Snow your rights before jetting off this Christmas

At a glance:

• UK Civil Aviation Authority reveals top six tips for Christmas flights.
• Expected to be busiest December for air travel since the pandemic.

With millions expected to jet off over the festive season, the UK Civil Aviation Authority is urging people to know their consumer rights and pack safely to ensure their Christmas travel plans are fully wrapped up before they fly.

Last December almost 11 million passengers jetted off from UK airports to visit loved ones, take in some winter sun or enjoy a winter sports trip.  This year the regulator’s data trends suggest airports will be even busier as demand for flights is expected to get back to pre-pandemic levels.

The regulator’s ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign includes some top tips on booking trips, how to pack safely and what people are entitled to if their flight is disrupted. To help passengers, the regulator has produced a series of short, animated videos that will be running on its social media channels. 

Selina Chadha, director of the Consumer and Markets Group at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: 

"Flying abroad during the festive season is a tradition for millions across the UK.

"While the aviation industry is dedicated to ensuring smooth journeys, disruption can sometimes occur.

"We strongly encourage passengers to familiarise themselves with their rights before heading to the airport, so they feel confident and well-prepared to address any unexpected challenges."

The regulator has revealed its top six seasonal tips for passengers:

• Check before you take off to make sure you are aware of your airline's specific policies regarding lithium batteries as they can pose a serious fire risk.
• Watch out if you are travelling with Christmas or New Year party materials that contain explosives or other dangerous goods. Party poppers are banned from being flown in aircraft, while Christmas crackers can be carried but must be in their original packaging. 
• Make sure you know in advance that if your flight is delayed for whatever reason your airline should look after you - this can include providing food and drink depending on the length of delay, as well as accommodation if you are delayed overnight.
• Be aware that if your flight is cancelled you should be offered a choice of a refund or alternative travel arrangements at the earliest opportunity, or an alternative date suitable for you. This can include flights on other airlines.
• Think ahead and check your baggage allowance and contents in advance to avoid unexpected fees or having to give up personal goods at the airport.
• Know that lost or damaged luggage is the responsibility of the airline and the amount of compensation you could receive will depend on the value of items lost or damaged, but subject to limits set by international laws.

Notes to editors

More information on consumer issues can be found on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website and social media channels.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator. We work so that the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards and consumers have choice and are protected and treated fairly when they fly. Our mission statement is ‘Protecting people, enabling aerospace.’

UK Civil Aviation Authority ‘Know Before You Go’ tips in full:

Carrying gifts and festive items with lithium batteries or that contain explosives

• Pack carefully when transporting lithium batteries. Found in items like vapes, mobile phones, and power banks, they can pose serious fire risks if damaged. Any power banks or spare batteries must be in a cabin bag. Passengers can only carry a maximum of two extra batteries. Carrying these items in your cabin bag helps ensure a quicker and smoother screening process. 
• Before you take off, make sure you are aware of your airline's specific policies regarding lithium batteries. Different carriers may have slight variations and most passengers will also receive an email from their airline before they fly that sets out what they can pack and where.
• Passengers may also be travelling with Christmas or New Year party materials or gifts that contain explosives or other dangerous goods such as lithium batteries. For the UK that includes party poppers and Christmas crackers. Party poppers are banned from being flown in aircraft, while Christmas crackers can be carried but must be in their original packaging. 
• Devices containing lithium batteries should be carried in hand luggage. However, if they are carried as checked baggage, they must be completely switched off to prevent unintentional activation or damage. If in doubt, check the advice available on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.

Your rights when your flight is disrupted

• If your flight is delayed your airline should look after you - this can include providing food and drink depending on the length of the delay, as well as accommodation if you are delayed overnight.
• If your flight is cancelled you should be offered a choice of a refund or alternative travel arrangements at the earliest opportunity, or an alternative date suitable for you. Alternative travel arrangements at the earliest opportunity can include flights on other airlines, and the airline should look after you until your new flight departs.
• If the airline fails to look after you or does not offer you suitable alternative arrangements and you still want to travel, you can make your own arrangements and reclaim your costs from the airline.  Make sure you keep receipts and do not spend more than you need to.

Your rights when travelling

• If you require special assistance, make your airline well aware in advance and arrive early at the airport. More information can be found on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website. 

Luggage and airport safety restrictions

• Check your baggage allowance and contents to avoid unexpected fees or having to give up personal goods. Airlines will have weight allowances for luggage, and airport safety restrictions may limit the amount of liquid allowed and prohibit certain items.

• Lost or damaged luggage is the responsibility of the airline and the amount of compensation you could receive will depend on the value of items lost, but subject to limits set by international laws. Make sure you report baggage issues at the airport and keep a copy of the Property Irregularity Report which staff of the airline will complete.

• Most airlines will reimburse you for the bare essentials you need to buy when your bag is delayed and you are away from home. More information can be found here.

Taking your complaint further

• If you have complained to an airline and are not happy with the response you can contact the relevant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider if your airline has signed up to this.  If your airline has not signed up to ADR, you can escalate your concern to the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team. You can see which airlines are a member of a CAA-approved ADR scheme here.
• The Department for Transport also has an Air passenger travel guide, which is a guide to the rights and responsibilities of air passengers.

Top tips if booking a last minute trip

• Make sure your package holiday is ATOL protected which means you will get support and financial help in the unlikely event your travel company stops trading. Consumers can check their package trip is ATOL protected by using the Check for ATOL tool on ATOL.org.
• Use a credit card for holiday bookings if possible - it may provide additional protection for your trip under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
• Take out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, which can provide extra protection if the holiday doesn’t work out quite as intended. It can protect against a range of issues relating from missed transport and medical emergencies through to items lost or stolen when travelling, but always check your cover meets your needs.
• Check you have a valid passport for the dates you are travelling. If you’re travelling to the EU, your passport must be issued less than 10 years before your arrival date (the day you land on holiday) and be valid for three months from the final day of your holiday.  You can check if your passport is valid for your upcoming trip on GOV.UK.