The beloved Christmas cracker is as much an essential festive tradition as tinsel, mulled wine, stockings and presents.
However, travellers flying abroad this Christmas and planning on packing a festive box (or two!) in their luggage, are advised to check airline and departure airport rules before travelling with some airlines 'cracking down' and banning them altogether.
Luckily, award winning airport parking specialist, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), has 'pulled' together a handy guide comparing the airline and airport rules for flying with Christmas crackers this year.
Available in www.aph.com/christmascrackers, the guide reveals of the 26 airlines featured 15 airlines including Emirates, Ryanair and Wizz Air have put them on the 'no-fly list'. The remaining 11 airlines allowing passengers to bring Christmas crackers onboard include British Airways, Jet2 and Etihad Airways, if packed in original packaging and placed in checked luggage.
Surprisingly, easyJet, TUI and Air New Zealand also allow passengers to take crackers as cabin luggage however travellers should check their departure airport rules with London Heathrow Airport recommending passengers not to take them through the airport.
Packing rules between the airlines also differ quite significantly with British Airways, easyJet, Qantas and TUI allowing two boxes per person whereas Eastern Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic limit passengers to only one box per person. Air New Zealand also states there is no limit on the quantity of crackers brought onboard however cracker snaps, used to make the snapping sound on home-made crackers, are not permitted to be carried in carry-on or checked-in luggage when not contained within a whole cracker.
Planning on flying to the US for a Christmas break? Unfortunately, crackers are banned on all flights coming in and out according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) so avoid taking them at all.
Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) said, “Packing for a Christmas holiday can come with its challenges, and we want to help savvy travellers enjoy as much of a stress-free travelling experience as possible. The rules vary between airlines, airports and destination countries and are a little complex, so please use this guide carefully.”
