Air Canada refuses to let the Kanneh-Mason duo board their flight due to their cello, causing the cancellation of a sold-out concert.
In an unexpected turn of events, the brother-sister duo of renowned classical musicians Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason were denied boarding on a flight to Toronto, resulting in the cancellation of their sold-out concert at the famed concert venue, Koerner Hall.
According to reports, Sheku was barred from boarding a British Airways flight last year with his 300-year-old Matteo Gofriller cello, worth more than €3 million, despite having already purchased a seat for the instrument. This incident prompted Sheku to call for better airline protocol, emphasising the need for a more efficient and consistent approach.
The incident with Air Canada, however, is still under review. Air Canada's policy allows musical instruments, including cellos, to be carried onboard as part of carry-on baggage if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, or passengers may purchase an extra seat at a 50% fare discount to accommodate the instrument in the same cabin. However, the number of musical instruments allowed onboard is limited, and arrangements must be made at least 48 hours before departure.
Sheku and Isata experienced delays, a cancellation, and were eventually denied boarding on a new flight into Toronto. The Air Canada spokesperson stated that the cello was not successfully rebooked when the duo made a last-minute booking due to their original flight on another airline being cancelled.
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Isata Kanneh-Mason delivered a stunning performance of Clara Schumann's Scherzo No.2 in C Minor at a different venue. The concert scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto included Mendelssohn cello sonatas, music by Fauré and Poulenc, and the Canadian premiere of a piece by British violinist and composer Natalie Klouda.
The duo is now working to find a new date to perform in Toronto next year. Our website has contacted Air Canada for an additional comment regarding the incident.
The brother-sister duo, Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, faced a setback in their entertainment line, as they were unable to perform classical music at Koerner Hall, due to a cancellation caused by their denial of boarding on a flight to Toronto. Additionally, despite Air Canada's policy that allows musical instruments onboard, the duo's classical cello was not successfully rebooked when they made a last-minute booking, resulting in their present predicament.
