Plane Talking: Summer holidays

In our second week of Plane Talking – the column which answers your most frequent questions about flying – we’re tackling some important issues for those planning on taking summer holidays this year. How to find a good deal, how to have luxury travel while there’s a credit crunch and, the question we’re asked above all else, what can you take in your hand luggage when departing from a UK airport?

Q: I’m confused about the current rules for hand luggage. Everything seems to have changed so many times. Can I take a bottle of water in my bag? Can I take sun cream? What is not allowed?

Oonagh: Since January, the one-item restriction has been lifted at most airports. The maximum size for pieces of hand luggage is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including wheels, handles and external pockets. The airline you are flying with may stipulate a smaller bag however, and it may allow just one bag. Check with your airline in advance.

Passengers are allowed to bring small amounts of liquids (up to 100ml) through airport security. The liquids should be in separate containers in a resealable plastic bag. A small freezer bag would do.

With the exception of essential medicines, containers larger than 100ml will not be allowed through security.

On the safe list now are cigarette lighters, drinks (including water, soup and syrups), creams (including sun cream), lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, sprays and pressurised containers (including shaving foam and spray deodorants), pastes (including toothpastes) and hair/shower gels. Baby food and sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, are also allowed, but the accompanying adult will need to taste the juice/water.

Essential medical equipment, accompanied by a letter from a doctor, gets the green light through security.

You can, of course, purchase drinks “airside” (beyond airport security). These liquids are subject to a separate screening process.

Q: I’ve left it a bit late (again) this year to book a summer holiday. Are there ways I can find a last-minute deal?

Sabrina: This year, more than ever, there are deals to be found on summer holidays. If you’ve not got round to booking one yet, but you’re looking to go away in the next couple of months, panic not! The key to finding good value on last-minute deals, as on every deal, is to search around. Many websites have a specific “deals” page which will list stock the airline or agency is trying to shift – especially for holidays departing in the next few weeks. It’s often possible to get hundreds of pounds of savings by booking this way. Packages, rather than separate flights and hotels, tend to be the cheapest way to go if you’re looking to travel soon – but don’t rule out the airlines. Both BA and Virgin have holidays packages. Check BA Holiday’s special deals page or Virgin’s Last minute holidays page.

If you’re looking for inspiration and want a good idea of what’s on offer from a range of airlines and travel agencies, take a look at Cheapflights Hand Picked Deals page, which lists the best of the deals available on the site at the moment – and is the perfect place to find a great last minute deal. For example, current packages with Club Med are listed with savings of around £220 per adult on holidays in Tunisia, Italy, Turkey and Greece, with departures from June 28.

Q: Every story in the papers talks about a credit crunch, and with everything from petrol to food costing me more, I’m wondering about travel. Is it possible to have a luxury holiday, but to pay less for it?

Seema: The good news is, you can. If you’re considering a holiday in Europe then don’t opt for popular destinations like Rome or Paris, instead look for those that offer the same level of luxury at a fraction of the price. For example, instead of a holiday in Florence, why not visit Puglia instead? It’s just as fascinating but less visited than Florence. It’s also easily accessible from the UK – with Bari and Brindisi, its two main airports.

Those looking for a lavish Caribbean beach holiday should consider Croatia instead. Sitting on the Adriatic shores with more than 1,000 islands to visit, Croatia’s emerald waters are warm and its sea-side resorts can rival any in the Caribbean. And since it’s out of the eurozone Croatia allows you to splurge a little more on holiday without feeling the squeeze.

To stretch your pound even further without compromising on luxury consider destinations that are slowly gaining media attention. Montenegro is definitely one of them. Sharing the same Adriatic coast as Croatia, Montenegro’s setting against the Balkan mountains is truly breathtaking. It has some excellent restaurants, quaint hotels and lots of historic monuments to explore.

Have a pressing question you'd like us to answer? Post a comment below to submit your question for the next column. We look forward to hearing from you...

Sabrina Wolfe, Seema Salaam and Oonagh Shiel, editors Cheap Flight News

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

[Emma Pieterson]

Even with higher flight prices, I want to get away for a bit. I want to fly as "green" as possible though. What are your top tips for lessening my carbon footprint. Thanks.

[Anna Curphey]

What is your best advice for saving money. I know the price of the flight is one thing, but there's a lot of other things that make flying so expensive like eating at the airport, all those confusing rules about priority boarding and carry-on luggage. What are the best tips for flying on a budget?

[Clara Grollier]

Is it possible to find a last-minute summer holiday at this stage?

[Brian Buckley]

I'm flying to the US in September. My passport expires in January 2009. Is this likely to be a problem? Does my passport have to be valid for six months from the date of travel?

[Mr Gray]

What is the address of easyJet's damaged goods head office? I wish to make a claim against them for a walker that got broken on a recent flight.

[Sabrina Wolfe]

Thanks to everyone for all your questions this week. We've answered three of them in our next column. For easyJet's damaged goods, flying to the US and green flying, see our most recent Plane Talking column.