A routine flight turned into an expensive ordeal when three Quebec musicians were kicked off their WestJet plane. The reason? A trombone.
What should have been a simple flight became a nightmare for three Quebec musicians. Gate staff had assured Hélène Lemay she could bring her trombone aboard, noting plenty of overhead bin space was available. Following standard protocol, the musicians boarded without issue.
Things Got Heated
But one flight attendant had other ideas. Despite the previous clearance, they insisted the trombone had to go. According to singer Mia Wistaff, the crew member’s response was harsh: “sit down, shut up, and don’t move.” The situation escalated when staff forcefully removed the instrument from the cabin.
Plot Twist
The drama didn’t end there. A maintenance issue forced all passengers to deplane. When boarding resumed, the musicians discovered they were no longer welcome — the pilot had personally refused their re-entry.
The Damage
The incident left the trio stranded in Edmonton, forcing them to rent a car for the journey to Kelowna. Between the damaged trombone and travel expenses, the ordeal has cost them over $7,000.
WestJet’s Response
After initial silence, WestJet finally issued an apology and promised to make things right. The airline says it will reimburse all travel expenses and cover the instrument damage. They’ve also committed to communicating with the travelers in French.
Not An Isolated Incident
Canadian airlines have a troubled history with musical instruments. Just months before the WestJet incident, renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason — famous for performing at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding — was forced to cancel his Toronto concert when Air Canada denied boarding to his $3.15 million Goffriller cello. Despite having a confirmed seat for the instrument, Kanneh-Mason spent nine anxious hours at the airport before giving up. “We can only dream of a time when all airlines have a standardized, global approach to the carriage of precious instruments,” the musician later stated.
“It was way too much. I mean, we didn’t do anything,” says guitarist Jimmy Lahaie. Sometimes, even following all the rules doesn’t guarantee smooth flying.
Fun fact: A professional trombone can cost anywhere from $3,000 to over $30,000. Most airlines’ standard instrument liability coverage maxes out at just $2,000 — which is why musicians fight so hard to keep their instruments in the cabin.
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