Can you take Christmas crackers on a plane? Baggage rules explained
Airports are gearing up for a surge in travellers over the Christmas and New Year period.
London’s Heathrow is expecting about 6.5 million passengers to pass through this month, while Christmas traffic is forecast to peak on Friday 22 December, according to the RAC.
Airline passengers flying with festive gifts or party accessories are being warned over baggage rules, however.
Can you take Christmas crackers on a plane?
For many travellers, getting settled on a plane marks the beginning of their Christmas break proper.
As such, the desire to mark the occasion with Christmas accessories, such as crackers or a glass of bubbly is appealing.
However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned air travellers to travel safely and pack correctly so that presents and party materials reach their destinations without any disruption.
According to the CAA, party poppers are banned from UK flights.
It states that Christmas crackers can be carried, but they must be in their original packaging.
Airlines have their own rules, however, so check directly with your airline to see if this is permitted – very few do.
British Airways (BA) is one of the few airlines to permit passengers to carry Christmas crackers, but only a maximum of two boxes, which must be in their original packaging, and in the hold, not in hand luggage.
BA says: “Festive crackers cannot be carried in your hand baggage as they contain a restricted substance. They must be packed into your checked baggage and put in the hold.”
Christmas crackers are also prohibited on all flights to and from the USA.
According to BA, you can only take Christmas crackers on flights departing the UK if:
- Your crackers are commercially manufactured and in their original unopened packaging. Homemade crackers are not permitted under any circumstances
- You’re travelling with a maximum of two boxes per person, with a total of 12 crackers per box, for personal use only
- Your crackers are packed in your checked baggage and carried in the hold. For flights departing from the USA, check the latest TSA guidelines. Rules vary in other countries
However, Ryanair – like many other airlines – considers Christmas crackers to be an explosive substance, meaning they are prohibited.
A statement on their website reads: “Wait until you get to your destination to buy party poppers, sparklers, fireworks or Christmas crackers.
“These are considered explosive or flammable substances – and can’t be carried on board as they contain explosive or highly combustible substances which pose a risk to the health of passengers and crew and the security or safety of the aircraft property.”
Elsewhere, Emirates, Air India, Delta and Aer Lingus also prohibit the carrying of crackers on their flights.
