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Packing for the holiday season is rarely without its challenges. Once you’ve artfully wrapped your gifts and strategically stuffed that special bottle of Barolo into a pair of socks (trust us, it works), there’s a whole host of festive items to think of that won’t even make it past airport security. And for many, the travel season just got a little more stressful as one hard-to-pack item has also landed on airlines' no-fly lists: the British Christmas cracker.
As the Independent reports, Christmas crackers have been banned by several airlines over the years, with Etihad, Norwegian Airlines, and Emirates also doing so in light of heightened security measures this year. While many in the U.S. likely haven’t heard of the ubiquitous cracker (and no, it is not edible), if you hail from the U.K., Ireland or a Commonwealth country like Australia or Canada, you'll most likely know Christmas crackers as an essential part of the holiday experience—as authentic as hot mugs of eggnog and presents under the tree.
Made from a large cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper, traditional crackers vaguely resemble an oversized-candy wrapper, and date back to the Victorian era. Today, you’ll find them sold everywhere from high-end department stores like London’s Fortnum & Mason, to Christmas markets across the U.K. Come Christmas dinner on December 25, they are laid out next to the silverware and, at the end of the meal, you’re expected to pull it apart with your neighbor to retrieve its contents (usually a small toy, a questionable joke, and a paper hat). The result? An explosive bang caused by a tiny amount of gunpowder lining the inside. It’s no surprise, then, that the beloved Christmas cracker has been deemed a security risk when it comes to air travel these days.
Some airlines have long prohibited crackers from both carry-ons and checked luggage, and to help travelers sift through the small print, U.K.-based company Airport Parking & Hotels Ltd (APH) has provided the Independent with an full list of the airlines—handy to consult before setting off to the airport. In addition to Etihad, Norwegian Airlines, and Emirates, others that have cracked down on the festive treat include Air France, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and KLM.
Some carriers—like British Airways—do permit them, but with strict instructions as to how to transport them, so make sure to do your research before setting off. “Packing crackers in particular is a bit of minefield, with airlines and airports having their own, sometimes conflicting restrictions,” Nick Caunter, Managing Director of APH, told the Independent. “If you do decide to bring crackers with you when flying, the best thing to do is pack them in checked luggage and avoid having them in hand luggage...it’s really important you tell check-in staff you’ve packed them in your checked luggage.” Planning to fly out of the U.S. with a box of crackers in your suitcase on British Airways? Think again: According to the TSA website, Christmas crackers are banned at airports nationwide.
Of course, reading up on what you can and cannot pack is a good rule of thumb regardless of what time of year you’re traveling. And if you’re off to Europe this holiday season, make sure you know what you can bring back into the U.S., too—otherwise you’ll be bidding farewell to your favorite French cheese at customs.