*
banner

Balsom Twitter storm forces British Airways Dal segno

International trumpet star Alison Balsom has forced British Airways into reversing their policy on charging passengers to take their musical instruments on board flights as hand luggage.

Alison Balsom
  Alison Balsom shared her disapproval with her 17,000 Twitter followers that created a social media storm

International trumpet star Alison Balsom has helped force British Airways into a humiliating apology and reversal of their policy to charge musicians to bring their instruments on board flights as hand luggage, after she branded the company a "greedy disgrace".

Pointed disapproval

The newly appointed Artistic Director of the Cheltenham Music Festival recently shared her pointed disapproval of the policy to her 17,000 Twitter followers, writing:

"That's it, I'm done @British_Airways — we've all been so patient with the lowering standards but not to let professional musicians bring on their (small) instruments as hand baggage? We take hundreds of thousands of flights -it's our living. A greedy disgrace."

Struck a chord

It literally struck a chord with fellow musicians after it was re-tweeted, with others sharing their experiences of travelling with British Airways under their intransigent new policy.

On Tuesday, British Airways customer services posted a message to the classical music website, Slipped Disc which stated that a new policy would see instruments carried on flights being charged, but following Balsom's intervention, hours later (and apparently after discussions with the Musicians Union) the social media storm forced them to return to their original policy position.

She later tweeted: "Delighted that @British_Airways and @WearetheMU have been in talks. @British_Airways this is a great opportunity to win back support from thousands of regular customers. The ones that NEED to take hand luggage. Thank you."

We are sorry for the misunderstanding. We appreciate how precious instruments are to musicians and offer special arrangements for transporting themBritish Airways spokesperson

Apology

A British Airways spokesman was reported on the Daily Telegraph website (under a patronisingly tasteless byline which described the award winning musician as 'Trumpet Crumpet'), as saying: "We are sorry for the misunderstanding. We appreciate how precious instruments are to musicians and offer special arrangements for transporting them, which are detailed on ba.com .

We will always do our best to accommodate smaller musical instruments in the cabin.

In order to ensure there is enough space for all customers to store their belongings, larger musical instruments can be carried in the hold in a hard case. Alternatively customers can choose to buy an extra seat to carry them in the cabin at a discounted rate."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Making Music look to INCLUDE for people in community music making

September 22 • A new initiative from the UK's leading association for leisure-time music groups aims to increase access to


bbw MAGAZINE

Brass Band World magazine: Latest edition out now

September 22 • The latest edition of Brass BAND World magazine is now out — covering the British Open Championships and a preview of next month's Royal Albert Hall showdown.


Blachklang

Youth boost to latest International Summer Brass Band Camp in Germany

September 22 • 30 children took part in the latest ISBBC Summer Camp in Germany as the brass band movement continues to sow the musical seeds for the future.


Amersham

180 not out...

September 22 • The Amersham Band recently celebrated its 180th anniversary with a performance that recalled their first contest against rival opponents...


The Hepworth Band - Holmfirth Arts Festival - Forces of Nature

Saturday 23 September • St David's Church Hall, Woodhead Road, Holmbridge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. HD92NQ


South Yorkshire Police - Concert by South Yorkshire Police Band

Saturday 23 September • Todwick Village Hall. 71 Kiverton Lane. Todwick . Sheffield . S26 1HJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 24 September • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross . Saddleworth . Oldham OL3 5AD


Enderby Band - The Melton Band

Sunday 24 September • Melton Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HJ


The GUS Band - The GUS Band 90th Anniversary Celebration Concert

Sunday 24 September • Northampton High School,. Newport Pagnell Road,. Hardingstone,. Northampton NN4 6UU


Chinnor Silver

September 22 • Chinnor Silver Band (2nd section National finalists 2023) are looking to strengthen their ranks. We require a Bass player(either flavour) Bass trombone and percussionist. We are a friendly band with a good mix of Concerts and Contests planned for 2023/24


Easingwold Town Band

September 21 • We are an enterprising, forward-looking, inclusive 4th Section band with vacancies for soprano cornet, front-row cornet and Eb bass. Enjoy a friendly welcome at our bandroom in Easingwold, 12 miles N of York (postcode YO61 3DB). Come for a blow!


Easingwold Town Band

September 21 • We are an enterprising, forward-looking, inclusive 4th Section band with vacancies for soprano cornet, front-row cornet and Eb bass. You’ll find a friendly welcome at our bandroom in Easingwold, 12 miles N of York (postcode YO61 3DB). Come for a blow!. . C


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2023 4barsrest.com Ltd