Skyscanner helps travellers with flight-friendly gift guidance this festive season

With Christmas preparations well underway, and this week expected to be the busiest time for UK airports ₁, Skyscanner is reminding travellers to be mindful of the gifts they pack and carry on board.  Whether it's visiting family or friends, or escaping the cold to venture somewhere warmer, the world's travel search engine wants travellers to avoid getting caught out by luggage restrictions when packing gifts to avoid bidding them a sad farewell at security.

While the majority may be aware of the basic rules relating to liquids and sharp objects in hand luggage, there are some festive items that travellers aren't clear on.  Party Poppers, for example are banned from flights entirely and can't be placed in hand luggage or hold luggage as they contain explosives.  Admittedly low level, they still pose a security threat and may make New Year's Eve plans fizzle rather than go off with a bang if luggage is held back.

A recent Skyscanner poll showed that just over half of travellers (51%)₂ did not know that all the festive items listed below are prohibited and only 8% knew that Camembert isn't allowed.

Christmas Crackers – Like Party Poppers, they both contain explosives and can still pose a security threat. However, the rules are different depending on the airline and airport.  For example, easyJet allows Christmas crackers in hand luggage but certain UK airports don't, and they would need to go in your hold luggage, You need to check with the airport and not just the airline.  It is also worth remembering that some Christmas crackers contain novelty items like corkscrews, scissors and nail files, which are banned from hand luggage, so always check the contents of the crackers before flying.

Cranberry Sauce – Whilst you are free to take your Christmas turkey onto a plane, Cranberry sauce is a no go.   This is classed as a liquid and therefore can't be carried in hand luggage.  It would need to be 100ml or under to get through security.

Camembert –  This is a food type which starts the flight as a solid but can turn into a liquid and is therefore recommended that you place this in hold luggage. Brandy butter is another soft substance which turns to liquid and would be limited to 100ml.

Travellers should also be aware of restrictions around certain children's gifts.  Toys such as toy guns, bats and any other imitation weapons would also be banned from hand luggage.  Consider packing all gifts, even those which aren't restricted, in your hold luggage rather than in your hand luggage.  If you do have to carry presents in your hand luggage, then it's advisable to use gift bags and avoid wrapping them until you arrive at your destination, as you might find your wrapping efforts will be wasted if you are requested to open them at the security gate.

Lisa Tyndall, Senior Growth Manager at Skyscanner, has this advice “As the busy Christmas period approaches, we want to make sure travellers are aware of the restrictions around luggage to save them from excess baggage charges or having their gifts confiscated.  If flying with gifts and festive treats is a must then it is always best to check your airport and airline before you pack, as the rules can vary. Or travellers could also consider getting their gifts delivered to their festive destination in advance.”

If travellers aren't sure of how much cabin luggage they can take on board, Skyscanner has this guide to baggage rules and restrictions for the UK's biggest airlines.

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For more information: Emma Wiseman, 07747 343233, emma.wiseman@skyscanner.net 

₁Based on Skyscanner flight exit data for all flights departing the UK during the month of December 2018.  Exits made on the Skyscanner site between 1 January 2018 – 12 December 2018.

₂ Skyscanner twitter poll of 198 people.

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