Christmas crackers are a key part of the festive dinner, but if you're heading abroad in coming weeks, you won't be allowed to take them on most flights.
That's because they're banned completely by a number of airlines operating through the UK, while others have strict rules.
Unfortunately for most of the rest of the world, Christmas crackers are essentially non-existent beyond the shores of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Given how fun the Victorian invention is and how much it enhances the Christmas dinner table, it's understandable that Brits would want to bring a box home with them.
Before you head to the airport this festive season with a 12-pack of festive discharges in your bag, make sure you know which airlines do and don't allow crackers.
According to a recent piece of festive research, the following airlines have outright bans:
- Aer Lingus
- Air France
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Iceland Air
- KLM
- Norwegian
- Ryanair
- SAS
- Singapore Airlines
- United Airlines
- WestJet
- Wow
Other airlines ban crackers in the cabin, but greenlight their transportation in the hold.
They are:
- British Airways (Two boxes sealed in original packing)
- Eastern Airways (One box sealed in original packaging.
- Flybe (One box of 12 sealed in original packing
- Qantas (Two boxes sealed in original packing)
- South African Airlines (One box of 12 sealed in original packing
- TUI (Sealed in original packing)
- Virgin Atlantic (One box sealed in original packaging.
The only airline which allows crackers in the cabin and hold is easyJet, which also permits two boxes in original packaging.
However, "fireworks and pyrotechnics" cannot be brought through airport security in the UK, meaning crackers may be taken from you.
It was announced last week that such security is about to have a major overhaul.
Soon people travelling through UK airports will not have such a strict limit on the quantity of liquids they can bring onto planes.
In what is turning out to be a bad week for the miniature cosmetic industry, the move comes as the EU announces a ban on hotels giving out free mini shampoos and soaps.
From June 2024 the 100ml limit on liquids in cabin luggage will be lifted.
However, it's worth noting that other hand luggage rules will remain in place.
Items that will still be banned - as they are now - will include corkscrews, knives, scissors longer than 6cm, non-safety matches, more than one lighter, fireworks and flares.
We've compiled a full list of what you currently can't and won't be able to take onboard a plane even after the rule change.
