As the summer break draws to a close, thousands of UK families are taking advantage of the remaining time by jetting off to popular holiday destinations.
While most holidays will go off without a hitch, the increased number of holidaymakers crowding into UK airports can sometimes result in tensions running high in the stressful airport environment. Disruptions can be caused by a range of issues, from excessive drinking to carrying luggage that’s deemed unsafe.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued a warning that unruly passenger behaviour is a leading cause for aircraft diversions, which can cost up to £80,000. While every airline reserves the right to refuse carriage to passengers, the specific rules vary between companies.
We’ve put together a list of passenger rules for some of the UK’s most popular airlines, some of which could see you banned for life if you break them. One airline alone has 43 rules which could see you face a ban.
Jet2
This popular airline runs an ‘on board together’ campaign emphasising their zero-tolerance approach towards anyone who “threatens the safety, comfort and wellbeing of customers and colleagues.” The airline outlines eight things passengers must avoid, including being intoxicated onboard, obstructing the crew, and failing to possess the correct documents.
Jet2 has issued a stern warning to passengers, stating that if they break any of the airline’s rules, they could face prosecution or be charged for any disruption caused. One particular rule highlights that if Jet2 has to divert the aircraft to offload a disruptive passenger, that individual may have to foot the bill.
“You must pay to us all costs and expenses which we incur of any nature whatsoever as a result of or arising out of that diversion” the airline warned. The company also outlined reasons why they might refuse to carry passengers.
In addition, Jet2 provided specific guidance on luggage, cautioning that they can refuse to transport you if “the physical condition of your baggage is such as to require our additional assistance”, which could “involve any hazard or risk to yourself or other persons or to property.”
TUI
On the other hand, holiday giant TUI has 43 rules under its conditions of carriage rule book, detailing how they can enforce customer banning orders and lifetime customer banning orders. They cautioned that if anyone with a banning order attempts to book a TUI flight, they will cancel the booking and refund the money.
Like Jet2 and other major airlines, TUI has strict regulations regarding luggage, passenger behaviour, and staff abuse. The company stated that they reserve the right to refuse to transport anyone who violates these rules.
Some of the behaviours that can lead to a ban from a TUI flight include:
If carrying you or your baggage may put the safety or security of the aircraft, its crew, or other passengers in danger
If carrying you or your baggage may significantly affect the experience of any person in the aircraft
If you present yourself for travel whilst being – perceived or otherwise – under the influence of controlled substances (including, but not exclusive to alcohol, narcotics, or other medicinal products) which may influence judgement, behaviours, or actions whilst onboard.
easyJet has a whopping 22 rules under its conditions of carriage rulebook that give them the power to prevent a passenger from boarding or even remove them after they’ve boarded if they “reasonably believe” the individual could cause disruption. The airline states, “we may refuse to carry you and/or your baggage, or remove you from a flight if you have already boarded, without any liability on our part” if they reasonably suspect passengers will be disruptive.
Here are just a few reasons easyJet provides:
You or your baggage may put the safety of the aircraft or the health or safety of any person in the aircraft or airport in danger or at risk;
You are drunk or under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the airport or on board;
You have smoked or attempted to smoke in the airport (other than in permitted areas) or on board;
You are in unlawful possession of drugs;
Your mental or physical state is a danger or risk to yourself, the aircraft or any other person on it;
You have caused harm to, injured, or used threatening, abusive, insulting, discriminatory, obscene or lewd language or behaviour towards a member of our staff, Ground Crew or any Passengers
You have made a bomb threat or other security threat
The full list of reasons can be found on the easyJet website.