easyJet warning over passport rule that could see you banned from flight

A travel expert has explained the key things people need to check on their passports in the wake of a travel disaster involving a reality TV star.

Vicky Pattison, known for her stints on Geordie Shore and I'm A Celebrity, was in tears after being denied boarding by easyJet, who she dubbed the 'destroyer of dreams'. The star's weekend plans to scout out a wedding venue were dashed due to her passport's condition.

Pattison's passport had seen better days, having been partially chewed by her dog Milo. Despite travelling with it throughout the year without issue, this time it caused a snag.

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The distraught bride-to-be shared an image of the chewed document on social media, questioning: "This is what was wrong with my passport for everyone asking, in fairness, I don't know if that is really bad or not, I've just not had anyone ever tell me it was before. Cheeky little milo.", reports Bristol Live.

In response to the incident, an easyJet spokesperson extended their apologies. They said: "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. 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."

GOV.UK stated: "If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must cancel it before applying for a replacement. If your passport is damaged you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it." HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged for a variety of reasons.

These reasons can include you cannot read any of your details or any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing or there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover or ohe cover is coming away or there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage).

Advisors at Travelbag encouraged Brits to check the condition of their passports before jetting off on holiday in 2024, to prevent similar issues spoiling their plans. Here are five things to double-check before you travel.

What makes your passport 'damaged'?

Factors that can deem a passport as 'damaged' include:

• There’s damage or discolouration to any part of the passport caused by anything including water, ink, tears, rips or bite marks

• The perforated passport numbers have been torn

• The security details are unreadable

• If any pages are missing/loose

• The personal details or observation page is unreadable

• The laminate on the personal details page is peeling or lifting away

• The front, back or the personal details page of the passport has been cut or torn

• The personal details page is broken or cracked

• If the chip or antenna shows through the endpaper on the back cover of a burgundy passport or the personal details page of a blue passport

A representative from Travelbag said: "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."

Ensure your passport isn't expired:

Different nations have varying rules regarding passport expiration dates, and you could be refused entry to your destination if your passport doesn't have sufficient remaining validity. Some countries require at least three months remaining, while others demand as much as six.

Therefore, it's advisable to verify the specific requirements of each country before booking and travelling to ensure your passport is valid.

Check your passport issue date:

Since the UK has exited the EU, most EU countries no longer accept British passports that were issued over a decade ago. This is now referred to as the '10-year rule'. Ensure your passport wasn't issued more than 10 years prior to your travel date and if it's expired, apply for a new one well in advance.

Ensure you have enough pages in your passport:

The number of stamp pages can also pose a problem if you're a regular traveller. Each time you enter a new country, they will stamp your passport which can range from one to several pages depending on that country's regulations.

If you don't have enough pages, you could be denied entry. Therefore, it's crucial to apply for a new passport if you're nearing the end.

Check the passports of any children you're travelling with:

Another frequently overlooked issue is the validity of children's passports. Unlike adult passports which are valid for ten years, those for children expire after five years - a fact that parents can easily forget. It's advisable to check your children's passport expiry dates before you travel to reduce the risk of being denied entry to your holiday destination.

Detailed advice on how to replace or renew or passport as well as the portal to apply can be found on the GOV.UK website.

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