pack

While it may not be at the top of your packing list, health experts tell passengers to pack a tennis ball in their hand luggage when flying long-haul for one reason

Packing a tennis ball isn’t to cure mid-flight boredom, it’s actually for something much more important.

If you’re already packing your bags for a holiday, or starting to think about where to jet off to in the summer, make sure you remember to pack a tennis ball.

According to health experts, they can help avoid stiffness or aches while in the air, as well as helping to enhance circulation. They can be used by gently applying pressure and rolling it up and down the thighs, legs, or even shoulders mid flight.

If you’re prone to feeling a bit groggy and sore after a flight, this handy trick might just do the job – and it won’t take up too much room in your carry on bag either.

READ MORE: Cheapest month of the year to travel – and when to book for the best deals

Osteopath Tracy Hannigan urged all passengers to pack one and said: “A tennis ball is small and light and can help you to apply soothing pressure to points you might otherwise not be able to reach,” as reported by Metro, and added: “‘A tennis ball is small and light and can help you to apply soothing pressure to points you might otherwise not be able to reach.”

If you do struggle with stiffness, the expert also recommended stretching regularly to help, noting that the side of the neck can be extended by “turning the chin towards the armpit and gently applying pressure to stretch the opposite side of the neck.”

She said you can also stretch your lower back in your plane seat by crossing your legs and leaning forward as if you’re “trying to reach down to the crossed-over foot with your elbow.”

Another of Tracy’s hacks is to use a hand towel and put the tennis ball in the middle of it and “roll it like a sausage” so when you apply pressure with the ball, it’s “easier to position” and will also help to keep it in position.

Flight attendant Cher, who has been working on aircrafts for five years, has also shared some of her own travel hacks, including urging people to put important items in carry-on baggage rather than checked suitcases. She even recommends these essentials be kept in the personal bag that sits at your feet.

She warned: “It is not uncommon for somebody to mistake your carry on as theirs and take it off. I have seen this dozens of times.” Cher advises packing underwear, a toothbrush, toiletries or “anything you couldn’t go a couple days without” in this bag. She noted: “The best thing in aviation is to basically prepare for the worst.

“Flight attendant bags are marked up to the nines with custom tags so we can identify them as ours. I would recommend doing something on your bag that will prevent somebody else from confusing it as theirs.

A former Ryanair flight attendant has shared some essential travel tips for passengers including the one item never to pack in checked luggage for safety reasons

A former Ryanair cabin crew member has revealed the one item travellers should never pack in their hold luggage.

Eleanor, who was stationed in Marseille, France, clocked up numerous hours flying across the globe with the well-known low-cost carrier. The 25-year-old content creator has chronicled various aspects of her experiences on YouTube, including posting a video discussing the advantages and disadvantages of working as cabin crew for the Irish airline.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror about what shouldn’t go in checked baggage, the ex-flight attendant explained: “I can say you’re not supposed to have any laptops or computers in the checked bag because an overheated battery could cause a fire – and if the source is not in the cabin there won’t be any way to stop it.”

While it’s not prohibited to place a laptop in checked luggage on Ryanair flights, it’s widely regarded as safer to keep it in the cabin where possible.

That said, if personal electronic devices must travel in the hold, Ryanair has four particular requirements you need to follow, as outlined in their terms and conditions.

Firstly, the device must be “totally switched off” and “effectively protected from being turned on accidentally”.

Secondly, any apps, alarms or settings capable of activating it must be disabled or deactivated prior to placing it in your bag for the journey.

Thirdly, you need to ensure the device is safeguarded against accidental damage, either through packaging or a protective case. Alternatively, it can be shielded by sufficient cushioning within a sturdy bag.

The final stipulation is that the device must not share a bag with any flammable substances, including perfume or aerosols.

Meanwhile, Eleanor also shared with us two seats that passengers might want to “avoid” when booking their holidays.

With her extensive experience, she understands better than most how particular seats can significantly impact a journey. She explained: “I can only say to avoid 11A. That’s supposed to be a window seat – but it doesn’t have a window! You won’t be able to see outside.”

Previously dubbed “Europe’s most hated” seat, there’s another one worth swerving, as she added: “Also avoid row 32 on the 737 MAX, an aircraft that Ryanair has only in some bases. That has emergency exits at the wings, and a crew seat near them that faces the passengers.”

Eleanor, who hails from Italy and is now based in New Zealand, elaborated: “So, if you sit in that row, you’ll have the flight attendant stare at you during take off and landing, and you’ll have to move every time they have to pass. It was very uncomfortable as a flight attendant, I imagine it is as a passenger also.”

Travel experts reveal the three types of items you should avoid packing in your cabin bag when flying with budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet

Travellers who choose to fly with budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet can take advantage of remarkably low fares if they travel with hand luggage only. However, these airlines, like numerous other low-cost operators, require passengers to pay additional fees for larger cabin bags or checked luggage.

Should you turn up at the airport with more than your permitted luggage allowance, you could be stung with substantial excess charges. Matthew Corrigan, CEO of Trtl Travel, recommends that one of the most effective ways to maximise your luggage allowance and sidestep extra costs is to pack cleverly.

He said: “Airlines such as Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 are cracking down on hand luggage passengers.”

In recent years, numerous airlines have tightened restrictions on the amount of hand luggage passengers can bring aboard. For example, Ryanair now only permits passengers to bring one small item of luggage per person free of charge.

Matthew said: “One of the main downsides of travelling with only a carry-on bag is significantly less space for your belongings.

“Whilst this may seem like a deal-breaker, there are some simple ways to maximise the space in your hand luggage.”

According to the specialist, this means leaving certain everyday essentials behind that could be taking up considerable space or adding unnecessary weight.

Travel guru Matthew has some shrewd advice to banish your packing headaches for good. He suggests: “Avoid packing items that will be provided by the accommodation – such as hairdryers, towels, and toiletries. Only bring items you know you’ll use, and try to share phone chargers and other technology wherever possible.”

Before you start packing those bulky bottles of shampoo or a hefty hairdryer, check with your hotel first; there’s a good chance they’ve got you covered. And let’s face it, you can pick up toiletries at your destination if needed.

Heading somewhere chilly? Matthew’s tip: wear your coat and chunky knits on the plane instead of cramming them into your bags.

Walk through departures in your winter wear, he says, because after all, you can throw your coat over your arm if you warm up. Plus, it won’t count against your cabin baggage allowance and you’ll avoid the shivers mid-flight.

He added: “It’s best to wear large items such as jumpers and coats onto the plane rather than packing them. This frees up space and ensures you don’t get cold during the flight.”

If you do not declare banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000

With Easter on the horizon, many Brits will likely jet off abroad for some much-needed sunshine. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the rules on returning to England, as a single mistake could result in a hefty fine.

You may be surprised to learn that this pertains to what you’re allowed to pack in your suitcase. While there are no restrictions on bringing food items such as bread, biscuits, and chocolate, other products are either banned or require declaration.

Official Government guidance has said: “There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds into Great Britain from abroad. If you’re bringing in any food or animal products protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you may need to apply for a CITES permit.”

Generally, the rules regarding the importation of meat, dairy, fish, and other animal products into Britain largely depend on their country of origin. At present, there are tight restrictions on importing certain meat or dairy products from any EU country into Great Britain for personal use.

This ban is part of an effort to prevent further spread of animal-related diseases following recent outbreaks in Europe. It specifically applies to the following food items:

• Mutton
• Goat
• Venison
• Other products made from these meats, for example, sausages
• Milk and dairy products like butter, cheese and yoghurt
• Pork
• Beef
• Lamb

However, it is understood that holidaymakers can still bring fish, poultry, eggs, or honey from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland for personal use.

Food restrictions for nations beyond the EU are somewhat more stringent. Existing regulations stipulate that travellers cannot bring back any meat or meat products, or milk or dairy products.

Exemptions do exist, particularly for powdered infant milk, baby food or anything required for medical purposes. Additional Government guidance has also clarified that you may bring in ‘up to 2kg per person’ of:

• Honey
• Powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons – you can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use)
• Shellfish, such as mussels or oysters
• Snails – these must be preserved or shelled, cooked and prepared
• Frogs’ legs – these must be the back (hind) part of the frog with the skin and internal organs removed
• Insect meat

Travellers may bring up to ’20kg per person in total of fish’ too, including:

• Fresh fish – must be gutted
• Fish products
• Processed fish – must be dried, cooked, cured or smoked
• Lobsters
• Prawns

It is vital to understand that the Government also enforces restrictions concerning plant products. Holidaymakers are permitted to transport fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds from the EU, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein into the UK.

However, restrictions vary considerably for countries beyond the EU. The Government’s advice continued: “You cannot bring in most fruit or vegetables unless you have a ‘phytosanitary’ (plant health) certificate for them. You can get a certificate from the plant health authorities in the country you’re leaving.”

Anyone travelling to the UK from countries outside the EU can only take these items back without a certificate:

• Pineapple
• Kiwi
• Coconut
• Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit
• Kumquat
• Persimmon
• Durian
• Curry leaves
• Banana and plantain
• Mango
• Dates
• Passion fruit
• Guava
• Processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads or frozen plant material
• Peeled and processed nuts or nut butters
• Certain grains, such as rice

“If you declare banned food products to Border Force officers at customs, they’ll take them away and destroy them,” the Government has added, according to the Express. “If you do not declare banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000 (in England) or you could be prosecuted.

“Border Force can take away (‘seize’) your products if they think: you’ve brought something into the country illegally, you’ve brought in too much of a restricted product, it’s been cross-contaminated, for example with blood from meat – if any clothing or a bag the item’s in is contaminated, it’ll be destroyed.

“If you’re not sure about any of the products you’re bringing in, speak to a Border Force officer in the ‘red channel’ at customs or on the red point phone.”

For more information, head to the Government’s website here.

What other items face no restrictions?

You are allowed to bring the following items into Great Britain from any country without restrictions:

• Bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
• Cakes without fresh cream
• Biscuits
• Chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
• Pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
• Packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
• Processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
• Food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules