Flight attendant warns Brits not to bring nail polish and booze on flights

07 August 2023 , 16:31

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Flight attendants don't like passengers drinking their own alcohol (Image: Getty Images)

A flight attendant has shared the item passengers should never bring with them on a plane. Lisa Kulpa, co-founder of the Basic Travel Couple blog as well as a member of the cabin crew of a major airline, has warned against passengers bringing their own alcohol aboard a flight. The reason isn't so that the airline can flog more of the own booze, but for safety reasons.

"Please, please, please do not bring personal alcohol and consume it during the flight. We need to know (for your safety and those around you) if you are intoxicated," she told the Points Guy. "By serving you alcohol in flight, we can monitor how much you are drinking. Alcohol affects you differently at higher altitudes, and if you are suddenly passed out or something goes wrong, we won't know the reason."

Passengers should stick to drinking alcohol they buy onboard (Getty Images/EyeEm)

As well as potentially causing flight attendants some issues - particularly if you go really overboard with the drink - it could land you on hot water if you're flying in the wrong country. In the US consuming personal alcohol on a flight can lead to a hefty fine. Lisa noted that it's a federal offence in the US that could be met with a fine stretching into the thousands of pounds.

In the UK you can also bring alcohol onboard the plane as long as it was bought in the airside departure lounge, it is unopened and it is lower than 70% ABV. It must also be packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag. Passengers are forbidden from drinking any booze when flying, unless it was bought onboard.

It's also worth noting that there are fines and other penalties for passengers in the UK who are drunk or cause a nuisance. Lisa offered some more advice for holidaymakers before they pack their hand luggage and head to the airport, advising passengers to take care of their manicures and pedicures at home.

'I stopped drinking booze on dates and it made life much more exciting'

Lisa added: "Other things to not do or bring in flight - nail clippers, nail polish, nail polish remover. These products will make the whole plane smell, and some people get sick from it. Other smelly things that are not really wanted include any extremely fragrant food. Even fast food sometimes stinks up a plane."

She also said it's imperative to bring anything you "wouldn't want to lose or can't replace easily" in your hand luggage rather than checked bags. This may include medication, car keys or electronics, among other personal items.

Lisa added: "If you check your bag, be sure to pack a change of clothes and a toothbrush to bring on board with you." The aviation pro also recommended bringing flip-flops onboard for extra comfort and a large woolly jumper, as planes are often colder than you'd expect.

Milo Boyd