Christmas flyers heading to the US should note that crackers are banned on all airlines flying to the destination including Delta, United, American Airlines and British Airways in hand and checked luggage.
Christmas travellers wishing to take the festivities of home abroad with them this December, should approach with caution when packing this Christmas must-have – the Christmas Cracker. Award-winning airport parking operator and retailer Airport Parking & Hotels (APH.com), has researched into the airline policies for flying with Christmas crackers, uncovering that over two thirds of the most popular airlines have a strict no-cracker rule onboard.
Thankfully, Christmas is a time of giving and British Airways, Qantas and easyJet are amongst the airlines that have embraced the festive spirit by allowing flyers to pack two boxes of Christmas Crackers in their checked luggage as long as they are contained within their original packaging and sealed shut. Similarly, Virgin Atlantic asks that passengers stick to these rules and only carry one box of crackers per passenger.
Christmas flyers heading to the US should note that crackers are banned on all airlines flying to the destination including Delta, United, American Airlines and British Airways in hand and checked luggage. Passengers travelling to any destination with luxury crackers should also be wary when returning home as some cracker surprises, such as scissors, will need to be packed in checked luggage (dependent on their size). Finally, a word of warning for craft enthusiasts, homemade crackers are completely banned with all the airlines.
Other Christmas essentials that can be found on airline’s naughty lists include snow globes, champagne, brandy butter and cheese boards. All of these festive indulgences should be packed in hold luggage. Also, flyers are advised to not travel with already wrapped gifts as they may need to be unwrapped by airport security staff.
Airlines that accept Christmas crackers:
- British Airways – Two boxes sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage. However, crackers are banned on flights to the US.
- Eastern Airways – One box sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
- easyJet – Two boxes sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
- Qantas – Two boxes sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
- Qatar – Two boxes sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage. However, crackers are banned on flights to the US.
- South African Airlines – One box sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
- TUI Airways – Two boxes sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
- Virgin Atlantic – One box per passenger sealed in original packaging stored in checked luggage.
Airlines that do not accept Christmas crackers:
- Aer Lingus
- Air France
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Flybe
- Icelandair
- JET2
- KLM
- Norwegian Airlines
- RyanAir
- SAS Scandinavian
- Singapore Airlines
- United
- WestJet
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
