luggage

THE EU is in the midst of making huge changes when it comes to air travel and all of them will greatly benefit passengers.

These include no extra fees, better compensation rights and families heading on holiday can sit together at no extra charge – but now we’re out of the EU, the new rights will only carry weight for Brits on certain flights.

The new regulations were agreed by the EU Council and Parliament yesterday, making it the first overhaul in over 20 years and will come into play in 2027.

Some of the biggest changes include allowing families to sit together at no extra cost, as well as passengers having a free personal item to take onboard.

There also won’t be penalties for missing one leg of a booking, and hand luggage costs will be shown upfront in the fare.

There will also be a ban on additional fees for alterations like name correction.

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It will be easier for passengers to get money back for delays or cancellations too.

Airlines will need to immediately acknowledge a claim and then reply within 30 days.

For those who experience delays, there is a right to assistance which includes refreshments every two hours of waiting time, a meal after three hours, internet access and phone calls.

When passengers need overnight stays, they should be given the hotel free of charge and get free transport from the airport to the accommodation and back.

After a cancelled flight or denied boarding, passengers who choose to reroute must be given an alternative journey within three hours.

This all sounds great doesn’t it? Well, there is some bad news – this won’t count for all British travellers leaving the UK.

As a result of Brexit, British holidaymakers won’t necessarily benefit from this as in some cases their flights will fall under passenger rights called UK261.

Whereas for those living in the EU, the new regulations count for all.

For Brits heading on holiday, taking advantage of these EU changes will depend on the route and the airline.

For example, a flight leaving the UK for Malaga with Ryanair will fall under EU rules as Ryanair is an EU airline.

The Malaga to UK return leg will also be under the EU rules – on the return journey, it doesn’t matter if the airline is EU or non-EU, because the flight departs from the EU.

Along with Ryanair, the likes of Wizz Air, easyJet and Lufthansa are all EU-airlines so the new rules automatically count for Brits on both journeys to EU countries.

There will however, be a gap on flights leaving the UK on a non-EU airline.

For example, if a British passenger flies from London to Madrid on a UK airline like British Airways, that outbound leg would remain under UK261 rules rather than the new EU regulations.

But the return would fall under the EU rules because it departs from Madrid in the EU.

So Brits heading on holiday will only get the new benefits if they are travelling on EU-covered flights.

They will not get them automatically on all flights from UK airports.

UK-airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Jet2 won’t fall under the new EU rules.

But these do have their own guidelines and policies regarding families sitting together and luggage costs.

AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko, a renowned aviation lawyer, added: “This agreement is a meaningful step forward for European passengers, and it throws the position of UK travellers into sharp relief.

“For the first time since Brexit, we are looking at a real divergence in the
everyday rights of passengers flying from the UK versus those flying
from the EU.

“The headline compensation amounts remain broadly aligned,
but on the things passengers deal with on every single trip, being
penalised for a missed leg, paying to sit next to your own child,
comparing fares that hide the cost of a bag, EU travellers are about
to pull ahead, and UK travellers are at risk of being left behind.”

A frequent flyer has shared her top three carry-on essentials she never travels without — and they could be a lifesaver if your checked luggage goes missing for a few days

A seasoned traveller has revealed the three essential items you should never forget to pack in your hand luggage when flying, as there’s a strong chance you’ll need them either mid-flight or immediately upon arrival.

Hopping from one country to another can be pretty straightforward, but only when everything runs smoothly. To help ensure your journey goes without a hitch, Jacqui, who travels frequently, and often alone, has outlined the items she’d urge you to keep in your carry-on bag — particularly in case your checked luggage goes astray (though fingers crossed it won’t!).

She emphasised that these are likely things you haven’t previously considered including in your hand luggage.

Money

Jacqui explained that carrying physical currency for your destination is absolutely crucial.

She said: “Not money from your country. Something that I’ve seen people doing videos about travel on TikTok is getting to the place they’re going to and being surprised that in another country, people don’t take your money.

“Take the money of the place you’re going, because just having a bit of cash, especially on you, is always really helpful, especially if your hold luggage were to get lost.”

Power banks

Jacqui stated that a power bank in her hand luggage is something she simply couldn’t do without. However, it’s absolutely crucial to remember these mustn’t be used during the actual flight, with most airlines now taking a firm stance on this.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, power banks must always be kept in your hand luggage and are strictly prohibited from checked bags and suitcases. If security find one in your checked bag, it will be confiscated, and you risk serious flight delays, or even costly diversions.

You are not permitted to charge them during the flight, nor can you use them while in the air. However, they come in extremely handy once you touch down in a new destination.

“I cannot leave home if I’m travelling without a power bank,” Jacqui said. “You can get a cheap one on Amazon; they don’t have to be super expensive, but just being able to charge your phone everywhere is so useful.

She went on: “And if your hold luggage gets lost or you end up just with your carry-on, you become super reliant on your telephone – we’re all super reliant on our telephones when we travel these days. I can’t believe I used to travel without a mobile phone. But being able to just plug it in and charge it is just so so so useful, so make sure that you always have that in your hand luggage.”

Pants

Jacqui noted that packing a spare set of underwear — or several — in your hand luggage can prove incredibly useful.

She added that on long-haul flights, she would pack a complete outfit, reasoning that, should her hold luggage fail to arrive, it could “maybe be a few days,” and she’d want a fresh change of clothes.

“Or at least something that can get me through the day until I can get to the shop and sort myself out,” she added.

Other items that could prove useful to pack in your carry-on luggage…

• Medication
• An empty water bottle to fill after security
• Electronics, including iPads and Kindles
• Valuables
• Travel documents, including a passport and a boarding pass
• A pen
• Earplugs, sleep mask, travel pillow

What do you pack in your hand luggage? Tell us in the comments…

An airline pilot has shared advice for anyone who deals with anxiety on flights

Anxious travellers could enjoy calmer travel days by following three pilot-approved tips. An airline pilot has revealed several steps nervous passengers can take to calm their nerves before boarding.

The advice was shared by Simon Belmont, who describes himself as an airline pilot, Airbus A350 Captain and a fear-of-flying coach. With over 130,000 followers on TikTok, Simon regularly shares tips and tricks for passengers on social media as @Flyman_simon. In a recent video, the pilot shared his top recommendations for holidaymakers feeling anxious about upcoming trips.

He wrote: “Holiday travel can feel extra intense when you are already a nervous flyer. Crowded airports, delays, noise and rushing around can make anxiety feel even bigger.” Fortunately, the pilot identified three steps passengers can take to help alleviate their stress.

In the post, Simon urged passengers to give themselves plenty of time on travel days, be polite to staff, and ensure they’ve packed properly. As he explained, making sure you “keep fed, watered, and entertained” is key to a good flight. “A calmer flight often starts before you even board. Small changes really do help,” the expert pointed out.

In his video, Simon told viewers: “I’ll give you three top tips to try and make it de-stressed. If you’re a fearful flyer, de-stressing that journey really does lower your levels, and it stops you peaking, maybe overthinking, and doing all that doom thinking that gets you worried about flying.”

Simon said: “Number one, give yourself plenty of time. That is one of the biggest things. If you’re up against the clock, wondering whether that gate’s going to close and you’re going to make the flight, it’s stress from the second you leave your home or the hotel, sat in traffic. So give yourself that extra bit of time.”

He continued: “When you get to the airport, be really courteous, really nice and friendly. Remember all of those staff, all the security staff, and everyone else, they’re not trying to hold you up. They’re trying to do their job. They’re not going to cut corners on safety, and they are going to try to get you through as soon as possible.”

The pilot also advised people to pack entertainment. He explained: “Keep entertained and keep fed and watered. So keep things to keep you busy when you are sat around waiting.”

“Make sure that you have got some snacks, you’ve got some things to eat to keep that blood sugar level up, and that will again de-stress you, put you in a much happier mood, and give you a much better chance,” Simon explained.

He continued: “Keep hydrated because at the other end you want to be able to enjoy the holiday, the business trip, seeing family and friends. Dehydrated, you’re going to feel groggy and crappy.

“So yeah, give yourself plenty of time. Be courteous, remember the people are working hard, and keep yourself fed, watered, and entertained. So download those videos, take little games, card games, whatever you can.”

A passenger revealed that the tip ‘really helped’ when they encountered a common travel problem

Passengers have been advised to pack an extra item in their hold luggage before travelling. The ‘helpful’ travel tip was shared by an airline passenger who swears by the method. The recommendation was shared on Reddit’s r/airport forum. Sharing a question for social media users, a travel fan asked: “What are the best airport tips?”

The post read: “My trick is to always carry an empty bottle. After passing through security at every airport, I look for a drinking fountain. Most airports have a couple of them. I discovered a nice website called Water at Airport. If I can’t find one, I just do a quick search on the website.

“This is just a recommendation. Let me know if you have any other trips to the airport. I’m planning some new trips and will definitely need them!” In response, passengers shared several recommendations, including a tip that could be useful for anyone flying with hold luggage.

A traveller wrote: “I might be old school, but I not only tag my bag on the outside but I also put my name and address identification on the inside.” They explained: “This really became helpful when my bag was delayed and then the exterior luggage tag somehow got ripped off.

“I was able to describe the bag, its contents, as well as the additional tag information in the bag – it really helped! This can be as simple as writing your name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and then putting it inside a Ziploc bag and then putting it somewhere inside your checked luggage.”

Most airlines recommend that passengers include a label inside and outside their luggage. While the inner label is not often needed, it could be helpful if the exterior label falls off.

For instance, easyJet advises customers to add a luggage label to their bags and leave contact information inside the luggage. Recommending the idea to passengers, easyJet’s website says: “Make sure your bags stand out from the crowd on the carousel!

“We advise attaching something noticeable and unique to your luggage like a colourful ribbon, eye-catching sticker or personalised tag. This will make it easier for you to spot your luggage on the carousel at arrivals and avoid any confusion with similar bags.

“We also recommend adding a label to your luggage with your name and contact details such as address, email and phone number and put a copy of these details inside your bag too! This would really help us reunite you with your bag in the unlikely event of the exterior tags falling off.”

British Airways offers similar advice. The airline’s website says: “Label your bags inside and out with your name, destination address, email address and mobile number.”

The rule reminder comes after a flight was forced to divert and deal with the issue

An EasyJet plane had to make an emergency landing in Rome over the weekend because there was a potential fire risk linked to a passenger’s luggage. The captain told all 180 passengers that a restricted item in the cargo hold posed a serious danger and had to be dealt with on the ground.

Reports suggest that a passenger had left their phone charging in their checked baggage using a power bank. It is claimed that a woman told a flight attendant the location of her power bank, prompting the aircraft to be diverted due to a possible fire risk.

The emergency landing happened at 11.30pm on Saturday, May 23. Passengers were reportedly provided with hotel rooms, though some chose to sleep in the airport terminals, as the next EasyJet flight back to the UK wasn’t available until 2pm the following day (May 24).

On EasyJet’s website, the airline sets out its regulations regarding lithium batteries, including what is classed as “prohibited”. It said: “Power banks are accepted on EasyJet aircraft with a Wh rating not exceeding 160Wh for lithium batteries. Power banks are prohibited from use on EasyJet aircraft and must not be used to charge other devices.

“Power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage only. It is recommended that power banks be carried where they can be monitored (i.e. on your person)”

The airline also restricts people to bringing no more than two power banks per person. All power banks “must be individually protected”, according to EasyJet, such as placing them back in original retail packaging or a plastic bag.

These power bank regulations apply to virtually all major airlines, including Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and British Airways. Travellers should check with their individual airline for any specific rules and requirements concerning travelling with a power bank, reports the Express.

Why are power banks considered such a risk?

Power banks are forbidden from use or storage in specific areas on aircraft because they contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are extremely combustible and can suffer “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that may cause them to overheat or ignite.

While they aren’t completely ‘banned’, power banks must be stored in hand luggage and cannot be used while airborne. This is because, should a battery overheat, cabin crew can quickly reach, identify, and put out the flames.

Charging gadgets through them generates additional heat, increasing the fire risk. Some carriers have rules stating that power banks cannot be placed in overhead lockers and must remain visible (such as in the seatback pocket or beneath the seat ahead of you) so that passengers and crew can immediately notice if smoke or flames appear.

Your entitlements if an aircraft is forced to make an emergency landing

If your aircraft makes an emergency landing or diversion, your entitlement to compensation, a refund, or an alternative booking depends entirely on the cause of the emergency. You are legally entitled to specific help during the delay, whatever the reason for the diversion.

Regardless of whether the emergency came from an airline problem or an unforeseeable circumstance, the carrier is legally required to care for you while you wait. This includes vouchers or reimbursement for reasonable meals and beverages, hotel accommodation and transport (if delayed overnight).

If your flight experiences substantial delays or is eventually cancelled, you have the right to select between alternative travel under similar conditions at the earliest opportunity or a refund. Check specific refund entitlements with your selected airline.

AMAZON shoppers are racing to snap up a viral cabin bag that is perfect for dodging dreaded airline luggage fees.

Originally priced at £29.99, the popular bag has been slashed to just £25.49 for the black version.

Vankev Underseat Cabin Bag, £25.49 (was £29.99)

With the bank holiday weekend just days away, lots of savvy shoppers will be jetting off on mini-breaks – and keen to keep extra costs to a minimum.

Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet are notoriously stringent with their baggage rules, meaning flyers can usually only bring a single small personal item onboard for free.

Amazon sells plenty of bargain luggage – no doubt aimed at panicky last-minute spenders – but this particular underseat backpack has racked up thousands of rave reviews.

Measuring exactly 40x20x25cm, in line with Ryanair hand luggage rules, the 20-litre bag is perfectly sized to slide under the seat, meaning you won’t have to spend any extra fees.

It’s got two main compartments, including a suitcase-style opening for clothes, plus a separate padded sleeve that fits a 14-inch laptop.

The backpack boasts a TSA-friendly design, which means it unfolds flat between 90 and 180 degrees so you do not have to clumsily unpack your electronics at airport security.

It also features a handy luggage strap to slide over your main suitcase handle, and a hidden anti-theft pocket that’s perfect for passports and other valuables.

We in the Sun Shopping team haven’t tested this backpack ourselves.

But over 5,000 Amazon shoppers have left five-star reviews on the website, stunned by its quality at that cheap-as-chips price.

“I used this bag for an 8-day trip across Europe,” one happy traveller wrote.

“It was perfect for under the seat on both Ryanair and EasyJet. (No extra fees!) The compartments were all great.”

Another impressed flyer noted: “I have to say, it really impressed me. I easily managed to fit my essentials, including a 14-inch laptop, which had its own padded compartment – a nice touch for protection.

“The straps on this bag make it comfortable to carry around, whether you’re hiking through the airport or simply stashing it under the seat.”

It feels sturdy and well-made, which gives me confidence it’ll hold up during my travels.”

A third shopper added: “Much bigger than you expect, love this, couldn’t go wrong.

“I was amazed at how much I could fit in the bag and how it has a holster to put on my carry-on handle.

“Wow, love it. Worth every penny!”

Sale prices vary across each colour of the bag, and Amazon has marked the discount as a limited-time deal, so jet-setters will need to move fast.

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HIDDEN airline fees are getting so ridiculous, passengers are now just ditching their luggage entirely.

Airlines – although budget ones in particular – now charge as much as £70 for cabins bags that are oversized.

One dad told Seattle Times how he was charged $35 for his extra luggage fee, while his son opted for throwing all of his food away to avoid the costs.

Another frequent traveller told them: “Sometimes, I’ve abandoned so many clothes that I no longer need a checked bag.”

It’s become so bad in some places like Japan that they have introduced signs saying: “Abandon your luggage and you will be charged.”

Others on Reddit say some tourists visiting cold countries leave all the heavy ski and thermal gear at their hotels to avoid having to pack it on their flight.

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But, like most normal people, the idea of leaving behind our best holiday clothes and fanciest toiletries is a no-go.

So, as someone who never checks in a bag but has never been charged, here are some of my top tips to keeping your bag underweight.

Invest in a good luggage weigher

Before you even get to the airport, a luggage weigher can make sure you don’t break the rules of the weight restrictions.

Here’s one currently on 36 per cent discount.

Wear your heaviest shoes

You only need three pairs of shoes for your standard holiday, in my opinion – comfy sandals, fancy sandals and trainers.

Wear the latter for the flight, as these will weigh the most.

Ditch most of the toiletries

Shampoo and body wash are at most hotels; serums can be forgone for a few days;

Try conditioner sheets to save space, and don’t lug that massive toothpaste with you – buy some little ones.

Share the hairtools

Going on a girly holiday? Have one of you bring the straighteners and one bring the hairdryer if you want to avoid the built in hotel one.

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Go for a holdall over a suitcase

While they might not be as comfortable to carry, a bag always weighs less than a suitcase as it doesn’t have the wheels as well.

Or make sure it is a newer, lighter-made suitcase – it Luggage claim to have the world’s lightest in fact, at just 1.8kg.

Fill your pockets

Of course wearing your jacket is a no-brainer – but make sure to get one with lots of pockets to shove things in.

Heavy portable chargers, spare sunglasses… just don’t make it TOO obvious.

Send your entire bag

If you’re travelling domestically, why not try sending your bag instead?

One woman refused to pay the £30 luggage fee – and paid £2.59 to post her clothes instead.

RYANAIR is clamping down harder on passengers attempting to sneak oversized bags onboard.

The airline’s boss announced that staff are set to get an even BIGGER bonus if they see customers trying to board with luggage that doesn’t fit inside the sizer.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has announced that he is planning on increasing the staff bonus for those who identify oversized luggage.

He added that since it was made public knowledge that staff receive additional payment for catching out passengers with incorrectly sized bags, the number of passengers stopped has gone down.

Michael O’Leary said: “The number of outsized bags is falling from, I don’t know, 0.0001 [per cent] to 0.00001.

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“As the numbers fall, I think we will up the rate of commission, from €2.50 (£2.16) to €3.50 (£3.03) or so. Everybody must know, do not show up with a bag that doesn’t fit in the sizer because you will be charged.”

Passengers caught out with an oversized bag at the gate will need to put it in the hold and face an additional £75 fee.

This isn’t the first time the staff incentive increased.

In November year, the airline raised the commission for its gate staff from €1.50 (£1.30) to €2.50 (£2.16) per bag.

Last year, Mr O’Leary said that around 200,000 passengers per year were forced to pay extra to place carry-on luggage in the hold.

He added: “I am still mystified by the number of people with rucksacks who still think they’re going to get through the gate and we won’t notice the rucksack.

“We will, and you will be paying for the rucksack. You’re not getting on if it doesn’t fit.”

Ryanair’s cheapest fares only include one small bag per passenger which must fit under the seat in front of them, for example a handbag or small backpack.

For those taking additional cabin baggage onboard, it must be stored in the overhead locker and be 55x40x20cm in dimension.

The Ryanair boss recently called for a ban on the sale of alcohol before morning flights – an airport tradition for most.

Current rules allow pubs and restaurants in airports to serve alcohol at any time as they do not have to follow the same licensing rules elsewhere in the country.

Talking to The Times, he called for a two-drink cap as rowdy behaviour from drunk passengers is becoming a challenge for all airlines.

The traveller shared her top hand luggage hacks to avoid having to check in a bag, and it’s inspired other holidaymakers to reveal their favourite airport tips and tricks

A savvy traveller has been praised for her ‘genius’ hack to effectively double her hand luggage allowance without forking out for additional fees when flying.

The holidaymaker, known as @lifeofjazz_ on social media, has revealed her top trick for getting away with hand luggage only, dodging the need to check a bag in at the airport. First and foremost, she makes sure her suitcase meets the required dimensions and weight restrictions to avoid any headaches at check-in. She went on to explain: “I have a few tricks that I do when travelling with only hand luggage.

“Number one, I put a bag inside a bag. You see this bag [referencing her video], there’s another bag inside of it. I usually go to Boots or Duty Free, and get a bag because they are not allowed to touch anything inside something you’ve bought already within the airport.

“I have a crossbody bag, obviously that’s fine, it’s tiny. Then I have my small suitcase, make sure you roll everything within your suitcase so it can fit.”

She also advises getting on the plane early to secure overhead locker space rather than having to cram your bag beneath the seat in front.

Responding to her post, one follower commented: “I do the duty thing too. Get a cheeky meal deal from Boots and ask for the biggest bag.”

Another added: “People also don’t realise you don’t need to use those plastic bags for toiletries, you can use your own see through makeup bag, doesn’t matter how big.”

A third user said: “But nowadays you can even bring a cabin wheeled bag, just a rucksack. I do the duty free bag but Ryanair told me they have limitations on duty.”

One more user added: “I always bring a pillow case put some clothes in.”

This follows other passengers revealing their tricks to enhance the airport experience overall, with one user saying: “You can’t bring a full water bottle through airport security, but you can bring an empty one.

“Most airports have water bottle fillers installed at drinking fountains after security. Beats paying six dollars for bottled water.”

Adding to the discussion, another traveller recommended speeding up security screenings by taking off bottle lids, thereby demonstrating to officials the bottles are completely empty.

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in with: “You can bring ice in a bottle though as long as it’s not melted. I like to do that and then fill it up inside the airport. I love ice water.”

Another comment advised against using the first water refill station immediately after security – typically congested due to high traffic – suggesting instead to look for the next available one for a swifter top-up.

A different user contributed yet another travel tip, advising travellers to pack compression socks for longer journeys, explaining: “For personal comfort, I find compression socks to really help during longer flights/trips. I also carry an empty water bottle through security, then refill it before boarding in order to have plenty of water for the flight.

“I carry a light sweater or thin-down vest in my bag (too many cold flights). Noise-cancelling headphones. I also carry a small external battery pack. Always plan for the worst (long lines, delays) allow plenty of time and arrive early.”

The airline advises passengers to avoid putting it in their hold luggage if possible

EasyJet says passengers should keep one type of item with them, ideally in their hand luggage rather than their check-in bags. All passengers can bring one small under-seat cabin bag per person on board for free. It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels) and must be kept under the seat in front of you.

Regarding what travellers should keep in their hand luggage or handbags, the airline stresses the importance of carrying any medication so it’s always within reach. A statement on EasyJet‘s website reads: “We do advise you to pack your medication in your hand luggage where possible, especially if it is medication that you may need to take during the flight.”

In an additional note, the airline says: “If you pack medicines in your hold luggage, we do not require a letter from your healthcare practitioner.” It adds: “We’re unable to refrigerate medication on board.”

There are certain types of medication and equipment passengers can bring on board. EasyJet says: “If you need to bring medication with you, please pack it in your cabin bag wherever possible.” A letter from your healthcare practitioner is only required if you are bringing any of the following items on board:

• Liquids that exceed 100ml.
• Sharp objects such as needles.
• Oxygen cylinders and concentrators.
• Any medical equipment that may be considered as dangerous goods in the aircraft cabin, a list of which can be found here.

EasyJet explains: “The letter should confirm that this medication is prescribed to you and it’s necessary for you to bring the items on board. We do not require a letter from your healthcare practitioner for all other medications and equipment.”

These include gel packs and cooler bags to maintain the temperature of your medication. As well as food and specialist devices such as dialysis machines (subject to size regulations), CPAP machines and nebulisers.

If travelling with medication containing a controlled drug, EasyJet advises passengers to check with their doctor or pharmacist if their prescription contains a controlled drug, as some countries have strict laws regarding these medications. Controlled drugs are medications that are subject to high levels of regulation as a result of government decisions, such as Diazepam, Lorazepam, Codeine or Tramadol.

EasyJet said: “If you need to travel with medicine that contains a controlled drug, please check the embassy rules for the country you’re travelling to, as well as the entry requirements before you fly. You will need to prove your medication is yours, either with a prescription or a letter from your doctor.”

Crutches and walking frames can be brought on board. EasyJet’s cabin crew can store them and return them after landing. Walking frames can be stored on board if space is available, or they will be put into the aircraft hold and returned after landing.

Portable medical equipment can be brought on board in addition to your cabin bag allowance. Portable medical devices must be no larger than 56 x 45 x 25 cm, otherwise they will have to travel in the hold. If you need to carry a small portable medical device, such as:

• CPAP machines
• TENS machines
• Nebulisers
• Portable dialysis machines

EasyJet said: “Then this may be carried in addition to your cabin bag allowance, provided that it’s no larger than 56 x 45 x 25 cm and that you have informed our Special Assistance Team, at least 48 hours before your flight that you require an additional medical bag for your journey. Non-essential medical equipment which exceeds your cabin-bag allowance will be charged in line with our baggage policy and may need to be placed in the hold.

“If you need to bring several medical devices or a large piece of medical equipment, please contact our Special Assistance team at least 48 hours before your flight so that they can advise you.”

ROBOT baggage handlers will replace humans during an experimental project as a major airline trials a humanoid crew.

The pilot programme was announced by Japan Airlines, where Chinese-made robots will be integrated into ground operations at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

The country’s biggest airport will host the three-year experiment, where the machines will be tasked with cleaning planes, as well as loading and transporting baggage.

Looking further into the future, the androids could also be operating ground support equipment including baggage tractors, catering trucks and power units.

The airline said bipedal robots were the best suited to working in airport environments, as opposed to other types of robotic machines.

This is because they are quicker and are able to move within and adapt to cramped spaces.

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“Being human-shaped allows their introduction without significant modifications to existing airport facilities or aircraft structures,” a Japan Airlines spokesperson said.

“By combining cutting-edge AI technology with the unique flexibility of humanoid forms, the project aims to realise a sustainable operational structure through labour savings and workload reduction.”

“Currently, the aviation industry faces a serious challenge in ground handling labour shortages,” they continued.

The airline said this was because of increased tourism and a declining working-age population in Japan.

“Ground handling operations require highly skilled personnel to maintain safety, such as aircraft marshalling and baggage/cargo handling, while also imposing significant physical burdens,” they said.

Baggage handlers do one of the least glamorous and thankless jobs in the modern world.

Many workers suffer with back injuries and are often faced with complaints about lost and damaged belongings.

The robots were trialled in Haneda this week, with a demonstration showing a skinny 51-inch robot tapping and pushing large storage containers on rollers.

To demonstrate that a task had been completed, the robots raise a hand.

The machine is made by Unitree Robotics of China and has 43 separate moving parts.

“While airports appear highly automated and standardised, their back-end operations still rely heavily on human labour and face serious labour shortages,” said Tomohiro Uchida of GMO AI & Robotics, the airline’s partner on the project.

MSE, founded by Martin Lewis, has shared the handy trick online

Money Saving Expert (MSE) has shared a handy trick that could help you get more items on board your next flight. This means you may not need to pay for extra luggage.

On its website, the financial experts have said that anyone flying with easyJet may be able to boost their luggage allowance in a post-security “loophole”. MSE wrote: “If you don’t want to pay for a second bag, there is a loophole to get one on for free.

“It lies in post-security shopping. In addition to your standard hand luggage allowance,easyJet allows you to take one shopping bag on board.” It directs people to the easyJet website, where it notes under ‘Accessories’ that passengers are “allowed to bring some extra things into the cabin. e.g. umbrella, overcoat, crutches, walking stick, one standard bag of goods bought at the airport.”

MSE, founded by Martin Lewis, continued: “It’s worth noting that easyJet says this must be “one standard bag of goods bought at the airport” – and of course, we’re not suggesting you purchase unnecessarily. But if you do have a carrier bag from duty-free or similar, it’ll give you some room for manoeuvre when you walk through the departure gate.

“Some passengers report they’ve been able to stuff the odd item which won’t fit in their hand luggage into it, or even a handbag – others say they’ve successfully boarded with a carrier bag they brought with them specially.” Currently, each easyJet passenger, including children and infants, may purchase up to three checked (hold) bags. A standard checked bag allows 23kg, and you can add extra weight in 3kg increments up to a maximum of 32kg per bag.

If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same booking and flight, you can combine your total weight allowance. This allowance can be distributed across all booked bags, provided no single bag exceeds 32kg. The maximum total dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 275cm.

This means it’s good news for travellers. If you’ve picked up a few extras after passing through security, you may now have space to bring a bit more on board.

As well as announcing a new rule, Ryanair is in the process of installing more self-service bag-drop kiosks, with 95% of the airports it operates from to have them by October

Ryanair is changing its luggage rules, it announced today.

From November 10, all check-in and bag drop services at all airports it operates from will close 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure, up from 40 minutes currently.

The budget airline claims this is to provide “more time for passengers to get through airport security and passport queues” which will “reduce the very small number of passengers who currently miss their flight departure as they are getting stuck in these airport queues.”

The change means the 20% of Ryanair passengers who check their bag will have slightly more time to get through airport security and passport queues and arrive at their departure gate before boarding starts.

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Ryanair is in the process of installing more self-service bag-drop kiosks, with 95% of the airports it operates from to have them by October.

Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tuesday 10 November next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes. This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.

“We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before October. This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks, and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check in a bag, while the 80% (who don’t check in a bag) will be unaffected by this small 20-minute change, as they will continue to check in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate.”

Over the past week, Ryanair passengers have been affected by the new entry/exit system (EES), which has led to long queues at some European airports. Passengers scheduled to fly from Milan Bergamo to Manchester were left behind due to difficulties at passport control.

The system was rolled out across all Schengen Area border checkpoints on April 10. Over the last few weeks it has meant that passengers have taken longer to get through airport security and some have even missed flights as a result.

EES requires non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to register biometric data. This includes facial scans and fingerprints, which are subsequently verified each time they cross a European Schengen Area border. EES is operated by the respective border control authority in each nation rather than by airports or airlines.

Ryanair has since addressed the incident at Milan Bergamo airport. Its spokesperson said: “Should these passengers have presented at the boarding gate desk before it closed, they would have boarded this flight.”

Anyone planning on boarding a plane with hold luggage has been urged to make one change to their suitcases before they fly – as it will help keep belongings safe

Plane passengers need to make one crucial change to their hold luggage. If you’re jetting off and you’ve got bags destined for the plane’s cargo hold, you’ll know just how nerve-wracking it can be to be parted from your belongings. There’s always that nagging worry that your luggage could be lost or stolen before you reach the baggage carousel at your destination, leaving you stranded without clothes, toiletries and other essentials during your holiday.

To tackle this, most travellers will attach luggage tags to their bags. These hold small pieces of paper where you can jot down vital information, such as your email address and phone number, so that should your bag go missing or end up on the wrong flight, airport staff can reach out to you if and when it’s located.

However, one woman on social media has flagged that these tags might not be the most secure option when you’re separated from your bags, particularly as some people inscribe their full name and home address on them.

In a TikTok video, Sammy urged fellow passengers to do something different with their tags, claiming it would help safeguard their personal details from anyone who might attempt to sneak a peek at their information.

She said: “This is something I’ve never seen anyone talk about, and I had to figure it out on my own. This is not safe for you for a plethora of reasons. You have your full name on there, you have your phone number, you have all of your contact information.

“These will flip over. You’re going to have your luggage, and it’s going to flip over, and anyone who sees it can not only take a photo of it, but also anyone who sees your content online that shows your luggage can get all of your information.”

Sammy described the risk of having your details stolen from your luggage tag as “so dangerous” and “so not worth it”. In its place, she advised opting for a luggage tag featuring a full cover. These typically open like a book and fasten with a popper or Velcro, ensuring nobody can access your personal details without deliberately taking your luggage.

You can also accomplish the same outcome by removing the piece of paper from your tag and flipping it around so your details aren’t visible from the outside. You could then write something along the lines of “information overleaf” or “please turn over” on the blank side facing outwards, so airport staff know exactly where to look should they need to get in touch with you.

Those commenting on the post put forward further alternative solutions, such as listing a dummy email address that you can monitor should you ever lose your luggage, but don’t use for anything else.

One person said: “I have a fake name with my spam email that I’ll check if I ever lose my bag.”

Another added: “I write my name and flight number on the front, then put ‘see reverse for personal details’ with my address.”

A third wrote: “Thank you!! I’ve been saying the same thing for years, and people think I’m nuts. Same with names on kids or pets clothing!”

Should you opt to include only your email address without your name, ensure the email itself doesn’t contain your name within the address.

Using a false name, as one commenter proposed, is not recommended, as should your bag go missing, you won’t be able to verify it’s yours if your ID fails to match the name on the luggage tag. That said, you can choose to display only your surname or initials on the card to safeguard as much of your personal details as possible.

TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways hand luggage rules aren’t just about what the airlines will let you bring onboard – passengers are subject to airport rules too

Brits heading on their holidays will want to take note of hand luggage rules – and not just the ones that help you swerve those pesky extra fees.

While many of us fly with different airlines including TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways, hand luggage rules aren’t just about what these firms allow; they’re also dependent on your airport, destination and other factors. These restrictions are universal across various airlines when departing from the UK, but it’s important to note that there could be different rules at the airport you’re flying back into the UK from.

If you’re found to be carrying a prohibited item in your hand luggage, it could be confiscated at airport security. On the UK government website, it states: “Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous – even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.”

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Therefore, it’s vital to check any hand luggage restrictions before arriving at the airport to ensure a safe and seamless journey. It’s also important to check the size limits for your carry-on bag before your flight, as they vary by airline.

List of common items banned in hand luggage

Corkscrew: but it is allowed in hold luggage.

Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) – but it could be allowed in hold luggage depending on the airline.

Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm) – but it could be allowed in hold luggage depending on the airline. However, you can carry small scissors, such as sewing or embroidery scissors, in your hand luggage, but the blade must be shorter than 6cm.

Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps): these are also not allowed in hold luggage.

Non-safety matches: and they are not allowed in hold luggage either. However, safety matches are allowed in hand luggage, but not in hold luggage.

Liquids: The majority of UK airports require liquids to be under 100ml; however, some airports have scrapped this rule. This includes: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London City, Teesside, Belfast International, Belfast City, and Newquay. As rules have evolved, it’s advisable to check directly with the airport for both your outbound and inbound flights, as countries outside the UK may also impose different restrictions. The government outlines that you cannot take frozen liquids, including frozen breast milk, in your hand luggage, but there are some exceptions to the 100ml rule. Passengers are allowed to take “liquid containers up to 2 litres through security at all UK airports” for medical purposes, special dietary requirements, or baby food or milk. Liquids above 100ml purchased at the airport or from duty-free can be taken on board.

Cigarette lighters : they must be placed in a resealable plastic bag in carry-on luggage and kept on you throughout the flight. The government states that passengers may carry only one lighter on board an aircraft, and it cannot be packed in hold luggage.

Niche items banned in hand luggage

Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats): – although they are allowed in hold luggage.

Golf clubs, darts, walking/hiking poles, catapult, crossbow and martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks): but they are all permitted in hold luggage.

Firearms (including replica firearms): but they could be allowed in hold luggage, so it’s best to check directly with your airline before travel.

Harpoon or spear gun: but they might be allowed in hold luggage, so check directly with your airline before travel.

Work tools: this includes drills, a tool with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm, Stanley knife, saw, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, wrench or spanner, bolt gun or nail gun, crowbar and blowtorch). However, they can be taken in hold luggage.

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