This weekend is going to be very busy (Image: Pexels)
As millions of Brits gear up for a festive flight extravaganza, travel experts issue a stark warning: the joy of gifting could turn into a financial nightmare, with unexpected baggage fees tipping the scales at a hefty £100 or more. Navigating the labyrinthine rules of airline check-in, passengers may be unaware that even wrapped Christmas presents fall prey to the stringent 10-item 100ml liquid and electronic hand luggage restrictions.
Caught in these unwelcome snares could mean a pricey checked-bag add-on, or worse, saying goodbye to precious gifts that break the 100ml mark or cluster multiple items into a breach of the regulations.
With last year’s statistic of 22.5 million British globetrotters winging their way to distant loved ones, Hadleigh Diamond, the travel sage and commercial director of luxury airport transit firm SCS Chauffeurs, delivers his travel commandments for crossing borders with Yuletide parcels.
Hadleigh said: “Airlines are cracking down on baggage allowances and checked-luggage fees can quickly add up – especially when budgets are already stretched by the rising cost of living. If you’re travelling abroad with Christmas presents this year, packing smart is essential.”
Travellers have been given a stark warning about potential pitfalls when packing Christmas gifts in hand luggage this year. Valuable presents like alcohol bottles, perfumes over 100ml, or even gift sets of travel safe-sized items could be seized by airport security or incur a hefty check-in fee of £65 per person.
How much extra baggage costs
- EasyJet – £40
- Ryanair – £65
- British Airways – £75 to £95
- Wizz – minimum £48
Worst Presents for hand luggage
- Beauty gift sets
- Toy weapons
- Full-size bottles of alcohol
- Toys with batteries
- Kitchen knife sets
Many will be heading off this weekend (Image: PA)
Hadleigh advised: “Don’t wrap presents beforehand. Security may need to inspect items, and unwrapping gifts at the airport can be inconvenient for both you and those also waiting to get their luggage checked.
“Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. Security checks may require wrapped presents to be unwrapped, so opt for gift bags to save you any time and effort.
“Check prohibited items lists. Certain gifts, like alcohol or aerosols, will have restrictions. Check the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s guidelines and the rules for what items are prohibited, depending on your destination.
“Consider shipping gifts directly to your destination. Use Boots click and collect service to collect items after security.”
Brits with a case of wanderlust are set to flock abroad in droves this festive season, with 37% planning overseas jaunts from mid-December to early January – a threefold increase from last year’s mere 11%. The travel industry is bracing for ‘Flyaway Friday’ on December 20, tipped as the busiest day for holiday departures, with airports gearing up for a surge in passengers and potential snarl-ups.
Spain, Italy, and France are topping the charts as the go-to destinations for Christmas 2024, reveals a study by luxury travel firm Scott Dunn, which canvassed opinions from 2,000 UK adults and sifted through its own booking figures. With the anticipated spike in travellers, experts advise meticulous planning to sidestep the impending bedlam.
Matthew Hall, from airport transfer company hoppa, suggests several strategies to dodge the ‘inevitable chaos’ and avert flight mishaps.
Matthew advises: “First and foremost, you should plan your route to the airport well in advance and allow more time than usual to get there. While airports often have fantastic public transport links, car parking facilities and even park-and-ride services, you could face unexpected delays and big queues, especially if you haven’t pre-booked your tickets or space.
“If you are taking hold luggage, consider making use of twilight baggage drop-offs, which allows you to safely and conveniently drop your luggage off the night before in exchange for a small fee. For those who live near the airport, this could save a lot of stress on the day, meaning you’re better able to sail through to security as soon as you arrive.
“If you are particularly conscious of time or the comfort of any passengers you are travelling with, you may want to invest in fast-track passes, which can help make your experience at airport security quicker. These aren’t usually expensive in the grand scheme of things, and can offer a bit of extra peace of mind.”
Rights to compensation if your flight is delayed
If your flight is delayed or cancelled once you get to the airport, there are certain consumer compensation rights to be aware of.
Matthew said: “Although the rules can seem rather long-winded and confusing, passengers should be aware of their rights to claim compensation, expenses and refunds for affected flights. Since leaving the EU, UK flights are still covered by a law that protects passenger’s rights for compensation when faced with travel delays that aren’t their fault.
“The value of the compensation depends on things like the delay length, journey time, and original ticket cost, but you’re covered for at least some money back if your flight is delayed for more than three hours; your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the date of departure; you’ve missed a connecting flight due to delay or cancellation or you’re denied boarding due to overbooking.
“The law (UK261) applies if you are departing from a UK airport or arriving at a UK airport, and non-UK connecting flights can still be covered in some circumstances too. If you are affected, you should file any claims directly with the airline provider, who will have a section on their website with a claims form and any instructions you need to complete it.”
Jonathan Nicholson, spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “To save yourself extra hassle at the airport, be a perfect present packer. This Christmas be aware of any lithium batteries going into your bags, even if they’re gift-wrapped. To protect passenger safety we’re reminding people what they should know before they go.”