We have received this appeal from Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli, international performer and doublebass teacher at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance:
On August 28, 2024, I was on Flight FR585 from Pisa to Stansted with my double bass. As a frequent flyer with Ryanair, I’ve generally been satisfied with the service, but what happened at Pisa that day was deeply troubling. Despite Ryanair’s stated commitment to supporting passengers with neurodivergence (of which I am one) and recognizing the Sunflower Card, my experience was far from supportive:
I was forced to pay €32 for Priority Boarding, even though my bow could easily fit in the overhead locker. Initially, I was incorrectly told I needed to buy an additional seat for it. I have never paid for priority boarding for my bow case (which is very small) and have always been assisted with priority boarding due to my Sunflower Card without being charged extra. I felt extremely upset when the staff shouted at me without respect, and my boyfriend had to step in. Is this really how Ryanair’s Sunflower Card policy is implemented? It seems no one, neurotypical or otherwise, should be treated this way.
Additionally, I was informed that my double bass—which I had already paid €50 for as per Ryanair’s website—required an additional seat. It’s obvious that a flight case for a double bass won’t fit on an extra seat. The staff member at the counter then asked me to place the double bass on the regular luggage belt, where it didn’t fit. I suggested weighing it on the oversize belt (which I’ve used many times at Pisa), but she lied and told me there was no scale. Later, a colleague of hers said there was a scale, but it was broken. Eventually, they allowed me to weigh the double bass on a faulty scale, charging me €11 per kilo, for a total of €132. This was an unexpected and unfair cost, especially since I’ve flown with Ryanair before and never encountered this issue. If a bicycle can be up to 30kg, why should a musical instrument be treated differently?
Policy Discrepancies: Ryanair’s policies on musical instruments are confusing and inconsistent. While the weight limit for musical instruments is 20kg, bikes are allowed up to 30kg. My double bass, including its case, weighs around 30kg, making it impractical for many musicians to travel with such an allowance.
These issues highlight a broader problem with the current policy and how it is applied. Musical instruments are essential tools for musicians, and traveling with them should be managed with the same respect as other types of equipment.
Gianluca Marcianò happened to be at Pisa airport and witnessed the entire situation. He courageously stood up to defend my rights, for which I am deeply grateful.
As part of the musician community and as someone who is neurodivergent, I urge Ryanair to review and revise its policies to ensure fair treatment for musicians. Increasing the weight limit for musical instruments and applying the rules more consistently would significantly reduce the stress musicians face while traveling.
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