Carolin Widmann Forced To Carry Bare Guadagnini Violin on Airplane
German violinist Carolin Widmann was forced to remove her 1782 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin from its case and carry the bare instrument in her arms on a set of Lufthansa flights from Helsinki via Frankfurt to Leipzig.
Violinist Carolin Widmann, carrying a 1782 Guadagnini violin in her arms after Lufthansa refused her violin case on the flight.
"No argument helped, and I was forced to fly home, holding my bare, naked Guadagnini violin wrapped in my sweater in my arms," Widman wrote on her Instagram page. "In the 25 years of my professional career, I often had to negotiate or discuss with airlines and staff," she said, but this was the first time she was met with such fierce resistance.
The incident unfolded at Helsinki Vantaa airport in Finland, where she arrived on Friday morning after performing in a concert with the Tapiola Sinfonietta in Espoo, Finland, the night before.
"As a violin soloist, I fly to most of my approximately 60 International concerts per year with this company," Widmann wrote. "I (or the promoters) spend quite a large share of my fee on plane tickets and I have a Senator status as a frequent traveler."
At the airport, she was told by the Lufthansa representative at the check-in counter that her standard-size violin case exceeded the measurements allowed as cabin baggage on their flights.
"That I am flying with Lufthansa dozens of times per year all over the world and never had a problem with the measurements of my violin case didn't help the argument in the least," she wrote, "...neither did my Senator status."
She asked to speak with the supervisor from the handling company Airpro, and when that supervisor arrived a half-hour later, she said that Widmann would have to purchase an extra seat for the violin.
"I was desperate enough to do this," Widmann wrote; however it proved impossible to find a seat on both of her flights. "On my connection flight from Frankfurt to Leipzig, the flight was fully booked, no free seat was available to purchase for my violin case."
For ticketing reasons, they couldn't sell her a ticket for the violin case for one leg of the trip only; the instrument case's ticket needs to have the same routing as she did.
"Despite my pleading, arguing, and despite my tears: They had no mercy and insisted that the rule had to be followed," Widmann wrote.
This being the case, "the only way I could get home would be to check in my violin case with my valuable Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin from 1782 like an ordinary suitcase. Of course this wasn't even an option for me."
It wouldn't be for any of us.
This left just one more solution: "I was forced to do the unthinkable: I had to check in the empty violin case as an extra suitcase and had to travel with the bare violin, out of its case, from Helsinki via Frankfurt to Leipzig," Widmann wrote.
"Tears rolling down my cheeks because I felt so protective of my instrument and was so shocked at the completely stubborn and nonsensical insistence on 'rules' that seem to be brutally implemented at Helsinki airport only, I took my precious and beloved violin out of its case, wrapped it into my sweater, carried it with me through security and boarded the plane," Widmann wrote. "I held my violin in my arms during the entire time of my journey to protect it and also was in touch with the owner of the instrument in London to inform her about the situation. She was very supportive."
She added that, unlike the Helsinki check-in staff, "the Lufthansa crew on the flight was extremely friendly to me and helped in any way they could."
Widmann and her instrument made it home safely, but with a renewed sense that the airline situation is untenable for working musicians.
Widmann also presented some math: A standard violin case measures 80 cm x 27 cm x 16 cm. The allowed measurements for cabin luggage are normally 55 cm x 40 cm x 25 cm. In other words, the volume of a violin case is 34.6 liters, and the volume of allowable cabin luggage is 55 liters. That means that the volume of a violin case is actually considerably smaller than the volume of the roller suitcases that are regularly allowed on any flight. (Smaller by more than a third!)
"It takes no math genius to realize that the volume of a violin case is actually much SMALLER than that of a trolley that's easily allowed to take on board!" she said.
"We violinists (and the afterworld who we preserve our valuable instruments for!) depend on our instruments being treated securely and with respect - namely traveling in a safe violin case from A to B," Widmann wrote. "We are happy to follow the rules. But these rules urgently need to be updated, amended, and applied globally - so that we can travel with our valuable instruments for our profession without fear of harassment or of being denied boarding."
The United States actually has much more protection for traveling musicians than does the European Union, when it comes to carrying instruments such as violins, violas, etc. on an airplane.
A 2012 FAA regulation in the U.S. (which was updated in 2015) "requires an air carrier to permit an air passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument on a passenger aircraft without charge if it can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft or under a passenger seat."
The European Union has no such regulations, though the International Federation of Musicians has petitioned the European Council to enact a proposed rule change. The council so far has opposed the measure, opting to allow airlines each to set their own policy.
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Replies
Brutal officialdom. I'm glad Ms. Widmann and the violin made it safely to Leipzig, but what an awful experience for her.
I have a similar status in Star Alliance, but have encountered numerous problems with baggage (not only violins). It does no good, Stephen, to attempt to show a counter or gate agent a copy of an airline's explicit policy. The response I've received (most recently on United, but also on Swiss and Lufthansa) is something to the effect, "I've worked at this airline for 30 years, and that is not the policy.," or that doesn't apply here, etc.
Maybe the officials of the Tapioca Sinfonietta should reach out to the airport staff in Helsinki and educate these people on the hazards of traveling with violins.
To be somewhat fair to Lufthansa, their website does say that they only allow musical instruments that fit the standard carry-on size, and that if it's larger, you need to either check it in or book another seat.
That said, I've flown a few times with a violin with them, and nobody ever said anything.
The good ol' days... as a luthier (at the time) I always flew TWA with a double violin case, and nobody ever said a word.
I'm reminded of the time I smuggled a new Italian violin into the UK in my back pack. The maker didn't want his name to come to the attention of the Italian tax man.
Despite the exceeding frustration, I'm glad that Carolin's violin was carried safely under her arms, literally.
The 2012 FAA regulation should be applied to all airlines around the world via the International Air Transport Association (IATA). No airline wants the negative repercussions like the United experienced in 2008. More here:
I have some experience with this as my daughter's cello's travel agent. Without the FAA regulations for violins, you have to stay informed about the musical instrument policy for each and every airline you fly with. For the ones that allow cellos, it always involves buying a second seat, and I haven't had the pleasure of navigating foreign airline idiosyncrasies yet (Air Canada for instance). I feel their pain.
What a mess! Bureaucracy at its ugliest.
While a typical violin case does occupy less total volume than the max-sized luggage allowed, it is not the volume that is at issue here, but rather the length. A javelin or a pair of skis would occupy less volume, too, but I don’t think you’ll get far with that argument, either.
The Trinity Suitcase is an interesting idea: https://trinitycase.com/trinity_case.php
Like Tom said, this is bureaucracy at its ugliest. The root of the problem are the Lufthansa rules for musical instruments which require you take an extra musical instrument seat ticket for anything longer than 55 cm. Having said that, you can also fly from Helsinki to Frankfurt on Finnair, and their rules explicitly allow a violin case. Like Esther said, although we all root for Widmann in this case, Widmann (or her management) could have known better.
I recall a British bargain airline telling me to put my overcoat on the floor under the seat in front. Hand luggage policy is often a humiliation game. By contrast, a steward on a Latin American airline took my coat to hang it up in business class. Violins fit just fine in the overhead lockers, and in any case can be temporarily lodged in a lavatory or galley during take off and landing.
And here’s yet another reason why I refuse to fly commercial airlines. I’ll spend three days driving to see relatives instead, enjoy the adventure along the way, and know that my violin and ukulele are safe.
“If god had meant people to fly, we’d be born with wings.”
I’ve been reading a history of the Wright Brothers. What a couple of screwballs!
What's the book Nickie? (Gotta add, the hand luggage space on their early planes was severity limited!)
I didn't quite mean it in the way Jean put it, but I agree. The rules may be stupid and unnecessary, but they were explicitly stated, and the fact that they often aren't enforced is neither here nor there.
When I decide to buy Lufthansa tickets and simply keep my fingers crossed when boarding and hope nobody notices or cares about the violin, it's on me. Whoever decided the same would fly for a Guadagnini is more in the wrong here than the airline staff, as much as it is annoying.
Which actually reminds me I'm flying Lufthansa with a violin in a little over a week. So... fingers crossed, I guess.
WHAT Esther :-) keep us posted how it went!
Good luck Esther, but I continue to feel that airlines do not need to treat economy/tourist/coach passengers like livestock, which is what many, not all, do. And part of the problem with small and medium sized instruments as hand luggage is that since there are charges for checked-in suitcases on many flights, the number of passengers trying to avoid these is considerable, and the result is that heavy, over-stuffed trolleys create far more of a headache for cabin crew than the occasional soul with a violin case, which is light and can be easily placed in an overhead locker.
I can't see the problem - instrument cases and overhead lockers are better used for storing children.
As from ~ Elisabeth Matesky, {#20} Internationally known Touring Concert Artist on Violin/Orig 1 of 7 Pupils of Heifetz *JH Films YT* & Nathan Milstein ~ Reading all Nineteen Replies I am truly stunned by all the excess Troubles built up to by Airline Staff for a kind and very refined Violinist, Carolin Widmann, with her precious 1782 Guadaganini Violin needing a wrap around satin violin cover holder or sort of scarf at the least and forced by those seemingly not caring for any object of Art yet it seems Carolin was smart savvy not saying anything or very very little to not attract attention to her dilemna which could drive any sane musician quite Mad and so upset one might actually cancel or find a Bus or Train to travel if feasible and myself knowing Vantaa Airport quite well last time flying over to Helsinki in the Worst Snow Storm Travesty they were having being way delayed here in Chicago O'Hare's Int'l Airport due the closing down of Vantaa Airport which I was told by SAS arriving early they might cancel my Flight to firstly Copenhagen then from Copenhagen having to Wait for any flight if allowed to fly in to Helsinki experiencing a major Emergency with by the time of my arrival to Copenhagen had closed down All Int'l Flights from the US and Europe except by Lady Luck the Flight I had booked from Copenhagen to Helsinki which was an early morning Flight and it was The Only Flight to Helsinki for the beginning of that day in anno 1999 and for my coming Elisabeth Matesky Violin Teaching Lessons at the Sibelius Academy of Music in downtown Helsinki with recital to follow! Fortunately the severity of the violent Snow Storm in Helsinki's Vantaa Int'l Airport was such that Official's were focused on getting there rather than inspecting obvious Violin Cases but in rectangular shapes due the craziness of it all in both International Airports Vantaa and Copenhagen ...
It is an amazement to yours truly reading so many violinists here stories of troubles and obviously since the pandemic with so many hurdles all of us globally if flying had to traverse and with Grace. I am wholly shocked to think a violin and so small in comparison to Celli or even a Viola Case not to mention Violoncelli which most here do know most Airlines charge an extra seat for Violoncellists which simply (I'll say it) Sucks! One would think by now Airlines had grown up to realise many passengers are not reeling by the look of yet another Guitar or Violin Case but worrying about getting where they are flying to and if on Time or notifying those waiting about Delay's and the Like ... My Mind is trying to absorb this to me phenom since the early part of the beginning Millennium and 2000 did not seem to pose any dire problems carrying one's Violin Case or a Double Case with Two Violins inside, but I do recall the Nightmare of Pernumbucco and Tales of Truth re at Heathrow Int'l Airport in London, UK, Customs Officials actually Breaking Valuable French or Italian made glorious Bows with Ivory on the Frogs and breaking them in front of those with Violins or Viola's etc., and weeping musicians then being Tormented by the Airline Industry here in America and many Soloists cancelling major Soloist engagements in Europe and in the UK plus a colleague of mine So Worried about my Comprehensive Round of EM Violin and Chamber Music plus Unaccompanied Bach in Violin Master Classes one Summer in London, offered out of graciousness of Heart to meet me at Customs with a Bow he owned to avoid bringing Any fine Bow or bows I owned to avoid a calamity at Heathrow International Airport in London ... Imagine! Violinists and many string cousins were then trying to find ways to Avoid travelling with beloved Concert Bows to avoid horrid situations of Official-dom coming down Hard on honest travelling Pro Touring Musicians ... This caused a real rukus in the States and Legislation was required from the US Congress to try calming down an already raging out of hand Nightmare ... So, my heart and empathy go out to Carolin Widmann, a presumed German born Violinist colleague who may know some of my most admired German working in major German Orchestras friends/colleagues and in Frankfurt and in Dresden! Good Grief. Don't travellng Invited to Guest Perform Top Artists have Enough to deal with re rehearsal Times; Jet Lag; not having the Music somehow Lost or misplaced and those to meet one not being There and in a vile snow storm in Vantaa Airport for myself when finally allowed to try Landing on or FinnAir, we weren't sure the Plane could Land on Solid Iced Runways ... We held our collective breath on this flight and I prayed with my eyes shut for a Landing to not be too jarring to my fine French Violin termed 'French Strad'??
To deduce from all Replies and heartfelt concerns it seems this Twenty First Century is revealing the Worst in Humanity when it is a simple matter of a cohesive Doctrine re What Is Required and for a reasonable period of Flight Time to and From Final destinations???
I am sure many here on V.com writing in could fix this problem and without too much arguing or none but with Common Sense which all of many seem to have Lost during the Global Pandemic and/or just as is said, "Just Because" with utterly No need from many Airlines for an Explanation???
Time is a passing here and getting late but if nothing else this very caring for colleague others compassionate discussion amongst many here tells me We Are All Together basically in finding a Solution which is not expensive to those who Must travel to make a living with 'Have Violin Will Travel' or those who choose as Nickie McNichols (Thank you, Nickie for your Email to myself tbc!) who play just to love playing or learning to play so they might travel in the future ... I always have Faith in Guys so Gentleman Here, try to find some Common Sense Ideas to remedy this Problem starting IMO, with Attitudes on the part of many of the Airline/s Staff tired and during our US Shut Down exhausted and quite frankly, furious with the ridiculousness of It All ... Let cooler heads without agenda's prevail quietly to try finding a good solution so a fine artist doesn't have to coddle her 'baby' aka, valuable both artistically and Emotionally loving treasured Violin and a prized Instrument to be sure, in her arms in a Sweater the Violin {almost a human person to many of us having wondrous violins or cello's or other string cousin Instruments feel as They Are Our Friends who allow us to express our innermost feelings via the glorious Musical Compositions we study for decades to offer and one's identity artistically in a solo role or in the Orchestra all other colleagues know our sound of and rely upon ...}
So late, apologies for this lengthy Reply wishing all a Good Night and hoping tomorrow, Monday, is not welcomed with yet another Snow Storm ... Be Safe and Vigilant if driving in snow & ice weather & if having to travel find a friend to ring the Airline to simply ask if a small case which holds a violin or viola and light weight is okay to place under one's seat and thank whomever with little fuss ...
Hoping All are Safe shopping and in major Malls, be most vigilant due to Crazy 'Nut Jobs' creating Havoc if seeing Agents to arrest the Bad yet the Good and Best of Us are Not the Problems. Pray for all those who are charged with keeping most of us Safe for their Lives are on the Line ... May Good be The Word this Week!
~ ~ Musically and with Concerns for Carolin Widmann ~ ~
*I offer you my sympathies for your traumatic time and also offer You true blue congratulations for wrapping your "Baby" in loving sweater arms all the way from Helsinki to Frankfurt Int'l Airport as a loving Mother does for her little tots. I am deeply sorry for your horror story and quiet pray- hope Things Will Improve. It is said for those who are good, "All Things work to Good for Those who do good and Love God" ... My warm greetings to dear Carolin Widmann ... Elisabeth 'M'
~ ~ Musically from Chicago, USA ~ ~
.......... Elisabeth Matesky .........
Fwd ~ dmg "Save" Book File Unusual Events 2025 V.com Airlines {#20}
A Word ~ I Can't resist @Andrew Fryer's Comment re Storage on Flights! {#21} ~ As from Elisabeth Matesky, Just Above, JH Apostle JH VMC Films YT plus private studies w/Nathan Milstein ~
I think @Andrew Fryer's Comment truly appropriate and Practical!!! He sees a solution to a growing Problem and deduces placing Children & I'm right now suspecting crying non stop little tot's in those Storage places Above the Airplane Seats to make room for a suitcase or Carry On, aka, lite possible small violin case etc., and to save immense troubles later ... If Only, Mr. Fryer?! The late Erma Bombeck once stated: "If you have a real problem you can not fix, then Laugh at it!!" Amen ~ I enjoyed your simple idea/Solution!!! At least I've had a needed Laugh! EM
~ ~ Musically from The Windy City ~ ~
............ Elisabeth Matesky ............
Fwd ~ dmg Save *Book File Rare Reply Andrew Fryer re Children {#21}
What a horrible situation! I've never had a problem getting my fiddle onboard, but I did have an issue with a very hyper family who kept jumping up to open the overhead compartment where my violin was stored after the fasten seatbelt signs were on just before takeoff. I look up to see my violin angled towards the floor about to come sliding out. In my annoyed panic I motioned for cabin crew and pointed to the family and my precariously perched fiddle, she went over and scolded the family for not being seated. I guess my expression was leaning towards getting me put on a no-fly list because she then (very gently) offered to put my violin in the forward closet for the flight. I was so grateful.
-M
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December 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM · How odd. Most airlines now have an explicit exemption for instrument cases on their websites. Let’s hope the outcry forces this carrier to catch up.