Imagine being forced to cradle a priceless violin throughout a flight! That's exactly what happened to renowned violinist Carolin Widmann, and her story highlights a frustrating issue many musicians face.
Widmann, a frequent flyer with Lufthansa, was recently denied boarding with her violin case on a flight from Helsinki to Frankfurt. The airline deemed her standard violin case too large for cabin baggage, despite her frequent flyer status.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The airline's representatives insisted she either purchase an extra seat for the instrument or check it as luggage. Considering the value and fragility of a 1782 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin, neither option was viable. The connecting flight was fully booked, and checking the violin was out of the question.
Ultimately, Widmann had to do the unthinkable: she carried the bare violin, without its case, throughout the entire journey. She even had to check the empty violin case as extra luggage. This meant holding the precious instrument for the entire flight to protect it.
Interestingly, the Lufthansa crew on the flight was incredibly friendly and helpful. Widmann noted a stark contrast between the strict rules at check-in and the accommodating attitude on board.
Widmann pointed out that a standard violin case (measuring approximately 80cm x 27cm x 16cm) is often smaller than carry-on luggage allowed by airlines (55cm x 40cm x 25cm).
And this is the part most people miss...
She's calling for updated and globally consistent rules for musicians traveling with valuable instruments. Several other musicians have shared similar experiences, highlighting a pattern of inconsistent enforcement and potential issues with specific airport staff. One violist even noted that this seems to be a recurring problem at the Helsinki airport with Lufthansa. Another musician shared their experiences with Eurowings.
What do you think? Are airlines doing enough to accommodate musicians and protect their instruments? Do you think the rules are fair, or do they need an update? Share your thoughts in the comments!
