handling, and unpredictable environments, an ATA-rated case ensures continuity of service.
Oakleigh Cases provides custom foam inserts and rugged construction designed to house:
Mixing consoles
Wireless microphone systems
DJ decks
Lighting control desks
2. Broadcast and Film Production
From on-location shoots to international event coverage, production teams must transport cameras, lenses, monitors and editing tools. ATA cases provide excellent shock absorption, weather resistance, and compartmentalised layouts that keep fragile items protected and well-organised.
Oakleigh has worked with film studios and live broadcast teams, producing flight cases that combine protection with accessibility.
3. Military and Defence
ATA Category I cases are often specified in military contracts due to their tough, certified build. Oakleigh designs cases suitable for:
Tactical communications equipment
Drone systems
Surveillance gear
Medical or repair kits
With reinforced corners, tamper-resistant locks, and military-grade hardware, our ATA-style cases meet the needs of even the most demanding field environments.
4. Medical and Scientific Purposes
Precision medical tools and laboratory equipment require vibration-free transport and easy access. ATA cases provide that reassurance, with custom foam interiors shaped to fit instruments perfectly, reducing risk of movement or breakage in transit.
Why Choose Oakleigh for ATA Cases?
At Oakleigh Cases, we bring over two decades of flight case expertise to every design. Our team has handled custom builds for clients across music, aerospace, broadcast, and defence.
What sets us apart?
Custom-fit foam tailored to your kit
Russian Birch plywood for maximum strength
Expert rebating for edge durability
Friendly and experienced staff, including those with 20+ years of service
Consistent delivery times, even on tight deadlines
Every case with us is a collaboration. You tell us what you need to protect, and we’ll build the right solution, whether it’s an ATA-rated trunk or a stunning branded display case for corporate events.
ATA cases aren't necessarily for everyone, but if you're moving gear regularly through the airline system, they're a must. They’re not just tough; they’re engineered to withstand repeated knocks and bangs. They’re fantastic for protecting high-value kit, and still look professional on arrival.
Whether you’re flying to Glastonbury, shipping to Kabul, or preparing for a live studio shoot, Oakleigh Cases has you covered.
If you need a transit case that meets ATA 300 specs, or just a rugged case that outperforms the rest, contact us to discuss a custom design that ticks every box.