At the airport - Try to arrive at the airport in plenty of time: international flights usually check-in two to three hours prior to departure, domestic flights one hour prior to departure. However, enhanced security measures at airports mean that checking in your luggage can now take much longer, so it is advisable to arrive as early as possible.
- See if you can check-in online. More than half of airlines offer check-in over the internet, which can reduce your time spent in queues.
- You should always check your luggage allowances with your airline prior to packing. Bear in mind that certain objects cannot be taken on to an aircraft in your hand baggage – such as toy or replica guns, catapults, cutlery, knives with blades, darts, scissors, tweezers, knitting needles, sporting bats and cues, and hypodermic syringes (unless a medical requirement has been approved).
- There are a number of items that must not be taken on board an aircraft either as hand luggage or in the hold. These include: infectious substances, instruments containing magnets or mercury, non-safety matches, fire lighters, lighter fuel, poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkiller, creosote, gas cylinders, fireworks, paints, thinners, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda and radioactive materials.
- If items are confiscated at security control you will not be compensated and, with certain exceptional circumstances, the confiscated items will not be returned.
- Make sure you keep your baggage with you at all times and alert any member of airport staff to any unattended package. Never look after baggage belonging to other people or carry anything onto the aircraft for someone else.
- Complete all the destination details on your luggage labels and attach them securely to your luggage. Do not fill in your home address details on the label until your return journey.
- Personalise your luggage with a sticker, or a coloured band or strap, in order to minimise the risk of mix-ups with similar-looking luggage belonging to fellow passengers.
- Once in the departure lounge, check the airport screens regularly for details of boarding gates and times, as this information may not always be called over the public address system.
- For further information regarding airport security, visit www.dft.gov.uk/airportsecurity
Luggage restrictions
‘Checked–in’ or ‘hold’ luggage
The standard free baggage allowance will be shown on your tickets and is normally either 15kg or 20kg, although excess baggage can be paid for. For health and safety reasons the airline will not accept any individual bag or suitcase that weighs more than 30kg.
The airline has the right to charge for the carriage of large, bulky, oversized items such as golf clubs or sailboards, and these may be subject to space restrictions.
Hand luggage
Hand luggage restrictions vary depending on individual airlines and airports, so it is advisable to find out what their latest requirements are in advance. Call the relevant airline or check its website.
For up to date information about luggage restrictions, visit www.dft.gov.uk/airportsecurity
All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened. Small electrical items (including digital cameras, mobile phones, MP3 players and handheld computer games) can remain in the bag for screening. However, all laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a separate tray.
There are currently specific restrictions on items such as liquids, pastes, gels, cosmetics, sharp items or lighters, and these must not be packed. Liquids in particular, including gels and pastes, must be placed in a one litre clear, re-sealable plastic bag for presentation to security before being placed in your hand baggage once through the security check.
Lost luggage
On arrival at your destination airport, any lost or damaged luggage should be reported immediately to the airline handling staff and to any holiday representative you may have. It is essential that you complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the airport and retain a copy as evidence for a claim. If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy, the policy booklet will explain the procedure to follow.