With December upon us, many will be gearing up to jet off on flights to visit loved ones or for a Christmas holiday. However, most airlines have important and surprising rules in place for the festive season, which many Brits are unaware of.
Luckily for those heading abroad this Christmas, Airport Parking and Hotels, the UK’s leading independent airport parking provider, has released a recently updated guide revealing everything soon-to-be travellers need to know ahead of their flights this winter.
The guide helps Brits understand which airlines and airports will allow them to carry their festive favourites and the restrictions that apply when packing for their trip.
While it may seem harmless to pack a box of Christmas crackers into your luggage, APH’s research found that the rules can vary dramatically between airlines and even at different departure airports.
In fact, for festive flyers heading to the US, it is a complete no-go. The US Transportation Security Administration has confirmed that crackers are prohibited from flying in checked or carry-on bags due to their flammable contents, placing them in the same category as sparklers and fireworks.
For those staying closer to home, British Airways allows passengers to carry up to two boxes of sealed, factory-made crackers in their checked luggage, although this is not permitted on US-bound flights.
In contrast, Virgin Atlantic permits just one box per person.
Budget carrier easyJet is one of the few airlines to permit crackers in both hand and checked baggage, while Qantas, South African Airways and Air New Zealand allow sealed boxes in hold luggage only.
However, travellers flying with popular airlines such as Emirates, Ryanair, KLM, Lufthansa and American Airlines will find crackers firmly put on the banned list, with these carriers refusing to carry them altogether.
In fact, on its website, Ryanair categorises bringing crackers, alongside toys that look like weapons, on board in your hand luggage as “absolute no-nos”.
“Do wait until you get to your destination to buy party poppers, sparklers, fireworks or Christmas crackers,” it says.
Airport rules can also catch out unsuspecting passengers. Gatwick Airport permits up to two unopened boxes in hand luggage, while Heathrow bans them entirely from security.
Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol and Birmingham Airports ban them from hand luggage and are subject to airline approval.
Even when airlines and airports do allow crackers, there are still strict guidelines to follow. They must be commercially manufactured, sealed in their original packaging and never homemade. Passengers should also check what is inside, as novelty gifts such as scissors or screwdrivers can be considered prohibited items in hand luggage.
Nick Caunter, managing director of APH, said: “Many travellers are unaware that packing a box of Christmas crackers in their luggage can cause issues at the airport. With different rules across the airlines and airports, our APH guide is designed to help passengers avoid unnecessary hassle and make sure their journey starts and ends seamlessly.”
For travellers looking to add a festive touch to their holidays, APH recommends savvy travellers check both airline and airport policies before packing. A little advance planning will ensure festive fun takes off without a hitch this holiday season.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
