Travel experts have issued a warning to Brits to check their passport is in the correct condition before boarding a flight, as seemingly minor errors could see you prevented from travelling
Holidaymakers could be gutted to miss their flights due to common blunders that land them on the no-fly list, and travel gurus are now offering advice to keep your travel plans smooth.
Specialists at Travelbag are prompting UK jet-setters to ensure their passports are in tip-top shape before taking off, as seemingly trivial defects could spell travel disaster.
The advice is especially timely following the debacle involving reality star Vicky Pattinson who was stopped from boarding her easyJet flight because of her damaged passport. Vicky, from Geordie Shore fame and a notable TV presenter, was en-route to scope out a wedding location when she faced the denial due to her passport being gnawed by her pooch, Milo.
Disheartened, she vented on social media to her legion of followers, saying: “I’ve been travelling with my passport all year and no one’s said anything, but it’s definitely well travelled to be fair. Company policy is company policy and I get it, I’m just beyond gutted you know?”
To avoid such heartache, Travelbag suggests a thorough passport inspection well ahead of your holiday, providing a detailed checklist of issues that can invalidate your important travel document.
A Travelbag spokesperson urgently advised: “If your passport has been damaged by any of the above issues you need to replace your passport immediately before travelling. You may think the damage is minor, but due to the way passports are made securely for security and safety there may be more damage than you think which can lead to being refused travel.
“For peace of mind, it’s recommended to keep your passport well hidden and out of sight so it can stay as pristine as possible so you don’t run into any of these issues when travelling.”
They also highlighted other crucial checks travellers must make, noting that rules on expiry dates vary by destination, with many countries insisting on at least six months validity from the departure date. It’s vital to verify expiry and issue dates well in advance of setting off, particularly since UK passports issued over 10 years ago might no longer be acknowledged post-Brexit because of the ’10-year rule’.
If that applies to you, a new application could be necessary. Although no longer issued since the UK officially left the European Union in 2020,`burgundy passports many Brits still have are currently valid for travel in 2025 provided they are in date. If your passport is burgundy, it is well worth checking that it will be valid when you are planning to travel.
Many countries however require at least six months’ validity left before entering. Some Brits venturing to EU countries such as Spain or the Netherlands may be unaware that your passport needs to have been issued within the last 10 before the departure date.
For jet-setters and globetrotters, it is essential to ensure your passport has plenty of stamp-free pages ahead of your travel spree. Those with well-travelled passports sporting a collection of international stamps must check for ample blank space before jetting off, as countries vary with their stamping enthusiasm, and fall short, and you might just face entry denial at your dream destination.
Parents should also be vigilant with their children’s passports – these mini-me documents need renewing every five years, not ten like an adult’s.
An easyJet spokesperson sympathised with reality star Vicky Pattison’s recent travel woes, saying: “We are sorry for Ms Pattison’s experience and the inconvenience caused. At easyJet, we work closely with the authorities and comply with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff.”
They added a firm reminder: “As such, we cannot allow any passenger to travel on their planned flight with documentation damaged to such a degree that its authenticity is brought into question. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have suitable documentation for travel.”