British Airways

They say 10 passengers were told they would not be allowed on the ‘overweight’ flight

A pensioner says a dream family holiday to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary ended in “anger and frustration” after she and her husband were denied boarding on an overbooked easyJet flight home. Eileen Snow, 72, and her husband Stephen, 74, had enjoyed a week in Croatia followed by a week in Montenegro with family when they arrived at Tivat Airport on Saturday expecting to fly back to London Gatwick.

But the couple say they were stopped at the gate and left stranded abroad. The situation was worrying for Stephen, who takes daily medication and says he only had enough to last until the following day. The delay also meant Eileen was unable to visit her late father’s grave on what would have been his birthday.

EasyJet later emailed Stephen apologising that he had been “denied boarding” on flight EZY8814 and referred to procedures used when flights are overbooked. According to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines, an airline expecting to have too many passengers should first ask for volunteers willing to surrender their reservations in exchange for agreed benefits.

But the couple, from Emsworth, Hampshire, insist they did not volunteer to give up their seats. “I was angry and frustrated – I couldn’t believe the level of incompetence,” said Stephen. “It did ruin what had been a perfect holiday with family. Regardless of what easyJet claims, we did not volunteer to stay off the flight.”

Eileen and Stephen had been booked on the 4:50pm easyJet service from Tivat to Gatwick. The flight was already delayed when they reached the gate. The couple says they and three other couples were prevented from boarding despite having reserved their seats well in advance.

Eileen said: “They let many people board after us. We were told the flight was full. Ten of us could not go.”

She says they were told the aircraft was over-fuelled. She claims a woman dealing with the stranded passengers promised to arrange taxis, accommodation, food and vouchers. But Eileen says the woman then left to seek help and never returned.

She said: “She promised all the requested items – taxis, accommodation, food, vouchers. She abandoned us.”

The couple says they repeatedly asked for an easyJet representative and a senior airport manager but were unable to get practical assistance. As the airport began closing, Eileen says the remaining passengers were told they had to leave.

She said an older man approached them before bringing over what she believed was a police, security or border officer. Eileen said: “Some of them had belts with what looked like a gun. We were intimidated.”

An airport worker eventually stepped in and drove the couple to a hotel in his own car, helping them with their luggage. Eileen and Stephen paid for the accommodation themselves.

By the following evening, Eileen was still trying to resolve the situation through easyJet’s WhatsApp customer service. The airline later provided links allowing the couple to seek reimbursement for hotel, food and transport costs and submit a denied-boarding compensation claim.

But Eileen says the experience had left her deeply disappointed. The couple had travelled from 16 to 29 August for the family holiday to mark their golden wedding anniversary. They eventually secured British Airways flights from Croatia to Gatwick and booked a £190 taxi across the border to Dubrovnik.

They then faced a further £177 journey from Gatwick back to their home. An easyJet spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that Mr and Mrs Snow were unable to travel on their flight from Tivat to London Gatwick due to the aircraft exceeding weight limits.

“Weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons and in the event that a flight exceeds this limit, we are required to carry fewer passengers. We did everything possible to minimise disruption for our customers including offering the next direct flight, however as this wasn’t suitable, they booked with an alternative carrier and will be reimbursed.

“We have since spoken to Mr and Mrs Snow, apologised for their experience and provided the compensation due. The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

BRITISH Airways has launched its September sale making it the ideal time to book a holiday to get over the seasons changing.

The September sale started yesterday and will run until September 29, with loads of destinations included.

Travellers can get discounts on British Airways Holidays as well as flights.

For Europe, there are a number of Club Europe (business class) seats in the sale including to the Dutch capital – Amsterdam – which costs from £120 per way.

You could pay the same price and head to Berlin in Germany.

Or if you fancy some last minute Spanish sun, you could head to Ibiza for £120 per way or Madrid for £130 per way.

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Perhaps you want to splash out on a long-haul flight? Well, there are plenty of options.

If you fancy heading off to the US, you could travel to New York from £401 return.

Perhaps you want somewhere sunnier? Then you could go to Los Angeles from £401.

For those who have always wanted to go to Australia, return flights to Melbourne cost from £846 – and the timing couldn’t be better as Australia is due to host some pretty major sporting events.

Alternatively, if you want to see crystal clear waters and white sand beaches you could fly to Barbados from £523 return.

There are some great British Airways Holidays packages in the sale too.

For example, you could head to Barcelona for two nights between November 30 and December 2, staying at the Parador de Cardona with return flights included for £163 per person.

Alternatively, you could go on holiday to the Algarve in Portugal for seven nights at the four-star Alcazar Hotel and Spa from £319 per person.

If you book between now and September 1, British Airways Holidays will offer members of The British Airways Club 20,000 bonus Avios points when booking a holiday as part of the sale.

Andrew Flintham, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: “We know many customers are already thinking about their next break and looking for opportunities to escape the everyday.

“Whether it’s a relaxing beach escape, a cultural city break or an unforgettable far-flung adventure, our September Sale offers great value on flights and holidays across our network.”

When it comes to asking for travel advice, there is nobody better at giving you hints and tricks than cabin crew who travel multiple times a month for their job

A member of British Airways cabin crew has shared one thing she believes everybody should do before they board a plane to make their trip less stressful. When it comes to taking advice from people ahead of travelling, there is nobody better to ask than cabin crew.

With many members of crew doing multiple long and short trips each month, they know all the tips and tricks to make boarding, packing and planning even easier.

This is true for one member of cabin crew who has shared one thing she believes everybody should do before stepping foot on a plane ahead of any holidays.

The member of staff gave people her advice after being asked what her top-tip was for travel on the official British Airways TikTok account.

One of the cabin crew said: “Just screenshot everything. Screenshot your boarding pass. Have a copy of the hotel that you’re going to.

“A photographic copy, so that you have it on your phone, just in case when you land to your destination, and your phone doesn’t have 4G, you actually have a picture of it.”

It’s common for people to struggle to get a signal in a new country due to phones having been on airplane mode for a number of hours and trying to connect to a new local network. The metal cabin of the airplane can also block out cellular radio waves.

Three more members of crew also gave their advice to holidaymakers, with one coming up with a solution for travellers who treat themselves in duty free.

Another member of BA staff said: “I would say as cabin crew, always pack a portable tote bag. You’re always going to need it, and it’s something to put stuff in, and then you’re not lugging a big suitcase around when you’re travelling.”

A third said: “My top travel tip is to bring electrolytes on board. Having electrolytes in your water makes you rehydrated.”

While a fourth added: “My travel top tip would be to have your phones and devices set to automatic before you depart, so that they’re already synced to the local time before you arrive.”

People took the time to comment on the video and share their own experiences with British Airways.

One person said: “My best customer service was with BA. it was a very long time ago, but I had to travel back from Paris to London and I missed my flight, it was the first flight.

“I was so desperate because I had to go to work straight after arriving. The lady offered me a seat on next flight free of charge. I was so happy because I was on budget and I couldn’t afford another flight ticket, perhaps she sensed it. Thank you for the empathy.”

A second said: “Can you pls start flying from London Southend again.”

A third said: “Always have a great experience on BA.”

THE world’s largest airport is set to open by 2032 – and inside passengers can expect forests, waterfalls and super modern technology.

Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is set to overtake the likes of King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia to become the biggest airport in the world.

Construction of the £25.9billion airport is currently underway and it will eventually have five runways once complete, with 360 flights an hour (200 departures and 160 arrivals).

According to Khaleej Times, the project has been unimpacted by the situation in the Middle East.

In an interview, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, added that construction has not slowed due to the tensions in the Middle East.

Over the past months the Middle East has faced escalating unrest, due to tensions between the US, Israel and Iran.

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The conflict has seen airspace impacted with major airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa suspending flights across the Middle East.

Dubai International Airport also saw minor damage in an attack earlier this year.

However, the new airport is set to have capacity for 150million passengers each year within the first decade, before eventually rising to 260million passengers.

This is compared to London Heathrow which has a capacity of 84million a year, although this is set to increase to 150million with the third runway.

Al Maktoum International Airport will have more than 400 gates which will be able to host ‘next-generation’, ultra-wide body planes from Airbus and Boeing.

There will be two terminals and a huge underground baggage system capable of moving 30,000 bags per hour.

Inside the terminals passengers can expect giant halls and open air concourses, as well internal waterfalls and gardens.

And because the airport is so big, passengers can hop on the ‘integrated underground Automated People Mover system’, which includes a multi-track train.

Across the airport, there will be 14 stations in total.

Technology at the airport will also be super modern, with automated travel systems, AI security checks and robot staff.

The robots will be used for various tasks, including baggage handling.

The current title of the largest airport in the world belongs to King Salman International Airport, which is currently being constructed in Saudi Arabia.

THE world’s best airlines have been revealed and one in the UK has been named No1 in Europe.

The 2026 Flyer’s Choice Awards, conducted by AirlineRatings.com, is voted on by travellers for airlines that deliver the best experience.

But when it came to the UK/Europe category, a major UK airline came out on top – British Airways.

It is the second year the airline has won the award.

The awards stated: “That’s particularly impressive in a region with such a diverse mix of airlines, from traditional flag carriers to the low-cost giants that carry millions of passengers every year.”

Lufthansa followed behind in second and KLM came third.

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Singapore Airlines was the biggest winner when it came to awards, winning a total of four titles.

The airline won the award for Preferred Economy Airline, Best Cabin Crew Service, best airline in Central and South East Asia and the Airline That Gave the Greatest Peace of Mind.

Delta Air Lines then led the way in the USA/Canada category, Emirates won in Africa and the Middle East, Qantas won in Australia and Pacific, Cathay Pacific won in North East Asia and LATAM won in South and Central America.

Other categories included Favourite Low-Cost Carrier, which was won by Vietjet Air, followed by AirAsia and then Jetstar and easyJet in third place.

Qatar Airways gained the title for the Preferred Business Class, while Emirates was voted to have the Preferred Premium Economy.

AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen said: “We are incredibly fortunate to live in a world where travellers have so many airlines delivering safe, reliable and reassuring experiences.

“The continued strength of brands like Singapore Airlines and Qantas in the Peace of Mind category is a real credit to the trust they have built with passengers over many years.

“Confidence in an airline is earned over time, and these results demonstrate the value of that consistency.”

Before you jet off on any more holidays this year, it’s worth knowing this simple hack that could make you feel a lot more comfortable whilst on a flight.

Flying isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it definitely helps to know there’s an exciting holiday waiting on the other side – or the comforting return home.

Planes can be a stressful environment, and this is especially true if you feel like you don’t have enough room. Unless you pay for it, or you’re sitting in the emergency exit seats, a roomy seat on a flight is quite rare.

However, if you’re going on holiday abroad soon and are dreading the thought of hours stuck in the cabin with nowhere to put your legs, one simple trick could help to make things a lot more comfortable for you – and it’s so easy.

The consumer experts at Which? recently shared a helpful Instagram post detailing exactly what flyers need to do to secure that bit of extra legroom – which can truly make all the difference.

They said: “Want more legroom on a flight? Just sit on the right.”

How to get more legroom on a plane

“Take Ryanair for example. Almost all of their planes are Boeing 737s. So choosing seats D, E and F in rows 3-15 will give you the most legroom,” they said.

“With easyJet, meanwhile, you should choose seats D, E or F in rows 3-13, if you’re flying on their Airbus A321neo. It will give you an extra inch of legroom compared to sitting in rows 6-17 on the left-hand side of the plane”

It’s worth noting that while it won’t turn economy into a business-class level seat, every centimetre counts – especially if you’re tall, or you’re travelling on a long-haul flight.

The experts added: “All planes are different, so it’s always worth checking before you book.”

How to check your plane before a flight

If you want to see which seat is going to be best in terms of legroom before you

Just go to Google Flights, type in your destination and dates, and the aircraft model should appear. You can then use the website AeroLopa to find a map of your plane with all of its dimensions, and get those seats booked up fast.

How to stay comfortable on a flight

As well as booking a seat on the right-hand side, there are several other things you can do to remain comfortable while you fly. Frequent flyers have taken to the Travel page on Reddit to share their best tips with others who may be anxious.

One person wrote: “Take the window seat if you plan to sleep. Take the aisle seat if you want to stretch and walk. The exit seats are always nice, but they cost extra. Watch movies, hydrate and try to avoid alcohol.”

Another said: “Don’t be afraid to get up from your seat and walk or stand. I find that noise-cancelling headphones are essential, as is a hoodie, neck hollow or a foot rest.”

And a third noted: “Compression socks and aisle seat. You can stay hydrated and not have to worry about disturbing the others in your row. Also, go for walks. Don’t be annoying to other passengers, but you can got stand for a bit by the bathrooms. 12 hours seems a lot, but you’ll be fine as long as you don’t focus on that.”

AN 81-year old Brit was banned from boarding his Ryanair flight – after making a big passport mistake.

John Constable was due to fly to Spain from Bournemouth Airport with all of his family.

However, he was left at the airport while his entire family of 16 others went to Spain because of a ‘small tear’ on his passport.

It was then referred to Ryanair officials who refused his travel despite the family asking for ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Talking to Bournemouth Echo, John’s stepson Scott Palmer-Read said: “John freely admits his passport went through the washing machine.

“But he has been able to travel with the passport in the same condition.

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“He had only recently been accepted by British Airways, Air Canada, UK Border Force, Canadian immigration, US immigration and cruise operators without any issue.”

The family of 16 then had to make the difficult decision to travel without him to Girona but said it felt like a “piece of the puzzle was missing”.

He added that the family would “not make the conscious choice to book Ryanair ever again.”

John isn’t the first passenger to miss out on a holiday due to passport damage.

Donna Fairclough was due to fly out of Manchester Airport and was ‘heartbroken’ to miss out on an £820 holiday to Malta in January.

However, Donna was turned away from the flight by easyJet because of a sizeable tear in her passport.

The damage was across the photo page of her travel document and the size of the tear meant that she wasn’t allowed to board the flight.

A Ryanair spokesperson talking about the situation with John said: “This passenger was correctly refused travel on this flight from Bournemouth to Barcelona Girona (27 July) by the gate agent at Bournemouth Airport as his travel document was damaged (tear in the biodata page of the passport) and therefore not valid for travel.”

Advice on the government website reads:

HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if:

• you cannot read any of your details
• any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• the cover is coming away
• there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

GOING away with just hand luggage seems easy until you realise all the airlines have different policies on exactly what hand luggage is allowed.

While we all know budget airlines are some of the strictest, other airlines could still catch you out with a hidden fee at the airport.

So we’ve explained everything you need to know about taking a suitcase with some of the UK’s major airlines.

Read on for the current rules for Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.

Easyjet

All easyJet passengers are allowed to bring one small underseat bag per person on board for free, measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weighing up to 15kg.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, you’ll need to pay extra for it.

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The price for this depends on demand, the route, your flight date and the time of booking.

Though if you get to the gate and haven’t paid for a cabin bag but have one with you, you will be charged £60.

Wizz Air

Each passenger can bring onboard a small bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weighing a maximum of 10kg with Wizz Air.

The bag must fit under the seat in front of you.

However, it does state on the airline’s website that you can also carry onboard a coat or blanket, mobile phone, reading material for the flight, and duty-free items for free.

But a neck pillow is not included in this, and must fit in your cabin baggage allowance.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23cm, you will need to purchase this through Wizz Priority.

This will set you back between £12.85 and £89.98 during the low season and between £17.14 and £98.55 during the high season.

Ryanair

Each passenger can take a small bag on board that measures a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

It must fit under the seat in front of you and be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack.

If you want a cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, then you will need to purchase this.

This will cost you between £12 and £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £60 when at the airport.

Jet2

All Jet2 passengers are entitled to a 10kg cabin bag, measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm and a small under seat bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

On busy flights, Jet2 may ask to put your cabin bag in hold and if your bag is too big or heavy, you could be charged £45.

TUI

On TUI flights, passengers can each take one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20cm and a handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.

If a bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be charged £60 per 15kg bag.

British Airways

With British Airways‘ basic economy fare, each passenger is entitled to one handbag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15cm and one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm.

Your handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and your cabin bag must not have any valuables, electronics or essential medicines inside it.

If your cabin luggage is too big or heavy, British Airways might put it in the hold.

Though, you will have to pay a fee for this, which is usually £65 per bag, per way.

Virgin Atlantic

With Virgin Atlantic, each passenger in economy light is allowed to have one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 23 × 36 × 56cm as well as an underseat bag such as a handbag or small rucksack measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

Your under seat bag must fit under the seat in front of you and any bags that are over the allowance could get a £65 charge as well as being placed in the hold.

British Airways flight BA919 was due to land at Heathrow Airport but before it could safely land it encountered an issue mid-air which has been reported as “the most serious ‘near miss’ in the UK in years”

A British Airways plane was “seconds from disaster” after a “serious incident” above London, it has been reported.

On Monday July 6, Flight BA919 from Dusseldorf was due to land at Heathrow Airport but before it could safely land it encountered an issue mid-air. Just before it was due to land the pilot reportedly faced a terrifying moment while the plane was above Canary Wharf.

Sources said the first officer’s error required a physical intervention by the captain as the Airbus A320 was on on route to land at Heathrow Airport.

It is said the jet suffered a stall and the captain had to step in to overide the first officer’s initial input to try and fix the problem.

Experts told The Sun the situation could have resulted in ‘hull loss’, where an aircraft is destroyed or seriously damaged. They added it was “The most serious ‘near miss’ in the UK in years”.

Following the incident the captain is now understood to be on “stress leave”.

The Air Accidents Investigation (AAIB) Branch are investigating the ‘serious incident’. AAIB is an independent agency and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We’re assisting the AAIB with its investigation and are legally unable to comment further at this stage.”

THERE’S no doubt that Spanish islands are popular and soon you will be able to fly to one with British Airways for the first time, from the UK’s biggest airport.

BA is launching flights between London Heathrow Airport and Fuerteventura Airport in the Canary Islands from winter 2026.

Starting December 13, the flights will take off twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.

Thursday departures will leave Heathrow at 7:05am, arriving into Fuerteventura at 11:30am.

The return flight will then leave Fuerteventura at 12:30pm and arrive back at Heathrow at 4:50pm.

Then the Sunday departure will take off at 10:05am from Heathrow and return from Fuerteventura at 3:40pm.

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The route will replace British Airways‘ Euroflyer route which was planned between London Gatwick Airport and Fuerteventura.

And it will be the first time the airline flies direct to the destination from Heathrow.

Fuerteventura boasts more than 3,000 hours of sunshine every year and compared to the other popular Canary Islands spots such as Tenerife and Lanzarote, it is more affordable.

In fact, Fuerteventura holiday packages can be between 30 per cent and 40 per cent cheaper during peak periods compared to higher-demand spots, like Tenerife.

Fuerteventura is the Canary Islands’ second largest island and when exploring you can head to a number of beaches including Sotavento Beach and Playa de Cofete.

If with the family, there is also Acua Water Park, which boasts a number of waterslides as well as a wave pool and a lazy river.

The island is home to Corralejo Natural Park too, which is ideal for keen hikers wanting to discover the volcanic landscape.

Anyone who’s jetting off this summer will want to know about a fairly new safety rule that you must follow when you’re on board.

Going on holiday is always an exciting time, but there’s a lot of reasons that they can be stressful too. For many people, the flight itself is a source of anxiety, while others aren’t keen on the packing, the security process or the bag regulations.

I love a trip abroad, and although I can sometimes get nervous during takeoff and landing – as I’m sure many people do – I try to push it aside because I know there’s a holiday waiting for me at the other end.

If I can afford it, I’ll go on two or three holidays a year, so I like to think I’m pretty savvy when it comes to knowing what to pack, how big your bag can be, and just having a general know-how about the process. But on my most recent holiday, I was shocked to hear a safety announcement onboard that I’d literally never heard before, and it really threw a spanner in the works.

Picture the scene – it’s 5.30am, I’ve had three hours of sleep, two coffees down in Manchester Airport and I’m about to board my flight to Bilbao. Because I’ve desperately been trying to keep myself awake, I’ve been scrolling endlessly, so by the time I’m sat in my seat, my phone battery is looking a little unhealthy.

Luckily I’ve got a portable charger in my bag, ready to give my phone a much-needed boost. It’s been a rule for a while now that you can’t pack these in your checked luggage due to the potential danger from lithium ion batteries, but it’s always handier to have them in your hand luggage anyway.

But as the safety announcements kicked off, I was very surprised to hear that on this easyJet flight, you couldn’t use portable chargers at all.

Why can’t you use portable chargers on flights?

This was the first I’d heard of power banks being completely banned from use onboard flights. However, it’s clear to see in the ‘dangerous goods’ section of the easyJet website, which says they can’t be used to charge other devices.

They also must be ‘individually protected’ like placed in original retail packaging or a plastic bag, and customers are only allowed a maximum of two each.

Explaining why the rules are so strict, Jonathan Nicholson from the Civil Aviation Authority told BBC News that compared to the likes of digital cameras and laptops, “power banks have a much bigger battery, much stronger and get a lot hotter”.

“These things, when they catch fire, they go – they really go – they are big, big issues and big fires,” he added.

This makes total sense, and it obviously explains why most airlines have banned portable chargers in hold luggage – it was only a matter of time before they were banned from being used on planes too.

It’s worth noting that they are not outright prohibited – you just can’t use them, on easyJet flights anyway. So it’s definitely worth making sure you’re fully charged before you board, and don’t make the same mistake I did.

Which airlines have banned power banks?

As well as easyJet, several other airlines have started to enforce strict rules surrounding power banks. British Airways recently tightened its regulations – they must display the capacity rating information, they can’t exceed exceed 100Wh and they must be stored either in the seat pocket or in a bag placed under the seat in front.

Emirates has outright banned the use of power banks on all flights, nor can you plug the power bank into the seat’s power supply to charge it.

Most other airlines, such as Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI, do allow you to use them on board – just not during taxi, takeoff and landing, and restrictions can apply on the wattage. And you’re definitely not allowed to pack them in your hold luggage under any circumstances.

It’s recommended to check with the airline you’re flying with if you’re not sure, but always better safe than sorry.

Millions of England supporters up and down the country are gearing up for the big match tonight, but what happens if you are due to be flying while the match is being aired?

British Airways has issued an improtant update for passengers hoping to watch the World Cup match tonight.

England will take on Argentina in the semi-finals with a place in the World Cup up for grabs. England supporters up and down the country are gearing up for the big match tonight, with a number of celebrities looking forward to backing their country – incluidng Joe Wickes.

Joe Wickes, widely known as “The Body Coach,” is a British fitness expert, author, and television presenter famous for his high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts and recipe books. He gained international prominence as the “PE teacher to the nation” by hosting free daily online exercise classes for children and families during the global pandemic lockdown.

But, now Joe is asking the all important question. Will British Airways passengers be able to watch the match? He took to X yesterday to ask the airline. He asked: “Hey @British_Airways will I be able to watch the @England match on my flight tomorrow?”

British Airways responded: “Hi Joe, for legal reasons we’re unable to stream live sporting events, unfortunately. However, I’m sure the crew will keep you informed of the score throughout your flight.” They added: “We’re sure the crew will be just as eager to keep an eye on events. Have a safe flight.”

Around 30,000 Three Lions supporters will pack in to the 67,382-capacity Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, US, hoping to see Thomas Tuchel’s boys win one of the nation’s biggest games in recent memory. Back home, an audience of up to 25 million will tune in on TV, and thousands more will flock to hospitality venues or join crowds across the country for the potential grudge match.

The match has been classed as the “highest risk in the tournament” by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They issued their warning fearing trouble between the set two sets of fans in one of the biggest rivalries in world football.

Hundreds of extra police were drafted in to Atlanta on Monday and there will be a much bigger presence inside the stadium and at the sold-out fanzone. Police have designated some bars as “England only” or “Argentina only” to try to prevent any confrontations.

Michael Owen has explained why he believes both England and Argentina will find it tough to beat Spain should they reach the World Cup final. In a post on X he wrote: “Brilliant performance from Spain. France had the individual stars but this Spanish team never looked like getting beat.England or Argentina will have to up their game massively to beat this lot.”

Follow our live blog for all the latest World Cup updates by clicking here.

Overlooking one item in particular could ignite some travel disruption which is not ideal for holidaymakers

Packing for a holiday often means working your way through a seemingly never-ending checklist. From remembering your passport and boarding pass to making sure you’ve packed enough clothes, there’s also the important task of checking your bags for items that could cause problems before you even board your flight.

The warning applies to anyone flying with major airlines, including Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, easyJet and British Airways, among others. While each carrier has its own baggage policies, dangerous goods rules are governed by international aviation regulations and enforced during airport security checks.

Non-safety matches, for example, can cost as little as 60p in supermarkets, but packing them could end up costing you precious holiday time. Although they may seem harmless, they are classed as dangerous goods and are prohibited in both hand luggage and checked baggage under aviation safety rules.

This could spell bad news for anyone heading off on a camping holiday, planning to light birthday candles abroad or travelling with matches tucked away in a backpack without giving them a second thought. Even if they were packed by mistake, finding them during screening could trigger additional inspections and slow your journey through the terminal.

According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, non-safety matches are not permitted on commercial flights because they present a fire risk. If they’re discovered during baggage screening, they may be confiscated and your luggage could be held back while officers carry out further checks.

Depending on when they’re found, this could mean anything from a manual bag search at the checkpoint to checked luggage being removed from the aircraft before departure. While procedures vary between airports, prohibited items are routinely removed to ensure flights comply with aviation safety rules.

The restrictions are not specific to one airline or airport. Instead, they are based on international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which are designed to reduce the risk of fire onboard aircraft.

There is, however, one important exception. The Civil Aviation Authority says passengers are generally allowed to carry one small packet of safety matches on their person for personal use, but they must not be packed inside either hand luggage or checked baggage. “Strike anywhere” matches and all non-safety matches remain prohibited.

Before travelling, it’s worth taking a few moments to check coat pockets, backpacks and suitcases for forgotten items.

A 60p box of matches might seem insignificant, but packing the wrong type could leave you facing unnecessary delays before your holiday has even begun.

Several major airlines including Ryanair, TUI, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2 ban this item

Preparing for a summer getaway can seem like an endless to-do list, particularly if you’re jetting off for a birthday, wedding or other special event. However, one budget-friendly item many holidaymakers pop into their suitcase could wind up being seized before they even step onto the aircraft.

Multiple major airlines, including Ryanair, TUI, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2, ban passengers from bringing party poppers. Leaving them behind could spare you needless hassle and hold-ups at the airport.

The item in question is party poppers, and despite appearing innocent, they are forbidden on most commercial flights. They may only set you back a few pence at around £2 for a pack of 20, but they must never be packed in either hand luggage or checked baggage, and doing so could lead to your bags being inspected, with the items likely seized.

This ban exists because party poppers contain a small explosive charge used to create the popping effect. Although the quantity is minuscule, aviation safety regulations classify them as explosive articles and forbid them from being transported on aircraft.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) includes party poppers among the dangerous goods that passengers must not carry in either cabin baggage or hold luggage. The regulations also extend to other novelty explosives, including sparklers, fireworks and flares.

If security personnel find banned items during checks, they may confiscate them from your baggage before departure. Depending on the situation, travellers could also experience hold-ups while bags are inspected or further security procedures are undertaken.

Airport security regulations can differ marginally between nations and carriers, but dangerous goods rules are extensively implemented throughout the aviation sector. Passengers are therefore urged to verify both their airline’s luggage policy and official government advice prior to flying.

Party poppers are frequently packed by mistake following birthdays, weddings or other celebrations, especially when families are travelling with youngsters. While they might appear like a harmless addition to your suitcase, they are handled in the same manner as other banned explosive items under aviation safety regulations.

The government also reminds travellers that security personnel have the ultimate say on whether an item is allowed through screening. Even where an object seems innocent, it can still be confiscated if it is deemed a safety hazard or violates airport security rules.

Inspecting your baggage before heading to the airport could help prevent needless delays, extra security checks and the frustration of having belongings seized before your relaxing holiday away even gets underway.

EXCLUSIVE: After Sarah-Jane Doherty found out she had a brain tumour the size of a golf ball in her brain, she got in touch with loveholidays to cancel a £1,100 upcoming trip – but claims they initially ‘didn’t want to know’

A young woman who is awaiting brain surgery for a tumour the size of a golf ball watched her mum sob while fighting for her holiday to be refunded after being told she was unfit to fly. Sarah-Jane Doherty, 24, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, was told she had a brain tumour in June 2026 after one year of being misdiagnosed.

She first noticed she was ill in July 2025 when she found herself being overly exhausted, to the point where she could not stand up for long periods of time. Other symptoms included depressive episodes, psychosis, hallucinations, manic episodes, and issues with her mood being up and down, which led professionals to believe she was displaying symptoms of bipolar disorder.

This meant she was put onto anti-psychotic medications which masked what would have been one of her major symptoms, seizures, as an electric shock-type of feeling down her left side. She also suffered issues with her vision before being rushed to A&E after having a severe headache that caused her so much pain that she sobbed on her bed.

After having a CT scan at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Sarah-Jane was told doctors thought she had a bleed on her brain, and that she would need to be admitted and have an MRI scan. The next morning, Sarah-Jane’s life changed forever after being told she had a brain tumour around the size of a golf ball.

Medication masked a golf ball-sized brain tumour

She said: “They told me in a bay of four people by myself that I had a brain tumour, and that they think is a glioma. I was just distraught, I was absolutely hysterical.

“I rang my mum straight away, and she came into the hospital. She rang my dad and he came home from work to see me. I feel a bit like I’m in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, like it just doesn’t feel like it’s actually me.

“I was upset, I was stressed thinking, ‘what if it’s not removable?’ I didn’t know what grade it was. What if it’s spread somewhere else in my body? And I just had so many what-ifs in my mind that I just kept crying.”

Before being diagnosed with a suspected grade 2 glioma, Sarah-Jane had booked a £1,100 holiday to Ayia Napa with one of her friends through loveholidays, with flight bookings through British Airways.

Loveholidays booking dispute after Sarah-Jane’s cancer diagnosis

Sarah-Jane said: “I went to Ayia Napa last year and it was really good so we were set on [going] there. But it was last minute because it’s just finding time for us to be together and book holiday.

“I hadn’t been on holiday this year yet, we just wanted to get away so I’d not really had any annual leave or anything like that.

“Just wanted a break and plus because I would be starting a new training programme in September. I wanted to find a decompress before that.”

The day Sarah-Jane was diagnosed with cancer, she contacted loveholidays to make them aware and asked for a refund of her package. At the same time she realised her yearly travel insurance cover had not renewed as she thought it had.

She said: “The first time that we called they didn’t want to know at all. They didn’t even express empathy or anything like that. And then I got an email just saying I can get £62 back.”

Sarah-Jane then sent two letters from medical professionals, one from a consultant at the hospital, and a second from her GP, which were both rejected by loveholidays due to her first letter being a “statement for fitness for Work (SSP)” and the second being a letter that “outlined that it had been issued to support a travel insurance claim”.

Sarah-Jane’s TikTok video prompts action from loveholidays CEO office

After receiving pushback from loveholidays the 24-year-old made a video about her experience on TikTok, with a member of the CEO office at the company reaching out shortly after.

Sarah-Jane continued: “So it was just calls back and forth. They said you need to get in touch with British Airways. British Airways said it has to all be done through loveholidays.

“I asked them to speak to my mum, I just couldn’t deal with speaking to them. I couldn’t keep hearing no and saying, ‘there’s nothing we can do’.

“Then the person from the CEO office said ‘we wish Sarah the best and stuff’ which just shows that there’s no compassion.”

The company then offered Sarah-Jane a £300 refund, which her mum refused, before offering £600, which they also rejected. The following day, however, the loveholiday’s team confirmed they would offer Sarah-Jane a full refund.

She said: “She spent over eight hours on the phone, backwards and forwards, to loveholidays and British Airways because they just kept sending each other to each other. She started crying on the phone because the way people were speaking to her was just… It’s not what she needed to hear.

“She was unnecessarily sent between two different companies that both didn’t want to know. I think that just shows that more protection is needed in the event of major health diagnoses, because if it wasn’t for the TikTok then nothing would have been done.”

Loveholidays and British Airways issue official statements

A loveholidays spokesperson said: “We are deeply sorry to hear about Sarah’s diagnosis and the difficult circumstances she is facing. We wish her all the very best with her treatment and recovery.

“To support Sarah during this difficult time, we have refunded her in full for her holiday, and we have also explained how she can request a refund for the seat purchase she made directly with her airline.

“While we always do everything we can to support customers in difficult circumstances, as a travel agent we are bound by the cancellation policies of our airline and hotel partners, many of which do not provide refunds when customers are unable to travel due to illness.

“For this reason, we always strongly recommend that customers take out travel insurance to help protect them if unforeseen circumstances prevent them from travelling.”

A spokesperson from British Airways said: “We’re very sorry to hear of our customer’s experience and our teams have been in touch.”

The spokesperson also said that the airline had “resolved this matter”, however Sarah-Jane told us that she has yet to receive the refund or, indeed, any further communication from British Airways customer service.

BRITISH Airways is launching new flights to Lapland in time for Christmas.

The UK’s flag carrier has confirmed flights between London Gatwick and Rovaniemi, in Finland, which is known as the home of Santa.

The first flight takes off on December 4 and fly twice a week through to January 4.

You could travel on December 4 and return December 11, from £317.60 per person.

Karen Hilton, Managing Director of BA Euroflyer and Gatwick Ground Services, said: “Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus, is the perfect destination for a festive getaway and a fantastic addition to our Gatwick network, building on the success of our Ivalo route

“Whether customers are hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, meet Santa Claus or experience the magic of Lapland, we’re delighted to offer even more choice across our network.”

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Travel writer Helen Wright visited with her kids last year and said: “The weather in Lapland was -13C during our visit, but we were the perfect temperature and despite concerns, both my kids were warm enough with all of the layers.

“We were whisked off to Santa’s village on a sleigh and it was thrilling.

“The location is stunning, set in a forest, next to a frozen lake that is like a winter wonderland.

“Once at the village, everything is included and activities include learning to drive a snowmobile, toboggans, a snow igloo with stunning ice sculptures and tables made of ice, husky sledging, and reindeer sleigh rides.

“When you have little children, meeting Father Christmas is of the utmost importance.

“Meeting the big guy was about as stress-free as you can imagine. When we arrived, we were given a time slot to go up to Santa’s cottage and everyone will get the chance to meet him.

“My kids were fully immersed in the magic and it was so heart-warming.”

A travel blogger has shared her top tips for what she described as the “most underrated country in the world”, where you can get flights and five nights in a hotel for less than £500

A holidaymaker is encouraging travel fans to explore what she describes as the “most underrated country in the world” – offering plenty to do for less than £500 per person. Hannah, a young globe-trotter who frequently posts travel advice on her TikTok account @hannahshols, has high praise for a number of destinations – but reserves particular affection for Malta.

Situated beneath Italy and north of Tunisia, this jewel of a spot takes just three hours to fly to from the UK. During a visit to the small island nation with friends, Hannah discovered that they each paid slightly more than £400 for flights, a five-night hotel stay with rooftop pool access and breakfast included, plus baggage and transfers.

Her TikTok video documenting the trip racked up more than one million likes. She gushed: “Malta is by far the most underrated country I think I’ve ever visited.”

She added: “Even though Malta is the 10th smallest country in the world, it is definitely giving big country energy.” The clip showcases the destination’s stunning sea vistas, plentiful shops and eateries, historic sites, and beautiful gardens, reports the Mirror.

Looking back on her trip in 2024, Hannah revealed why the experience stood out. “One thing I loved about Malta was that it was like nowhere I’d ever been before,” she said. “It’s got such strong Arabic and Roman influences.”

She concluded with sincere praise: “It was just absolutely beautiful and everyone we met just seemed so proud to be Maltese.”

The travel influencer suggests a visit to the capital city of Valletta for anyone heading to Malta. Hannah and her group mainly explored the city by foot or took advantage of the bus network, which she described as “super convenient and cheap”.

She recommended: “Just spend a day in Valletta, roaming around, street dining, going to the boutique shops, wandering in and out of the gardens, seeing the cannons being fired at the saluting battery, and checking out the harbour front.”

Hannah also gave her seal of approval to the Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon cruise. This full-day boat trip sets off from Sliema and provides the opportunity to experience both islands in one day, alongside numerous landmarks.

According to Hannah, the price for her and her companions was “around £29 each”. Her video garnered more than 1,000 comments, with many sharing her views about the country. A local resident wrote: “I am from Malta and I am so happy that you loved our little island.”

Another user declared: “Malta is stunning, I would go back in a heartbeat,” while someone else commented: “Genuinely one of my favourite European destinations ever – never gets boring.”

“Omg I live in Malta, it’s so underrated,” another person posted.

How to get to Malta

A number of airlines, including Air Malta, Easyjet, British Airways, Ryanair, and Jet2, run direct flights from the UK to Malta. The busiest route is from London Heathrow to Malta International Airport, which sits in the island’s capital city of Valletta.

Flights are also available from Bournemouth, Liverpool, Norwich, Belfast, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, and Glasgow.

Daniel Green, a TV chef who appears on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and QVC, boarded a British Airways flight from Miami Airport to London Heathrow, when a flight attendant delivered an unwelcome message

A dad was left ‘extremely embarrassed’ after he was told to move from his seat and his wife was threatened with being kicked off the plane.

Daniel Green climbed aboard the British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Miami on June 30, looking forward to the nine-hour flight.

Two days before, the TV chef had splashed out, paying £1,900 to upgrade himself, his wife and his daughter from Club World to First Class.

“We upgraded specifically to ensure a comfortable journey for our 13-year-old daughter, who suffers from significant anxiety and travel sickness,” explained Daniel, who regularly appears on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and QVC.

Do you have an airline issue you’d like us to look into? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

However, after boarding, the family was told that one of the seats in the row in front of them had a recliner fault.

“We were then told that passengers from Row 3 would be moved into our Row 4 First Class seats, resulting in us being displaced from the seats we had paid for,” the dad continued.

“My wife was approached by ground staff while I was briefly away from my seat and told that she must move or accept deplaning. As a result, we were effectively forced into a situation where my wife remained in First Class with our daughter, while I was moved alone into Club World after take-off.

“She was told she could either move to Club or deplane, which felt like a very aggressive way for the situation to be handled, especially as my wife was not being confrontational in any way. She had not said or refused that she would move, so I am totally surprised that he said deplaning was an option.”

According to Daniel, they were not offered alternative seats in First Class or given any warning, despite the plane having been ready on the tarmac for several hours before take-off.

It wasn’t being moved that left Daniel embarrassed, however.

“During the process, a cabin service director also referred to us as being “on an upgrade” in front of other passengers, which was incorrect and deeply embarrassing. We had paid in full for First Class seats only two days earlier,” he said.

“The situation left our family separated, and our daughter experienced significant distress during the flight. What was intended to be a special family journey was instead one of discomfort, embarrassment, and disappointment.

“I believe the handling of this situation raises broader questions about customer service standards, particularly when passengers pay for premium cabins and travel with children.”

He added: “The main issue for us was the way the ground handling of the situation was managed, which felt dismissive and unnecessarily harsh. My wife ultimately remained in her seat, but the experience was very distressing at the time.”

A spokesperson for BA said: “We are sorry for our customer’s experience, and we are in contact to make things right.”

After the Mirror contacted BA, Daniel received an apology and was offered a refund on the upgrade as well as the £220 extra he spent to choose specific seats.

The airline has shared advice for passengers to help prevent delays during security checks

British Airways has advice to help passengers ‘avoid delays’ at the airport. The airline’s website shares the latest guidance and travel updates for customers. It also answers frequently asked questions to help passengers have the smoothest possible experience on travel days.

In the baggage FAQ section, the airline has offered a tip for anyone travelling with medication in their hand luggage. British Airways said it recommends that passengers carry a copy of their prescription for any medication they are carrying.

The advice said: “We recommend you carry a copy of the prescription for your medication to avoid delays at security or customs.” Passengers are advised to carry any essential medications in their hand luggage.

British Airways explained: “If you need to take regular medication, it’s important to pack enough essential medication for your personal use on board – and for the first few days of your journey – into your smaller under-seat item of hand baggage. This is in case your hold baggage is delayed for any reason.”

British Airways adds that this medication shouldn’t be packed in any larger cabin bags. “Avoid packing medication in your larger cabin bag as you may be asked to put it into the hold on busy flights.

“Additional medication for personal use at your destination can also be packed in your checked baggage, so long as you are carrying enough for a few days in your hand baggage in case of any eventuality.”

There are allowances for passengers who need to carry medicines exceeding 100ml. Gov.uk explains: “You’re allowed to carry the following in your hand luggage: essential medicines of more than 100ml, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers or medical equipment, if it’s essential for your journey.

“You’ll need to carry proof that the medication is prescribed to you (for example, a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription) if it’s both: in liquid form and in a container larger than 100ml. You do not need to show proof if the medication is either: in tablet form or liquid in a container that’s 100ml or smaller.”

Gov.uk also shares advice for any passengers travelling with medicine containing a controlled drug. The guidance states: “You must carry medicine containing a controlled drug with you in your hand luggage when entering or leaving the UK.

It may be taken away from you at the border if you cannot prove it was prescribed for you.”

THERE’s a beach in one of Europe’s most up-and-coming holiday destinations that makes you feel like you’re in the Caribbean or Thailand.

Montenegro is on everyone’s radar this year as a holiday destination, thanks to new British Airways and Jet2 flights.

And one of the big spots to visit in Montenegro is the seaside town of Budva, one of the original tourist resorts.

Yet most tourists may not realise it has a lesser-popular beach away from the crowds – if you know where to look.

The main beach of the town is Mogren I beach, which can only be reached by a winding footpath through the cliffs.

However, most tourists stop there, not knowing that the local-loved beach is hidden around the corner.

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Mogren II beach is even harder to get through, via rickety iron bridge through a rock tunnel.

Yet it is worth the walk. I was greeted by bright blue waters not unlike some of the ones I had recently seen in Krabi, as well as quiet stretches of coastline.

I was there at 8am in the morning and not only did I skip the crowds, but I will enjoyed the already-soaring 29C temperatures.

While not sand – its actually very tiny white pebbles – I still felt like I had been transported somewhere much more tropical.

You can even rent sunloungers for the day which range from £10-£20 a day which includes two sunbeds and an umbrella.

And right behind these is Mogren Beach Bar, serving everything from cocktails to food, either meals or snacks to be taken to your lounger.

Prefer a shady beach? Visit after 3pm as the cliffs then hide most of the sunshine.

Other tourists agreed, with one on Tripadvisor calling it the “one of the best beaches in Europe“.

Another wrote: “One of the beautiful beaches I ever visited.”

To get to Budva, you can fly from the UK with British Airways, easyJet or Jet2 to Tivat, with it another 30 minutes by bus or car.

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Travel expert Simon Calder has explained the rights of British Airways and easyJet passengers after numerous flights were cancelled

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a stark warning to British Airways (BA) and easyJet passengers, telling them they ‘will not be getting any cash’ after thousands found their flights axed over the weekend. Hundreds of services were thrown into chaos following a bout of thunderstorms, with Heathrow and Gatwick bearing the brunt of the disruption.

On Saturday alone, more than 900 inbound and outbound flights were delayed — some by as much as 11 hours — with dozens cancelled outright. South-East England and North-West Europe were among the worst-hit regions.

Travel expert Mr Calder said the chaos had left approximately 40,000 passengers ‘stranded’. He broke down exactly what passengers are entitled to when flights are delayed or cancelled, and precisely what obligations airlines have towards them, reports the Express.

What are your rights?

Mr Calder said: “It has been a miserable Saturday for 30,000 or more passengers on British Airways to and from London Heathrow and EasyJet in and out of Gatwick. The reason? Thunderstorms in the London area have caused air traffic control restrictions, and as those airports are operating at full stretch, especially on Saturdays in summer, unfortunately there’s no slack in the system, and the biggest airlines at those airports have no option but to cancel flights.”

“BA’s cancelled around 100, including an Airbus superjumbo going to and from Los Angeles. EasyJet has cancelled 82, including some really long ones to Hurghada in Egypt and also Antalya in Turkey.

“Under air passenger rights rules, the airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible, including booking a flight on another airline if necessary. Meanwhile, they have to provide you with hotel accommodation and meals as necessary until they can get you where you need to be. You will not, though, be getting any cash compensation. Good luck, everybody.”

What happened?

Mr Calder continued: “200+ flights cancelled today on British Airways to/from Heathrow and on easyJet to/from Gatwick, with 35,000 passengers stranded.

“Under air passengers’ rights rules, they are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline, plus meals/hotels as appropriate.

“Dozens more flights cancelled on Sunday to and from Heathrow and Gatwick airports by British Airways and easyJet due to poor weather”.

“(It) follows more than 200 grounded flights on Saturday (and) brings the number of passengers whose flights have been cancelled this weekend to around 40,000.”

In an updated statement on Saturday afternoon, NATS said: “Severe thunderstorms across the south east of England and Europe continue to impact flights, and this is expected to continue for the remainder of today and overnight.

“To ensure the safety of the travelling public, aircraft need to avoid affected areas and be spaced further apart, which limits the number of flights that can operate safely.

“We understand disruption is frustrating, but we’re working closely with airlines and airports to reduce disruption as much as possible.

“Passengers should continue to contact their airline for the latest information on their flight.”

Airlines have different rules to cope with the new sports gear

A woman was left ‘in tears’ when her ‘lucky’ padel racket was confiscated before her flight home due to one simple error. Henrietta Jones-Chapman brought the racket ‘worth more than £100’ to Bali so she could play the sport during a work trip.

But the 27-year-old says that before her flight home, security staff at Bali Denpasar Airport, Indonesia, confiscated the orange racket. ‘Heartbroken’ Henrietta says she was left in tears and could only think workers were worried she’d start ‘hitting someone round the head’ with it’.

She filmed a TikTok video moments after the incident and captioned it ‘don’t bring your padel racket in your hand luggage coming home from Bali’. The clip, which now has more than 230,000 views, includes footage of Henrietta admitting ‘I’m actually crying, it’s so pathetic’.

She explains she brought the racket into the country in the same handbag so is confused why it’s been taken from her. Henrietta says she had to ‘kick up a fuss’ to convince staff to put the racket in the hold for free so she could keep it.

In Indonesian law padel rackets are not allowed in the cabin because they are classified as ‘dangerous devices’ so she should have checked it into the hold. UK Government guidelines allow tennis rackets to be taken as hand luggage but prohibit ‘heavy bats and sticks’ including ‘baseball, softball and cricket bats’.

The list doesn’t appear to contain a rule on padel rackets, which take a tennis shape but are stringless and more solid. However passengers should check with specific airlines regarding equipment restrictions as some allow them on board and others don’t.

Padel is booming in the UK, with an estimated 1,000,000 people now playing the sport. Player participation has surged by over 2,500% making it the fastest growing sport in the country.

Henrietta, from Harlow, Essex, said: “I was heartbroken. I know it’s a bit dramatic but it’s an item that was important to me. I was gutted. It was not just your average racket, it was more than £100 and personalised by my brother so it was sentimental.

“I took it there [Bali] and it was fine to take there so it was still in my hand luggage on the way out like normal and I had no issues at all. It was in my handbag and I didn’t even take it out at security or put it in the tray, I just left it in the bag.

“Then a lady came over with a sign with a padel racket saying it’s a new law that they’re not allowed to bring it in your hand luggage essentially. The lady said ‘no you can’t bring it through’ and I cried. I don’t know if it was because I was leaving Bali as well. I was panicked.

“She took it off me but she was apologetic because she could see I was crying. It was my lucky racket. I don’t see what the danger is unless I start hitting someone round the head with it on the plane but that could be anything, your laptop.

“Because I wasn’t expecting this I was kicking off a bit of a fuss and getting upset and saying ‘I think there should’ve been a warning before we got to that point’. If I hadn’t kicked off it would’ve just been in the bin and gone. I was really relieved.”

Airlines have their own rules on sports rackets such as Ryanair who prohibit them as ‘blunt instruments capable of causing serious injury’. However, British Airways allows passengers to pack padel rackets as long as they’re in a slim protective case.

Henrietta, who had been working in Bali as a girls-only holiday host, says staff told her about the Indonesian law surrounding rackets being banned from hand luggage. They reportedly added that in future they wouldn’t let her go back to check the racket into the hold.

She’s now warning holidaymakers the should always put their rackets in hold luggage to avoid making the same mistake she did. Henrietta said: “Make sure rackets are in your check-in bag if you’re traveling to Bali. Maybe if you’re worried about it getting broken get a proper case or padel bag.

“Make sure it’s checked in with all your rest of your stuff and not have it in your hand luggage because if I was any later my bag might’ve already gone through. There could’ve been extra costs but I was lucky they didn’t charge me but there would’ve been going forwards.

“Now you know it’s one of those things you can easily do. At least now people know it can be safely kept in the hold. I do think there’ll be a lot of people that travel back from Bali with their racket because it’s cheaper to get one over there and it’s played a lot.”

Bali Denpasar Airport has been contacted for comment.