Renowned violinist Esther Abrami, signed to Sony Classical, claims she was publicly humiliated by Ryanair staff when she was denied boarding her flight due to her 200-year-old violin. Abrami, who was traveling from Marseille, France, to Berlin, Germany, to record her third studio album, took to Instagram on Wednesday to express her frustration over the incident.
Abrami’s ordeal at the airport
“This is the first time I have experienced such rudeness and public humiliation,” Abrami shared with her 300,000 followers. She recounted being stopped just before boarding and told she could not bring her violin on the plane.
Despite offering to pay for the instrument’s transportation, Ryanair allegedly refused. The 27-year-old musician even offered to purchase an additional seat for the violin, but was told it was too late to do so, even though the flight wasn’t full.
“They refused to let me buy an extra seat anymore,” she wrote. Desperate to protect her fragile, centuries-old instrument, Abrami pleaded with the staff, explaining that she was due to record that same day. Her pleas fell on deaf ears, and she was given an ultimatum—either check the violin with the luggage or leave the airport.
Measuring a priceless instrument
In an attempt to comply, Abrami removed the violin from its case, holding it with only a fabric cover to protect it. She was then instructed to place the case into the luggage measuring area. “The cabin luggage limit was 55cm, and my violin measured 56cm,” she explained. Although the violin fit diagonally, Ryanair staff still refused to allow it on board.
Ultimately, Abrami was able to book another flight with a different airline, which did not impose similar restrictions. “I was incredibly fortunate,” she wrote, highlighting how missing a flight could jeopardize critical career opportunities for musicians. “In an industry where every opportunity counts, such an incident can have a ripple effect, impacting reputation and future prospects. This is simply unacceptable.”
Ryanair responds to controversy
When contacted, Ryanair defended its actions, stating that “Violinists traveling with Ryanair have to obey the same rules as everyone else; if it fits, it can go onboard, but if it doesn’t, it goes in the hold.”
The airline’s response sparked outrage among Abrams’s fans and fellow musicians. Comments poured in on her post, with fellow violinist Tiffany Laurén writing, “Absolutely unacceptable, @ryanair I will never fly with you again!” Musician Alexandra Hauser added, “Shame to you @ryanair!!!!!! Instead of supporting the artists that you might be listening to, you make their lives harder!” Pianist Eliane Correa echoed these sentiments, noting, “@ryanair losing business. Most musicians I know refuse to fly Ryanair with instruments because of instances like this.”
A rising star
Abrami, who plays a rare Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin on loan through the Beare’s International Violin Society, is a classically trained violinist. She graduated from the Royal College of Music in London and completed her master’s degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Named a “Rising Star” by BBC Music Magazine in 2021, she made her Royal Albert Hall debut in 2022. Her accolades include first prize at the Vatelot Rampal Violin Competition, The Arts of Strings Concert Series, and the IMKA International Music Competition. Despite the setback, Abrami remains determined to continue her career, undeterred by the challenges of traveling with a priceless instrument.