TUI changes luggage rules because Brits keep packing tea bags for holidays

23 February 2024 , 11:43

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TUI is changing its luggage rules (Image: Getty Images)

TUI is updating its luggage rules after a survey found a large number of British travellers cannot face going away without a healthy supply of teabags.

According to the study by the holiday firm, a third of travellers won't leave home without their slippers, and one in five bring their own pillow. Meanwhile 16% of people can't go without ketchup or sliced bread, and an additional 12% won't travel unless they have their favourite cereal and squash.

Almost half of UK holidaymakers pack teabags to take with them when they go on holiday. The average Brit starts packing five days before their time away, with a quarter admitting they they overpack "just in case". Surprisingly, one in ten have managed to pack their kettle and childhood teddy, along with Pot Noodles, stock cubes, their favourite blanket, a picture of their pet, and even their favourite mug.

TUI is currently running a promotion for certain customers which allows them to pack a little more when they head away, just in case they feel the need to bring half of their home comforts on holiday with them. All TUI Airways customers will now be entitled to a 20kg bag when they fly with their firm, with that increasing to 25kg for those staying at TUI BLUE, Holiday Village and A La Carte hotels.

Do you pack anything unusual with you when you go on holiday? Let us know in the comments below.

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Sometimes a continental cuppa simply won't cut it (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The new luggage allowance is available to everyone who booked on or after December 21 for holidays after May 1. Couples who’ve booked one of TUI's wedding packages will also get 25kg hold luggage each when flying with TUI Airways.

The package holiday specialist also lets customers take one piece of hand luggage per person (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg and with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm on a TUI Airways flight. The only requirement aside from this is that you must be able to lift your hand luggage into the overhead storage compartments yourself.

In addition to the piece of hand luggage you can also bring one small personal item, things like laptops, handbags or a briefcase and this must be small enough to be stored under the seat. All of the airline's luggage details can be found on its website.

Phillip Iveson, commercial director of TUI, said: "This research shows just how much Brits love to take home comforts on holiday with them. That's why we've decided to increase our luggage allowance for TUI Airways to 20kg as standard, and add an extra 5kg for guests staying at TUI BLUE, Holiday Village and A La Carte hotels.

"With all that extra weight to play around with, guests will have plenty of room to take along photos of their pets, a hearty number of teabags, and even a loaf or two of sliced bread."

Top items Brits pack for holidays

1. Tea bags 49%
2. Coffee 38%
3. Slippers 34%
4. Cotton buds 28%
5. An extra toothbrush 27%
6. Extra tubes of toothpaste 25%
7. Their own pillow 22%
8. Umbrella 20%
9. Travel iron 20%
10. Emergency sewing kit 20%
11. Ketchup 16%
12. Sliced bread 15%
13. A collection of their favourite books 13%
14. Their favourite cereal 12%
15. Their favourite squash 11%
16. Pot Noodles 10%
17. Their childhood teddy bear 10%
18. A hot water bottle 10%
19. Their journal 10%
20. Cheese and onion crisps 10%
21. Kettle 10%
22. Cheddar cheese 9%
23. Salt and vinegar crisps 9%
24. Rich tea biscuits 9%
25. Salt and pepper 8%
26. Yeast spread 8%
27. Stock cubes 8%
28. Pictures of their friends and family 8%
29. Their favourite blanket 7%
30. Chilli powder/hot sauce 7%
31. A picture of their pet 7%
32. Brown sauce 7%
33. Marmalade 6%
34. Their favourite mug 6%
35. Tinned soup 5%

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Neil Shaw