Renowned violinist Carolin Widmann found herself in a tough spot when Lufthansa ground staff at Helsinki airport refused to allow her violin case aboard her flight to Frankfurt. The German violinist was forced to check her empty case as luggage and carry her bare 1782 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin in her arms throughout the entire journey home to Leipzig.

The incident occurred on November 28, 2024, following Widmann's performance with the Tapiloa Sinfonietta in Finland. At check-in, Lufthansa representatives claimed her standard violin case exceeded cabin baggage dimensions, despite the case measuring 80cm x 27cm x 16cm – actually smaller in volume than typical carry-on luggage allowed at 55cm x 40cm x 25cm. When offered the option to purchase an extra seat for her instrument, Widma

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