The airline was responding to a violist's complaint that she was forced to check her instrument into the hold last week

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German airline Lufthansa has responded via Twitter to a musician's complaint that she was forced to check her viola into the hold last week.  Finnish National Opera deputy principal violist Sekyeong Cheon posted images and video of the viola arriving in the baggage hall on her Twitter feed, commenting 'This is not OK'.

Following the incident, Signum Quartet first violinist and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen concertmaster Florian Donderer asked the airline to clarify its musical instrument baggage policy.

Lufthansa responded:

'It depends on the check-in at the airport, if there is enough space to transport the instrument in cabin, as it exceeds the measurements for hand luggage. However passengers have the possibility to reserve a seat for their instrument against a charge. That way you can make sure, you are able to transport the instrument in cabin.'

Earlier this year Norwegian Air changed its hand baggage policy regarding the carriage of musical instruments, stating that violins and violas would be allowed in the cabin. In 2014 Air Canada also changed its hand baggage policy to allow violas in the cabin along with violins in response to intense social media pressure.

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