The material will hold up to punctures just fine. The problem you will run into is all the straps. Because they get caught on stuff, some airlines will just cut them off. Osprey makes a canvas bag with handles on it for the purpose of checking your backpack on flights. I'd look into that if I were you, alongside this bag. Your other option is simply carryon. I carry my 42L pack on all the time, and never have any problems.

The airline will sometimes automatically put a strappy backpack in a clear plastic bag, if they don't, request they do. Problem solved.