Summer holiday season is a go and with it, the very often tiresome job of packing to get there in the first place. But before you do, it's probably worth reminding yourself of the rather long list of banned items you can't take on board with you.
Buying new holiday clobber itself is exciting and an essential part of the routine to get your mindset ready for a city break or week on the beach in the gorgeous sunshine.
But then putting it all together and fitting it in your suitcases or hand luggage can be a bit of a nightmare.
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There are some pretty handy tips out there to pack your bags so you don't end up paying those extra surcharges, but sadly they're not always foolproof.
Ryanair rules are pretty standard when it comes to your clothes. They're just garments after all, so as long as you fit them in your cases and don't go over weight limits, it's happy days and full steam ahead.
But there is a very long list of banned items that the budget Irish airline doesn't allow on its planes. And some of the list might shock you.
There are more general rules that form part of the banned list. No surprises to see that you can't take on items such as sharp objects like scissors, taser, or blunt instruments. A major red flag and you'll potentially get in to pretty serious trouble.
And despite the 100ml liquid rule coming to an end across the UK's airports, it's still not in place everywhere. So definitely check on that front before putting your hand luggage together, as no one wants a delay at security check.
Ryanair's own list of rules include some obvious bans and some that are, at first glance, a little more niche.
"You must not carry any of the following items in checked-in luggage or carry-on baggage, or go through security with them on you (for example in your pockets),” Ryanair says on its website.
"Any item which could be a danger to the plane, people or property."
Top of the list is 'explosives and substances and devices capable of, or appearing to be capable of, causing serious injury or posing a threat to the safety of the plane, including, detonators and fuses, replica or imitation explosive devices, mines and grenades'. If you're taking this on board, safe to say you're getting in to serious bother with the law.
The list of banned items follows a similar route, with 'blasting caps; other explosive military stores; dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives; gas and gas containers; and flammable liquids' all prohibited.
Flammable solids and substances that cause a chemical reaction can't be packed in any baggage as well as 'fireworks, flares, smoke-generating canisters or cartridges, and other pyrotechnics'.
The list gets a bit more normal, with paint, turpentine, white spirit and paint thinner also axed from the permitted list. The same goes for alcohol with an ABV of more than 70 per cent. No absinthe for you.
Furthermore, you can't bring on lighter and firelighters in your bags, which is a big one if you're a smoker. You can get one lighter per person through security but it has to be in a clear, plastic bag and then remain on your body for the duration of the journey.
It's also a no for more than a litre of edible oil, such as olive oil, Christmas crackers, and energy-saving light bulbs. There's no real point asking why, just follow the rules so you don't get in to bother.
The rest of the list is as follows:
- Chemicals, toxic substances or infectious substances (for example, acids and alkalis, ‘wet’ batteries, bleach, tear gas, animal-repellent sprays, poisons, infected blood, and bacteria and viruses)
- Radioactive material, including medicinal or commercial isotopes
- Corrosives, including mercury, vehicle batteries, and parts which have contained fuel
- Lithium ion battery-powered vehicles (including segways and hoverboards) other than any wheelchair or mobility equipment that meets our regulations
- Lithium ion battery-powered devices that exceed 160 watt hours
- Smart bags which the lithium battery has not been removed from
- Guns, firearms, ammunition and weapons, whether real or imitations, including, starting pistols, toy guns or recreational guns (such as paint ball guns), nail guns, bows, slingshots, catapults, harpoon guns, stun guns, tasers, cattle prods and lasers
- Parts of firearms (except for sighting devices and sights)
- Fire extinguishers (except as authorised by fire procedures and as emergency equipment on the plane)
- Items with internal combustion engines.
Topics: Europe, Holiday, Ryanair, Travel, UK News, World News, Hacks
Tom Earnshaw