BA faces the music as airline charges for instruments
BRITISH Airways has been branded a “greedy disgrace” by one of the world’s leading classical musicians after the airline apparently announced it was charging for smaller instruments brought on board.
Alison Balsom, the renowned trumpeter, led the revolt against the airline that prompted a chorus of disapproval.
“That’s it, I’m done @British_airways,” wrote Ms Balsom on Twitter, “We’ve all been so patient with the lowering standards but not to let professional musicians bring on their (small) instruments as hand baggage?
“We take hundreds of thousands of flights – it’s our living. A greedy disgrace.”
The complaint trumpeted by Ms Balsom is hard to ignore. She is one of the classical music industry’s most bankable stars, having twice been named female artist of the year at the Classic Brits. Her husband is Sam Mendes, the Oscar-winning film director.
Ms Balsom’s ire was accompanied by stirrings of discontent from the strings section. Rita Manning, a professional violinist, had complained of being charged £240 for a separate seat for her instrument on a flight to Jersey.
Musicians are reluctant to allow precious instruments, often worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, out of their sight and into the hold where atmospheric conditions can also cause damage.
The outcry forced BA to issue a statement apologising for any misunderstanding and an insistence that the policy had not changed A spokesman said: “We will always do our best to accommodate smaller musical instruments in the cabin. In order to ensure there is enough space, larger musical instruments can be carried in the hold.
“Alternatively customers can buy an extra seat at a discounted rate.”