Holds are pressurized to same pressure as rest of plane. holds are close to same temp as rest of plane. certainly not freezing. CA's finest cabs were just shipped to DC for the barrel sampling. they were shipped in the hold.

get a hard sided suit case, get burgundy separators. get some bubble wrap. pack 11 bottles per case. 12 bottles usually goes over 50 lbs. if you have a 72 lb limit, you can go to 15-16 bottles.