Hi all,

I hope someone would have some advice for me on this.

I intend to bring a painting from Europe over to Australia. Its maybe 1,2m long and 60cm tall. Doesn't have any reasonable value, I just like it.
Obviously it is fragile and needs careful handling, so I don't want it to be handled as regular checked luggage.
I never used oversized luggage. Does anyone have broad experience how airlines (particularly the 3 mentioned below - AA, QF, EY) treat this if it is flagged as "fragile"? Do airlines charge additionally for this or would it be included? (I fly premium cabin and won't use full luggage I could bring free of charge).

Other option, would airlines allow to bring this as carry on to be stored in the overhead bins?
1st option: I'll be having a flight FRA - PHL with American, a week later JFK-LAX-MEL with Qantas. I'll be flying Business and am Qantas Platinum One / OneWorld Emerald.
2nd option: I'll be having another flight, FRA-AUH-MEL on Etihad, First Class (first leg only as aircraft on second one doesn't have a First Class) and am Virgin Australia Platinum.

Thanks all in advance and cheers
Hellboy666