Some airlines are imposing tough rules on passengers flying with Christmas crackers this year and travellers hoping to get away with a box of these festive faves in their luggage, should check ahead.

Award winning airport parking specialist Airport Parking & Hotels (APH.com) is helping festive flyers avoid disappointment at the airport with a Christmas Cracker Flying Guide. Available at www.aph.com/crackers the guide offers a breakdown of the airline and airport packing policies, as well as a handy infographic showing which airlines have put the festive essentials on the naughty list and which ones accept them onboard.

APH found 22 airlines including Ryanair, Etihad, Emirates and Norwegian Airlines have all completely banned passengers from flying with Christmas crackers this year and only 12 airlines are permitting travellers to pack them in their luggage.

Of the 12 airlines accepting Christmas crackers including British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic, passengers should check the packing rules as this also varies between airlines. For example, British Airways, easyJet, Qantas and Qatar all allow two boxes to be carried in checked luggage as long as packed in the original, sealed packing. Eastern Airways, South African Airlines and Virgin Atlantic on the other hand only allow passengers to take one box in checked luggage and in its original packaging and Jet2 state passengers can take 12 small or six large crackers in its original packaging. easyJet was found to be the only airline allowing passengers to take Christmas crackers in hand luggage however as it’s likely to be confiscated at airport security, APH suggests packing in checked luggage to be safe.

In addition to the airline policies, airports also have their own set of rules for carrying Christmas crackers. Gatwick Airport allows travellers to take one unopened box of crackers in hand luggage, whereas Manchester have banned them from hand luggage completely. Stansted, Liverpool, East Midlands and London City Airports have also banned crackers from the cabin, and travellers need to pack these in checked luggage only. Travellers should also be careful if flying to the US as crackers are completely banned from both checked luggage and carry-on bags due to being considered a ‘flammable product’.

Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) said, “The Christmas season is a busy and popular time for flying abroad to see friends and family, and many passengers will be travelling with festive essentials such as Christmas crackers. The airport and airline rules vary greatly, so we hope the APH guide including useful packing tips will help savvy travellers plan ahead and pack accordingly to avoid disappointment at the airport.”