Sophie Kauer’s Cello Refused Seat on Swiss Air Flight

A day after booking her flight, Kauer was told that her cello was “no longer welcome to travel” on the plane

The British-German cellist Sophie Kauer had booked a flight with Swiss Air for both herself and her cello, when the airline informed her 30 hours later via three emails that the cello was “no longer welcome to travel” with her. 

Kauer, who reached international acclaim when she was selected from hundreds of cellists worldwide for a leading role in the film TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett, explained that she booked a seat for her cello as cabin baggage (CBBG).

“They said to call customer service, which I did — after being hung up on twice, and on the third time being put on hold for 30 minutes by an incredibly rude rep — I was told ‘there was no availability,’ Kauer explained on her Instagram.

“I’d never heard this before so I asked if [the rep] would kindly mind explaining what he meant as I could see that there were still several seats available on that flight,” she continued. “He said that they could not offer a cabin baggage seat for this flight, only passenger seats.

“No explanations or apologies, just incredibly hostile and patronizing remarks along the lines of that ‘it wasn’t his problem’ and that I should ‘call back later when I had decided whether I wanted to cancel my booking or not.’ He didn’t understand why I’d want to cancel my booking if I couldn’t take my cello with me … Swiss Air, if you don’t want cellos on board, just say so,” she added. 

Kauer was refunded the money for her flight but expressed that she would not be flying with Swiss Air again. 

According to Swiss Air’s baggage policy, instruments are allowed to accompany the passenger into the cabin. Like some airlines, it stipulates that instruments be carried as hand luggage or be booked with an extra seat. Musical instruments can also be checked as additional baggage, the airline states.

“Please ensure you contact our Service Centre if your musical instrument exceeds dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm and/or a weight of 8 kg because you will have to book an additional passenger seat,” the website adds. “You must do so at the same time as booking your ticket. The prices for taking your musical instrument depend on the ticket prices available.”