Musician humiliated by Ryanair over violin luggage policy

Esther Abrami, a 27-year-old classical violinist from France, faced a distressing situation while attempting to board a Ryanair flight from Marseille to Berlin on September 3. She was traveling to record her third studio album with Sony Classical but was denied boarding due to her 200-year-old violin exceeding the airline's cabin luggage dimensions. Despite her attempts to negotiate, including offering to pay for an extra seat or carry the violin by hand, Ryanair staff insisted that the instrument could not be taken onboard. Ryanair's policy states that musicians must adhere to the same luggage rules as all passengers, which include specific size limitations for cabin baggage. Ms. Abrami's violin case measured 56cm, just 1cm over the allowed length of 55cm. The airline maintained that since the case exceeded the permitted dimensions and she refused to pay the standard fee for an extra seat, it was her decision not to travel on that flight. Feeling humiliated and frustrated, Ms. Abrami expressed her disappointment on social media, highlighting the impact such incidents can have on a musician's career. She emphasized the fragility of her instrument and the importance of her recording session, noting that she had previously traveled with Ryanair without issues. Ultimately, she managed to rebook her travel with a different airline, allowing her to reach her recording session on time. This incident raises questions about airline policies regarding musical instruments and the treatment of artists traveling with valuable equipment.