These musicians bought a seat for cello worth $4.5M. Air Canada wouldn’t let it on board
A renowned pair of classical musicians, including the talented British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, faced disappointment as they were forced to cancel a highly anticipated sold-out show in Toronto. The reason behind this abrupt change in plans was Air Canada’s refusal to allow them to board their flight with a cello, despite having purchased a separate seat for the instrument.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason and his pianist sister Isata were set to perform at Koerner Hall on Wednesday evening, but their travel woes led to the unfortunate cancellation of the event. In an Instagram post, the siblings shared their frustration over the series of events that unfolded, starting with flight delays and cancellations, culminating in being denied boarding with the cello on their final flight into Toronto.
Although the specific airline responsible was not explicitly mentioned in their statement, the post included a hashtag for Air Canada and tagged the airline’s official account. Sheku Kanneh-Mason gained global recognition in 2018 when he showcased his musical prowess by playing the cello at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle, an event viewed by over two billion people worldwide.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Air Canada informed CBC News via email that the airline typically accepts cellos in the cabin when a separate seat is booked for the instrument. However, in this case, the last-minute booking due to a canceled flight on another airline created complications. The airline is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding why the cello was not successfully rebooked.
The cello at the center of the controversy holds significant historical and monetary value, being over 300 years old and crafted by renowned Venetian luthier Matteo Goffriller around 1700. Its worth exceeds three million euros, equivalent to approximately $4.5 million Canadian dollars. Air Canada’s policy dictates that an extra seat must be purchased for a musical instrument that exceeds certain size and weight restrictions, emphasizing that the number of instruments accommodated on each flight is limited.
This is not the first instance where Sheku Kanneh-Mason encountered challenges while transporting his cello by air. In 2023, he publicly criticized British Airways on social media, alleging a similar incident where he was denied boarding with the cello despite purchasing a seat for it. The musician highlighted the recurring issue faced by professional musicians traveling with instruments that cannot be treated as checked baggage.
In their Instagram post, the musical siblings, who come from a family of musicians, called for airlines to establish clearer policies regarding the transportation of musical instruments. They expressed hope for a future where all airlines adopt a standardized, global approach to safely accommodating precious instruments in the cabin. Despite the setback, Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason are diligently working to reschedule their Toronto performance for next year.
The canceled concert was supposed to feature cello sonatas by Mendelssohn, Faure, Poulenc, and the Canadian premiere of a composition by British violinist and composer Natalie Klouda. The Royal Conservatory has rescheduled the event to June 3, 2025, allowing Canadian music enthusiasts to experience the duo’s exceptional talent at a later date.
