UPDATE: 2023/02/13 18:09 EST BY JONATHAN E. HENDRY
A successful resolution for violinists
Simple Flying spoke to a representative for Janusz Wawrowski and confirmed the situation had a positive solution. The airline reached out to the artist and did its best to solve the problem and to make all luggage rules clear for the future.
In a follow-up statement, the artist confirmed the airline had taken the following actions to ensure the situation was not repeated:
1. Acknowledged an employee's mistake and stated that it allows violins onboard all its planes
2. Standardized the information on its website regarding bringing musical instruments and cabin luggage.
(https://www.lot.com/.../sport.../musical-instruments)
3. Promised to issue a one-page notice to all its employees and colleagues around the world on how the airline carries the instruments in question. Of course, violins in the cabin. Thank you very much for that
4. Apologized to me both in the media, in an official letter, and by phone
5. Issued a refund of the additional costs incurred, as well as a refund of the amount for the ticket.
"A lot of good can come out of the whole situation. We are in talks about a campaign describing how and where we carry the instruments in question on the plane."
One of the world's most prominent violinists carrying an original Stradivarius violin was denied boarding on a LOT Polish Airlines flight after he declined to check the 337-year-old violin in the luggage hold.
The musician was traveling from Vilnius International Airport after a performance with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra when he was instructed he would not be able to board the flight with the instrument as a carry-on.
Janusz Wawrowski from Konin in Wielkopolska is the only person allowed to carry the violin, which is valued at over $5 million. He had flown with the instrument previously, including with LOT Polish Airlines from its hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport for the performance. The musician confirmed that ground staff at the airport presented him with two options: Place the instrument in the luggage compartment below deck, or stay in Vilnius.
Reaction from the airline
When made aware of the violin's value, the agent said, "we'll see if it gets damaged in the hold," according to a statement from the artist. Wawrowski confirmed that he weighed the violin's carrying case at the desk, and it came in at less than 6 kg and was precisely 118 centimeters.
The current guidance on the LOT website states passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on baggage up to 8 kg with a total dimension not exceeding 118 cm.
Check out our guide to several major carriers' policies on musical instruments in the cabin here.
A representative at the LOT ticket office informed the customer that he could ask the crew of the next departing flight to Warsaw if he could board with the violin but that he would have to purchase another ticket. The ticket agent then indicated that the previous flight had been overbooked, and another customer had been bumped to the next flight departing in five hours. This option had not been offered to Mr Wawrowski, and he was told his existing ticket was not valid for further travel.
The violinist was not able to come to a resolution with the airline immediately and returned home to Warsaw on a bus - a journey of approximately eight hours, undertaken at the artist's own expense.
How can a violin be worth so much?
The violin in question was created by Antonio Stradivari in 1685, the year when John Sebastian Bach was born, making it one of the most valuable violins in the world. Its authenticity has been certified, and it is valued at €5 million ($5,366,800).
The Stradivarius is especially meaningful to the cultural history of Poland as it is the only surviving instrument of this class in the country's post-war history. The violin was purchased by an anonymous donor as a gift to the nation and was named Polonia in December 2018 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Poland's independence. Speaking of the violin, Wawrowski explained its cultural significance:
"This Stradivarius is much more than a wonderful violin, it could become the ambassador of our music in the world. Its story and amazing sound attract attention immediately, whenever I mention it and wherever it appears!"
The violin is kept at the Royal Castle of Warsaw, with Janusz Wawrowski being its only user. The virtuoso is considered by many to be the most outstanding Polish violinist of his generation.