More than 4.7 million Brits are expected to hit the skies during Christmas and New Year this December, but travel experts at an airport transfer company are warning them that bringing Christmas gifts to the airport can incur £100s in checked-baggage charges for breaking airline check-in rules
Whilst most travellers are aware of the 10-item 100ml liquid and electronic hand luggage restrictions, many Brits may not realise these rules also apply to Christmas gifts - even if they’re wrapped. The rule, in force for all domestic and international travellers, means one simple Christmas gift could result in a checked-bag charge. They could even face losing the gift if it is more than 100ml in size, or the gift box contains multiple items contributing to the maximum of 10 items.
As 22.5 million Brits visited friends or family abroad last year, travel expert and commercial director of luxury airport transfer company SCS Chauffeurs, Hadleigh Diamond, has shared the dos and don’ts of travelling abroad with Christmas presents.
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.
"Without careful planning, valuable gifts like bottles of alcohol, perfumes over 100ml, or even beautifully wrapped gift sets of travel safe-sized items could be confiscated by airport security, or face an airport check-in fee of £65 per person. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can pack smart this holiday season, like avoiding heavy items and leaving out anything that takes up unnecessary space.”
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
Hadleigh offered some tips, saying: “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."
According to separate research, more than a third (37%) of Brits are planning to go abroad during the festive period of mid-December to early January – three times more than last year (11%). Experts are warning that ‘Flyaway Friday’ on December 20 is set to be the peak day to travel, with airports especially busy and queues or delays predicted to be more likely.
Those heading to Spain, Italy and France on this date should take particular note, as these are the most popular destinations for a Christmas trip in 2024, according to new research by luxury holiday provider, Scott Dunn, which spoke to 2,000 UK adults and analysed its own booking data. The sheer volume of extra travellers could cause issues, so some prior preparation is essential, according to an expert.
Matthew Hall from airport transfer specialists hoppa, said there were a number of ways you try to avoid some of the ‘inevitable chaos’ and ensure you don’t miss your flight.
Matthew said: “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.”
