New air safety guidance for UK travellers

In this day and age few issues prey on the public psyche as much as air transport safety. Most of us admit to feeling just a little anxious before jetting off to the sun, which is why the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) constantly reviews and updates its passenger advice.

As part of that commitment, the industry group has just issued a brand new Travelling Safely leaflet. Much of the guidance centres on which items can and cannot taken on-board an aircraft, but the pamphlet also includes a wealth of additional information on cabin safety issues.

By following the CAA advice outlined in this guide, travellers can ensure their trip is as safe and stress-free as possible. Nervous flyers should also find it reassuring to see how much effort is directed towards preserving air travel's reputation as the safest mode of transport.

Click here for the CAA's new Travelling Safely leaflet

Knowing which items are prohibited on-board should be your top priority. Some of the restrictions are commonsense – such as the bans on explosives and flammables – but many other seemingly innocuous items like hair curlers and scissors are also forbidden.

One common source of confusion relates to restrictions on liquids. For toiletries such as deodorants and aftershaves, passengers are only allowed to bring containers of up to 100ml in their carry-on luggage. Restrictions on checked-in items are less stringent, however, permitting containers measuring up to 500ml, with a maximum personal allowance of 2 litres.

Individual passengers may also fly with up to 5 litres of spirits, though once again if they wish to carry them in their hand luggage containers are limited to 100ml. Safety matches and individual lighters are only allowed on your person – not in checked or hand luggage.

Once you're up-to-speed with the latest baggage restrictions, take a moment to reflect on how you conduct yourself mid-flight. Your cabin crew's main duty is to ensure passenger safety on-board the aircraft, so complying with their instructions is paramount. Ignoring requests by a crew member or directing abusive language at them is a criminal offence.

It is also against the law to be intoxicated on an airplane. While many of us kick-start our holidays with a drink or two, the CAA guidelines unequivocally state: "Passengers who are drunk can expect to be met by the police on arrival." Indulging in a tipple mid-flight is especially risky as altitude heightens the effect of alcohol, so the advice is to either drink in moderation, or not at all.

One final pitfall relates to mobile phone usage. The waters were muddied somewhat by recent EU legislation, so chatterboxes are urged to check with their airline. Unless the carrier explicitly states otherwise, telephones should be turned off or kept in flight-mode at all times. Electrical devices must also be switched off during taxi, take-off and landing.

Apart from that, all you have to worry about is paying attention to the safety briefing; keeping your seatbelt fastened and visible; and having a fantastic time abroad.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

[Susan Pickering]

I cannot find information to determine whether I can take my eyebrow tweezers in my hand luggage. Will you tell me please? Sue P.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Susan,

The DirectGov website provides an extensive list of dangerous items which are banned in aircraft cabins, and eyebrow tweezers are not mentioned.

You should therefore be allowed to carry them in your hand luggage, though as the final decision rests with airport security it may just be wiser to pack them in your checked luggage.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team