Sharon Corr was about to board a flight to Dublin but claims she was denied boarding by the airline for having her violin with her

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Corr image: Guillaume Bounaud

Violinist Sharon Corr alleges she was denied onboard a Ryanair flight for having her violin with her

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Sharon Corr, the violinist of the Irish band The Corrs, says she was left ‘humiliated’ after being denied onboard a Ryanair flight to Dublin.

Corr was travelling from Madrid to Dublin on 30 June 2024 to rehearse with The Corrs for the band’s upcoming tour. She had her violin with her and claims that after seven hours of waiting at the airport, was denied onboard the flight.

Taking to social media, Corr said, ’Today I was booked on a Ryanair flight. I got up at 6 in the morning. I was not allowed on the flight because I had my violin. I was in the airport for 7 hours. I had to return home after searching for my checked in bags.

’Humiliated, angry, then crying as only a good woman can do. Why was I going to Dublin? My home turf, to rehearse, to go on tour! I’m beyond disappointed.’

Referring to the CEO of RyanAir, she concluded: ’ Michael O’Leary shame on you.’

Ryanair’s website states its policy regarding musical instruments in the cabin: ’Smaller musical items (such as guitars, violins or violas) larger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm can be carried in the cabin on a seat you have reserved and paid the appropriate fare for.’

A spokesperson for the airline claimed that Corr’s violin exceeded the cabin bag dimensions permitted for the flight, requiring her to pay a standard gate baggage fee to bring the instrument onboard. They claimed: ’This passenger refused to pay the standard fee and instead chose not to travel on this flight.’

Corr responded to the airline’s statement, saying additionally on social media: ’I offered to buy a seat for my violin and was refused! You cannot place a violin in the hold as obviously it is a fragile instrument. I was refused by them to travel.’

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