Ryanair has issued crucial guidance for British travellers planning to fly with Christmas presents this festive season. The budget airline's stark warning could save passengers from lengthy security delays and ruined surprises.
Why You Shouldn't Wrap Gifts Before Flying
The airline specifically advises against wrapping gifts before packing them in your luggage. Airport security staff may need to unwrap and inspect presents, potentially destroying carefully arranged wrapping paper before your gifts even reach their destination.
Ryanair stated clearly: "Don't spend hours intricately wrapping gifts to carry in your hand luggage. Wrapped gifts may be opened, searched and screened by airport security staff." This applies even with modern scanning technology, as additional checks are sometimes necessary.
Practical Alternatives for Travelling with Gifts
Instead of pre-wrapping, the airline recommends a simple solution that preserves the surprise. Pack gifts unwrapped and bring gift bags folded flat in your suitcase. You can then assemble the presents upon arrival, ensuring they look perfect under the tree without risking damage during security screening.
Ryanair also provided important advice about transporting valuables. Expensive or sentimental items should be placed in your smaller under-seat hand luggage rather than checked baggage or larger cabin bags, which might be placed in the hold if overhead lockers become full.
Additional Festive Travel Restrictions to Consider
The warning extends beyond wrapped presents. Travellers should avoid carrying items resembling weapons in hand luggage, including toy guns or slingshots intended as gifts. Christmas crackers are particularly problematic as they're classified as explosives, despite their small bang.
Other festive items that should remain at home include:
- Party poppers
- Sparklers
- Fireworks
For liquid gifts such as perfume, toiletries, or alcohol, passengers should check specific rules for both departure and arrival airports. While most UK airports maintain the 100ml limit for hand luggage, some destinations like Dublin Airport have relaxed restrictions to allow containers up to two litres.
The airline suggests purchasing liquid gifts in duty-free where possible, as these can be taken onboard in sealed shopping bags. Christmas food items including jam, preserves, soups, and custard count as liquids and should be packed in checked luggage.
With Christmas being one of the busiest travel periods, following this advice could help British travellers avoid unnecessary delays and ensure their carefully chosen gifts arrive intact and ready for celebration.
