After facing criticism from musicians and travelers alike, Lufthansa is adjusting its policy on carrying violins and other small musical instruments onboard aircraft. The change comes months after a viral incident involving a professional violinist who was forced to travel with her violin “naked” (outside of its carrying case) because the case was deemed too big for a carry-on item.
Lufthansa Softens Violin Carry-On Policy After Backlash From Musicians
Lufthansa is revisiting its approach to transporting violins and other small musical instruments in the cabin following growing backlash from musicians and industry groups.
The controversy stems from Lufthansa’s strict carry-on baggage rules, which limit cabin items to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 8 kg. While the airline says instruments can travel in the cabin free of charge if they meet those limits, many standard violin cases exceed the 55 cm length restriction, creating potential conflicts at check-in counters.
In those cases, Lufthansa has historically required musicians to either purchase a second seat for the instrument or check it in the hold, a risky proposition (arguably insane) for delicate and sometimes priceless instruments.
That policy came under intense scrutiny after a professional violinist was forced to remove her instrument from its protective case and carry the bare violin onboard, an episode that sparked international headlines and outrage in the classical music world.
As I noted in my earlier coverage, the problem arises when airlines treat instruments as simple pieces of luggage when in reality they are fragile, irreplaceable treasures that cannot be casually gate checked without risk of catastrophic damage.
> Read More: Lufthansa Forces Violinist To Travel With 1782 Instrument Outside Its Case
A Small Policy Shift, But A Meaningful One
In response to the controversy, Lufthansa says it is now working to make travel easier for musicians carrying small instruments such as violins.
Under the revised approach, airline staff will be encouraged to exercise more flexibility in allowing violins and similar instruments in the cabin, particularly when they can safely fit in overhead bins.
The change means that the entire dimensions of the hand luggage — its height, width and depth — cannot exceed 125 centimeters when added together. “This means that instruments longer than the regular maximum length of 55 centimeters can also be taken on board,” Lufthansa said.
The policy adjustment does not eliminate Lufthansa’s carry-on size limits, but it signals a shift away from the rigid interpretation that triggered the earlier incident. I’d say that is progress, even though, in theory, I’m not opposed to forcing musicians to pay for a second seat to accommodate a larger instrument.
But the violin is an important outlier. In many cases, violin cases technically exceed the length limit while still occupying less total volume than a standard rolling suitcase, which has long been the source of frustration among professional musicians.
The Bigger Issue: Airline Policies Are All Over The Map
The Lufthansa debate highlights the reality that there is no universal international standard for traveling with musical instruments: you’re often left at the mercy of a gate agent to make a final call.
In the United States, federal law requires airlines to allow small instruments such as violins onboard if they can be safely stowed in the cabin. Europe has no equivalent rule, leaving each airline to develop its own policy.
That means musicians flying internationally often face inconsistent enforcement from airline to airline, airport to airport, and even when flying the same carrier on two flights on the same day!
And because many instruments are worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, being forced to check them in the cargo hold simply is not a realistic option. It would be horrible to show up at the airport not knowing whether the airline will allow you to bring your priceless instrument onboard.
Kudos at least to Lufthansa for moving in the right direction on this delicate matter.
CONCLUSION
Lufthansa’s revised approach appears to be an attempt to avoid another public relations disaster like the one involving the “naked violin” incident last year.
That is a sensible move.
Musicians traveling with instruments like violins are simply asking for the ability to transport fragile and valuable instruments safely in the cabin. I don’t think that qualifies as “special” treatment.
I applaud this policy update by Lufthansa.
image: @carolinwidmannviolin / Instagram (the musical who is behind this policy change)
Pretty sure the headline is “US Has Common Sense Law That Europe Does Not!”
Where is EU261V when you need it.
Slightly less Luftkafka
Still another reason to not fly LuftKafka. When being sensible is breaking news, you know you’re in for a rough ride.