Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason Calls for Consistent Airline Protocol on the Handling of Musical Instruments

"In my mind, it's as simple as having a more efficient and consistent approach," the British cellist says

The British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who was recently engaged in several high-profile disputes with British Airways, has called on airlines to apply their musical instrument policies more consistently and to communicate more clearly about what is required of traveling musicians.

In September, Kanneh-Mason was flying back to London from Bucharest following an appearance with the Hungarian National Orchestra. Despite having booked two seats (one for his cello and one for himself) and arriving early for the flight, he was ultimately refused entry and had to purchase another flight at three times the price.

Kanneh-Mason also knows that his experience is the tip of the iceberg. The effects of this type of issue are even worse for freelance players, who often have less income and simply cannot afford to re-book flights at short notice.

International Federation of Musicians representative Benoît Machuel noted that British policy ought to be updated to match its American counterpart. In the U.S., instruments are treated as hand luggage if they can fit into the overhead bins.

"It’s frustrating to arrive to the airport, having done everything right in the lead-up with the booking and everything and yet, still things can go wrong at any sort of stage," Kanneh-Mason said. "So often somewhere along the line, something breaks down."

"In my mind, it’s as simple as having a more efficient and consistent approach."

"Musicians don’t have a level of confidence that they can fly with their instruments to make that professional engagement that they’re booked for overseas — with an instrument that will be intact in their possession," said Dave Webster, Head of International at the UK-based Musicians' Union.

"It’s those kinds of immediate dangers that occur, that make musicians have anxiety around traveling with their instruments," he added. "We as an industry would like to see that removed completely."