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It is your responsibility to have all the right travel documents - like passport, visa, medical certificate, return ticket. Check on all these, well before departure day.
Passports and Visas
Ask the travel agent or airline supplying your ticket about the travel documents you will need and, if necessary, for visa application forms. For a flight abroad, including other countries in the European Community, you will certainly need a valid passport. If you do not have the right documents, you could be barred from getting on the plane or flown straight back after landing. In either case, you will not be entitled to a refund from the airline. For many countries outside the European Community you will also need a visa and possibly inoculation certificates.
For further information on UK passports visit the UK Passport Service website at www.ukpa.gov.uk
New rules for passengers flying to Spain:
The Spanish Government have introduced new requirements that airlines have to provide personal information (Advance Passenger Information API) about their passengers to the Spanish authorities before an aircraft departs the UK.
Advance Passenger Information (API) is the the information contained on the photograph page of your passport - full name, date and place of birth, nationality and passport number.
The data will be collected at the airport upon check-in or some airlines have made arrangements to collect your data in advance via a special web site - Please check with your airline or tour operator for full details.
Jet2.com passengers can click here for further information www.jet2.com
If you are travelling to Spain you are advised to allow extra time to check-in for your flight.
Click here for more details www.dft.gov.uk
Travel Insurance
Insurance is available at the airport right up to your departure at one of the Travelex bureau's. Make sure that you and your luggage will be adequately insured while you are travelling. If you have booked on a package, you will probably be required to take out the insurance offered by the tour operator or prove that you have arranged similar cover yourself. It can pay to shop around because the cost and the cover can vary enormously. Ask insurance companies, an insurance broker or travel agents for details - and do not necessarily take the first one you are offered. It you pay for your ticket by credit card or charge card, you may get travel insurance automatically - but it could be very limited. Check what is covered, and the amount, with the card company.
Currency
Currency is available at the airport from Travelex. They stock a wide range of currency and also offer travellers cheques both at very competitive commission rates. You can pre-order your foreign currency and travellers cheques online*, COMMISSION FREE and collect it at the airport before you fly. Click here to order online*.
When purchasing your currency or currency travellers cheques you can also take advantage of 'Buy Back Plus' which will secure the value of your currency so that you don't lose out when you return from your trip. For only £3.50 'Buy Back Plus' means that Travelex will buy back your left over currency or currency currency travellers cheques commission free and at the rate you bought it.
*Please note: Currency must be ordered between 60 days and 48 hours in advance of the collection date. Commision is applicable on Sterling travellers cheque transactions. The commission free offer is only available on foreign exchange transactions (foreign currency notes and foreign currency travellers cheques). There is a maximum total order of £2,500 (excl. charges).
Your Health
If you have any concerns about your fitness to fly, talk to your doctor before making your travel arrangements. When you book, check whether there are any health regulations for visitors to the country you are flying to, or at any stopover points. Ask the travel agent or tour operator, the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you are visiting, or your doctor. Think carefully about health insurance before you leave the UK. If you need medical or dental treatment or a prescription while abroad, you will usually have to pay for it in full on the spot. Even if you can reclaim some or all of it afterwards under the EC scheme, this will not cover the cost of flying home in the event of sickness or death.
Your Luggage
Your airline or tour operator will tell you how much luggage you can take free of charge, what you can keep with you while on board the plane, and what you are not allowed to pack at all. Click here for current restrictions implemented by the Department for Transport.
Here are a few other tips:
Luggage Allowances: If your luggage is over-weight or over-large or you have too many pieces, the charges can be very high. Alternatively, the airline could insist that you leave some of it behind. If you are taking a series of flights - for instance, across the Atlantic and then between American cities - find out about the luggage allowance for the later journeys. It may be less than for the first flight.
Luggage during the flight: Keep your hand luggage small and light - it will have to go under the seat in front of you or in an overhead locker or if it is too big, you may not be allowed to keep it with you during the flight.
Click here for current regulations & restrictions on hand luggage.
When you check in, the rest of your luggage will go to the plane's cargo hold. Do not pack in hold luggage any cash, valuables, medication, important doucment or fragile or perishable items. If in doubt. ask the airline beforehand.
Think about what you pack. For security reasons, your luggage will be X-rayed and if it contains electrical equipment, it may also have to be searched by hand. If you are taking anything electrical, smaller items such as a hairdryer or shaver should be packed into your suitcase. For larger items such as stereos, you will need to check with your airline or handling agent. |
