{"id":110269,"date":"2024-12-12T15:08:07","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T20:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=110269"},"modified":"2024-12-13T07:00:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T12:00:02","slug":"scoop-sheku-isata-kanneh-mason-cancel-toronto-appearance-airline-denies-seat-cello","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/12\/12\/scoop-sheku-isata-kanneh-mason-cancel-toronto-appearance-airline-denies-seat-cello\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Sheku And Isata Kanneh-Mason Cancel Toronto Appearance After Airline Denies Seat For Cello"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pianist
Pianist Isata and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (Photo courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s like the punchline from a bad joke. Sister and brother classical music sensations Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason were forced to cancel their Toronto appearance last night, December 11, after a series of airline mishaps scuttled their travel plans.<\/p>\n

The London, UK based siblings were set to depart yesterday morning, however their original flight was cancelled. One alternative flight was found with a timeline that would make it tight, but still feasible to perform at Koerner Hall by 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

The problem? The airline refused to give them a third seat to accommodate Sheku\u2019s cello.<\/p>\n

The Royal Conservatory attempted to reason with the airline in question, but to no avail \u2014 even after approvals had been secured at various levels of the airline bureaucracy by phone, the gate agent simply decided to nix the idea at the last minute. The airline in question? Air Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Air Canada & Cellos<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not the first time musicians, and cello players in particular<\/a>, have had issues with Air Canada.<\/p>\n

Back in 2015, Canada\u2019s national airline announced an overhaul of its policies on passengers who travel with carry-on instruments.<\/p>\n

Their current policy on musical instruments<\/a> is somewhat complicated. If they can fit under the seat or into the overhead bin, they\u2019re acceptable. The policy specifically mentions that if violins, guitars or violas (only) are slightly larger than the carry-on size requirements, and if space is available, they may still be accommodated.<\/p>\n

Cellos are not mentioned, but the airline does have a policy of allowing a 50% discount for an extra seat purchased for an instrument larger than the carry-on guidelines. Arrangements, it stipulates, are to be made in advance.<\/p>\n