Expert names vital holiday items Brits always pack wrong when going abroad
You may consider yourself well-versed in baggage restrictions, but many Brits still make avoidable packing mistakes. These small but glaring mistakes can lead to longer airport security queues and - at worst - can lead would-be travellers from flying altogether.
Markus Lindblad from the tobacco-free nicotine product company, Northerner, has broken down the most common packing mistakes Brits are making in 2025 - including how they travel with vapes. Knowing these rules before you travel might save you time and trouble on your next journey.
Travelling with vapes
Markus' first flag is about carrying vapes on aeroplanes. While you are permitted to carry vapes onto a plane, they must be stored in your carry-on luggage, not your checked baggage.
Additionally, passengers are not permitted to use the vape while on an aeroplane. Vaping or smoking on a flight is illegal and could see you facing hefty fines and flight restrictions. Some fines can even reach up to £5000.
For those likely to crave nicotine mid-flight, Markus recommends carrying nicotine pouches. They are allowed both in carry-on and checked luggage and can be used safely on planes. Nicotine pouches are regulated in some countries however, so always make sure you dispose of them when you land if you're unsure of the local laws.
Bringing disposable vapes back into the UK is a slightly different story. While the sale of disposable vapes is banned in the UK, they are still perfectly legal in many countries, so Brits can purchase these devices while abroad.
Entering the UK with a disposable vape is only an offence if you intend to sell it, so as long as it's for personal use, then you're not breaking any laws according to Markus. If you're not returning to the UK and carrying disposable vapes elsewhere, check the banned items list for each country before re-packing your luggage, as some other countries have banned vapes.
Travelling with portable chargers
A global shift across worldwide airlines has seen rules tightened over the carrying of power banks onto flights.
Early in 2025, an incident that left three people injured on a major Asian airline led to a crackdown of portable power banks in checked baggage. After an Air Busan plane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport on January 28, the airline announced it would be enforcing stricter regulations around power banks.
According to Markus, the lithium-ion batteries commonly found inside power banks pose a fire risk to aircraft and confined cabin spaces if damaged. Most airlines allow portable chargers packed in your carry-on luggage, but not in checked luggage.
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways also prohibit the use of power banks to charge personal devices during a flight. Check the specific guidelines surrounding power banks before packing.
100ml liquid limit
While some UK airports including Gatwick, Birmingham and Newcastle no longer require passengers to remove liquids at security, the 100ml limit still applies. That said, medications and baby food are exempt from this 100ml restriction.
UK restrictions v foreign restrictions
Different countries may have completely different travel rules, which affects how you should pack. For example, Dubai has introduced new rules on medication, only allowing items in checked baggage. Whereas Mexico has a total ban on vapes, making packing them in your luggage illegal.
While the UK rules may be different, you do not want to get into trouble when you arrive at your holiday destination. Speak to a staff member at the airport check-in desk and seek their advice on what is and is not permissible.
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Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Exact dates UK airports will experience summer travel chaos – will you be affected?
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If travelling through the airport this summer holiday, you can keep liquids up to 100ml and electronic devices in your bags. The airport claims this will help more than 95 per cent of passengers get through security in less than five minutes. Over the summer the airport will serve 224 destinations via 59 airlines, including 160 short-haul flights with Malaga, Barcelona and Majorca being the most popular spots. Manchester Airport Manchester Airport is expecting August 22 to be the busiest day in terms of passenger numbers and the week commencing August 25 to be the busiest overall with 817,000 passengers. In comparison, the week starting August 4 will see around 797,000 passengers and the week starting August 18 will see around 812,000 passengers. Over the summer holidays, the airport expects to see on average 800,000 passengers a week. London Stanstead Airport For London Stansted Airport, they are expecting this summer to be its busiest yet. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying In total, the airport is anticipating up to 4.4million passengers to travel through the terminal during the summer holidays. On average, the airport anticipates that around 100,000 people will travel through the airport each day. As for the busiest day, that will be this weekend on Saturday August 3, with 107,000 people expected at the airport. The peak arrival day for the airport will be Sunday August 31, with 55,000 people expected to return to the UK. In total, between July 19 and August 31 the airport estimates it will welcome 2.2million departing passengers, with a similar number also arriving to the UK through the period. 5 Gatwick Airport is anticipating that Sunday August 3 and Sunday August 10 will be the busiest days Credit: Getty Birmingham Airport Birmingham Airport is expecting 2.1million passengers to travel through the airport across the six-week summer holidays. This will be a five per cent increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, if you are travelling through Birmingham Airport this summer you can now go through security with liquids in containers up to two litres. There is no limit to the number of two litre containers a passenger can carry and all liquids can be kept loose in hand luggage. Liverpool John Lennon Airport This year, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is expecting its busiest summer ever with over 720,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport over the summer holidays. This will be an eight per cent increase compared to the same period last year. And all passengers departing from Liverpool can leave their liquids and large electronic items such as laptops in their hand luggage. However, all liquids are still limited to 100ml. 5 In comparison, Manchester Airport is expecting August 22 to be the busiest day Credit: Getty East Midlands Airport Those travelling from East Midlands Airport will be happy to hear that the airport has already had its busiest week due to early school holidays locally. This took place in the week commencing July 14, where 118,000 passengers travelled through the airport. The airport's next busiest week is expected to be the week of August 18, when it is expecting 117,600 passengers. Passengers travelling via East Midlands Airport will also be able to leave electrical items and liquids in hand luggage, although the 100ml limit still applies. London Heathrow Airport Whilst a specific date for Heathrow's busiest day is not clear, this week is expected to be the airport's busiest across the summer. 5 A number of airport are also expecting this summer to be their best yet Credit: Getty Through summer the airport expects to see consistently high numbers of passengers, which will be over 250,000 people flying in and out of Heathrow every day. London Luton Airport London Luton Airport is expecting its peak day for departing passengers to be Sunday August 3. The airport also expressed that the most popular city break destinations include Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris. Bristol Airport The Independent also reports that August 15 and 22 are expected to be Bristol Airport's busiest days with around 40,000 travelling through the airport. Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. A major UK airport has also revealed a huge 15-year masterplan with new long-haul flights and millions more passengers. Plus, European airports are finally scrapping strict 100ml liquid rule after nearly 20 years.
The Sun
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Exact dates UK airports will experience summer travel chaos – will you be affected?
Plus, all you need to know about flight compensation HOL NO Exact dates UK airports will experience summer travel chaos – will you be affected? THE summer holidays are now underway, which means one thing - more people travelling. Each year airports across the UK prepare for busy summer seasons with hundreds of thousands of Brits heading off abroad - so we've rounded up all the dates you might run into problems at the airport. 5 Airports are expecting high passenger numbers across the summer period Credit: PA London Gatwick Airport If travelling from London Gatwick Airport, you can expect the busiest days to be Sunday, August 3 and Sunday, August 10. On each day 900 flights are scheduled. Passenger numbers are then expected to peak on Sunday, August 17. If travelling through the airport this summer holiday, you can keep liquids up to 100ml and electronic devices in your bags. The airport claims this will help more than 95 per cent of passengers get through security in less than five minutes. Over the summer the airport will serve 224 destinations via 59 airlines, including 160 short-haul flights with Malaga, Barcelona and Majorca being the most popular spots. Manchester Airport Manchester Airport is expecting August 22 to be the busiest day in terms of passenger numbers and the week commencing August 25 to be the busiest overall with 817,000 passengers. In comparison, the week starting August 4 will see around 797,000 passengers and the week starting August 18 will see around 812,000 passengers. Over the summer holidays, the airport expects to see on average 800,000 passengers a week. London Stanstead Airport For London Stansted Airport, they are expecting this summer to be its busiest yet. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying In total, the airport is anticipating up to 4.4million passengers to travel through the terminal during the summer holidays. On average, the airport anticipates that around 100,000 people will travel through the airport each day. As for the busiest day, that will be this weekend on Saturday August 3, with 107,000 people expected at the airport. The peak arrival day for the airport will be Sunday August 31, with 55,000 people expected to return to the UK. In total, between July 19 and August 31 the airport estimates it will welcome 2.2million departing passengers, with a similar number also arriving to the UK through the period. 5 Gatwick Airport is anticipating that Sunday August 3 and Sunday August 10 will be the busiest days Credit: Getty Birmingham Airport Birmingham Airport is expecting 2.1million passengers to travel through the airport across the six-week summer holidays. This will be a five per cent increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, if you are travelling through Birmingham Airport this summer you can now go through security with liquids in containers up to two litres. There is no limit to the number of two litre containers a passenger can carry and all liquids can be kept loose in hand luggage. Liverpool John Lennon Airport This year, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is expecting its busiest summer ever with over 720,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport over the summer holidays. This will be an eight per cent increase compared to the same period last year. And all passengers departing from Liverpool can leave their liquids and large electronic items such as laptops in their hand luggage. However, all liquids are still limited to 100ml. 5 In comparison, Manchester Airport is expecting August 22 to be the busiest day Credit: Getty East Midlands Airport Those travelling from East Midlands Airport will be happy to hear that the airport has already had its busiest week due to early school holidays locally. This took place in the week commencing July 14, where 118,000 passengers travelled through the airport. The airport's next busiest week is expected to be the week of August 18, when it is expecting 117,600 passengers. Passengers travelling via East Midlands Airport will also be able to leave electrical items and liquids in hand luggage, although the 100ml limit still applies. London Heathrow Airport Whilst a specific date for Heathrow's busiest day is not clear, this week is expected to be the airport's busiest across the summer. 5 A number of airport are also expecting this summer to be their best yet Credit: Getty Through summer the airport expects to see consistently high numbers of passengers, which will be over 250,000 people flying in and out of Heathrow every day. London Luton Airport London Luton Airport is expecting its peak day for departing passengers to be Sunday August 3. The airport also expressed that the most popular city break destinations include Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris. Bristol Airport The Independent also reports that August 15 and 22 are expected to be Bristol Airport's busiest days with around 40,000 travelling through the airport. Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. 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Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. A major UK airport has also revealed a huge 15-year masterplan with new long-haul flights and millions more passengers. Plus, European airports are finally scrapping strict 100ml liquid rule after nearly 20 years.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Once popular resort now 'completely dead' as Brits turn their backs amid protests
There are fears UK holidaymakers have been scared away by mounting anti-tourism sentiment There are claims a once-popular UK holiday hotspot is in crisis after widespread anti-tourism demonstrations have left formerly bustling resorts 'completely dead'. The Balearic island of Majorca has reportedly seen a decline in UK visitors who have been 'scared away'. Local business owners are now saying that summers of protests have taken their toll with British holidaymakers and other European visitors avoiding the island too as they now feel unwelcome. And it's having an effect on businesses, owners say. Miguel Perez-Marsa, the head of the nightlife association, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations." His comments come on the back of locals taking to the streets and beaches in the face of rising housing costs and the environmental toll of tourism. President of the College of Tour Guides, Pedro Oliver, said that bookings have seen a major decline, with excursion rates dropping by 20 percent this summer, reports The Express. And he said, far from it only being Brits that are steering clear, German and Italian visitors have also been put off. He said: "The anti-tourism messages are resonating. If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays." Another tour operator has also seen a drop in numbers this year. "Tourismphobia and the idea that tourists are not welcome are hurting us greatly," Biel Rosales, president of tour operator Proguies Turistics, said. The operator said they would typically offer around 30 excursions per cruise, but say this figure has fallen to 12-14. Official data from May shows that there was a 1.6 percent decrease in visitor numbers to Spain. While the decline in visitation is not isolated to Brits, the loss of their custom is reportedly having the largest impact. Biel Moragues, representing one of Majorca's taxi associations, said: "British tourists are the most upset by the protests and have changed their holiday destination." Lesley Johnson, 66, from Leicester, has lived in Majorca for more than 30 years. She told MailOnline: "This area used to have a lot of British bars and pubs, and they would hold quiz leagues and dance leagues. "Back then, if you went along this street at 7pm at night, you couldn't walk up, it would be full of tourists, but now it's completely dead. "A lot of the Germans and Brits - they've just gone home." While many believe that the protests are the sole course for the drop in tourism, some believe that traffic jams, increased prices and less disposable income may be contributing too. Jordi Mora, president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Majorca (Pinem), disagrees, however. He said his federation's latest report "pointed to a 5 percent growth compared to 12 percent last year".
