If you are flying to visit family this Christmas, you should definitely double check with airline regulations about banned items.
This is because some of the most popular festive things – like Christmas crackers – are among the restricted items under packing regulations.
Under heightened security measures, airlines such as Ryanair, Etihad, Emirates and Norwegian Airlines have all banned Christmas crackers, usually a key part of a festive dinner, under their instructions.
Passengers are not permitted to fly with the crackers, either in their hand luggage or in checked baggage.
Crackers fall under the ban because they fall under the explosives and flammable substances and devices for certain airlines.
Some airlines, such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, do let you fly with crackers, however there are restrictions.
British Airways let you fly with two sealed boxes of crackers in original packaging in your checked luggage, except on US flights.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic let you fly with one sealed box in original packaging, packed in your checked luggage.
The tight guidelines also cover to party poppers, which contain a small explosive charge to push out the confetti and are banned on all flights leaving the UK.
Also banned is a seemingly harmless Christmas food, chestnuts, although the exact reasons for why are unclear.
You can bring 2kg into the UK from countries in the EU, and from a number of European and Mediterranean countries.
However, many other countries do not let you to pack even one in your hold luggage.
Nick Caunter, MD of Airport Parking & Hotels Ltd, said: “Packing crackers in particular is a bit of minefield, with airlines and airports having their own, sometimes conflicting restrictions.
“So we’ve undertaken this research to hopefully make life a little easier for those flying this Christmas.”
“If you do decide to bring crackers, with you when flying the best thing to do is pack them in checked luggage and avoid having them in hand luggage.
“But it’s really important you tell check-in staff you’ve packed them in your checked luggage.”
