Flying With Christmas Crackers & Other Festive Items: Here Are The Rules You Should Be Aware Of
By Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo - Journalist | Simple Flying
During the Christmas season, most travelers require information on what festive products are permitted on planes. Whether traveling to see family or going on a holiday vacation, it is important to know the airline’s rules on carrying items linked to this time of year.
The aviation authorities constantly reassess and modify the security measures. Although restrictions on Christmas items are still stringent, new screening technologies may lead to more liberal measures concerning festive items on aircraft. But what items are we talking about?
Christmas crackers: a complex case
Christmas crackers, which are popular during the festive period , are among the items that prove difficult to travel with by air. The policies differ greatly from one airline to another.
British Airways allows passengers to take two boxes of crackers in their check-in luggage, while other airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, and Ryanair, do not allow crackers at all.
For those who have never seen them, a cracker is a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper in a package similar to traditional candy wrappers.
By pulling on the ends, the cracker breaks apart, emitting a small bang produced by a strip of paper impregnated with silver fulminate or another unstable chemical, which explodes by friction.
The restriction arises from crackers containing this small 'explosive part,' which categorizes them as a minor explosive device, a security issue.
Airlines that accept Christmas Crackers
Airlines that DO NOT accept Christmas Crackers
British Airways (Checked luggage), Eastern Airways (UK) Ltd (Checked luggage), easyJet (Checked luggage, Cabin luggage), Qantas (Checked luggage), Qatar Airways (Checked luggage), South African Airways (Checked luggage), TUI (Checked luggage), Virgin Atlantic (Checked luggage).
Aer Lingus, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Icelandair, KLM, Norwegian Airlines, Ryanair, SAS Scandinavian, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet.
We recommend checking specific airline policies for those determined to travel with crackers well in advance. Some key guidelines include:
Possibly pack crackers in checked baggage
Purchase crackers after arriving at your destination when possible
Ensure crackers meet airline-specific requirements regarding quantity and packaging
Snow globes and wrapped gifts
Snow globes are not exempt from criticism because of the rules on the containment of fluids. As per Ryanair’s holiday rules, these ornamental items must be within the permissible size of liquid when they are packed in hand baggage. This means that snow globes that have a quantity of liquid in them that is over 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) need to be placed in checked luggage.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a simple visual test: If the snow globe is more than the size of a tennis ball, then it should be packed in the check-in luggage. This practical approach enables travelers to make snap decisions about these holiday gifts.
Security screening also has challenges with wrapped presents. The aviation security professionals have always advised passengers against placing wrapped gifts in either carry-on or checked baggage.
If security officers are required to search for a package, they will open it and this can cause a problem with the presentation as well as the time the traveler invested.
The best solution is to either take gift bags or wait to wrap gifts at the place of the event. Such a strategy helps in keeping security processing smooth while, at the same time, the recipients of the gifts do not know what is in store for them.
Food, beverages and decorations
Most solid foods, such as Christmas puddings and cakes, are usually allowed. Cheese and chocolates are permitted, but they may require attention to temperature because they can melt. Hard candies and cookies have no prohibition.
Liquid or gel-based items like cranberry sauce must follow liquid restrictions. Brandy butter also falls under liquid regulations. Jams and preserves must comply with the 3.4-ounce (100 milliliters) rule.
It is essential to be more careful when transporting alcoholic products. Aviation security rules allow passengers to carry liquids with between 24% and 70% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) in their carry-on bags, but at most five liters per person.
Traditional products, such as wine for the festive season or Christmas spirits, must be adequately packed and declared.
Category
Limitations
Solid foods
Puddings, cakes allowed. Cheese and chocolate may melt. Candies, cookies, no restrictions.
Liquid or Gel-Based Items
Cranberry sauce, brandy butter, jams follow 3.4 oz (100 ml) rule.
Alcoholic Beverages
24-70% ABV: Max 5L in checked bags. Package and declare mulled wine, spirits.
Holiday decorations are not usually a problem, but certain factors should be taken into account. Battery-operated decorations should have batteries pulled out and stored in a different container.
Items that have a sharp or pointed edge should be placed in the check-in baggage. Light strings should be carefully wrapped to prevent tangling.
Planning ahead
To ensure holiday travel success, here are five useful tips on preparing for holiday travel and avoiding stress:
Contact your airline directly: airlines have certain rules on baggage, prohibited items or special holiday charges. These details can be agreed in advance to avoid such surprises at the airport at the last moment.
Allow extra time for security screening: It is during the holidays when more people travel and therefore longer queues at security checks are expected. This means that if you are able to arrive earlier than normal, you will have enough time to clear security without a lot of haste.
Consider shipping certain items separately: To avoid the inconvenience of taking big or prohibited items, you can send gifts, decorations or liquids to your destination. This can help reduce your burden and also make the security checks easier.
Keep gift receipts accessible: Security officers may be required to search for wrapped or packaged gifts. It is much better to have receipts at hand in order to clear up any possible misunderstandings concerning the contents of the shipment.
Pack an empty collapsible bag: If you expect to be given gifts or buy souvenirs on your trip, bring a small, light and empty bag that can be used to pack more items on the way back. This can save space and also help to avoid situations where you are charged for overweight baggage.
Since there are all these restrictions, do airlines hate Christmas?
Of course, airlines don't hate Christmas. On the contrary, during the Christmas period, airlines introduce minor aspects of Christmas into their operations . For example, the Australian airline Qantas revealed two aircraft for the Christmas season in 2023: a De Havilland Dash 8 Q400 named Dasher-8 and a Boeing 737-800 named Roo-dolph with Christmas motifs.
In 2019, Swiss International Air Lines has painted two Airbus aircraft (A320 and A330) with red nose cones like Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer.
This year, Emirates brought in the holiday feel with revised menus that may include roasted turkey, chestnut and turkey bacon roulade, and maple-roasted parsnips. Magazines and other printed materials are also changed to reflect the festive season and in-flight entertainment systems include Christmas movies and music.
United Airlines has launched "Fantasy Flights" to the North Pole (JOY) to make Christmas memorable for children and their families. These flights depart from 13 cities across the UK, Japan, and the US and include Christmas activities and a visit to a changed airport gate or hangar that is made to look like Santa's winter wonderland.
Local nonprofits and volunteers back the effort and entail collaborations with Make-A-Wish for children with life-threatening diseases. Individuals can also participate by either donating their United miles or cash. United will then double the amount raised up to $500,000 and 5 million United Airlines miles.
These are part of United's "Good Leads The Way" campaign, which promotes the company's focus on communities and the holidays.