Full list of passport issues that could get you barred from flights
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. George Shore's Vicky Pattison was barred from flying at the weekend due to the state of her passport.
She was left in tears and blasted easyJet as 'destroyer of dreams' after she was banned from catching a flight. The Celebrity Masterchef and Geordie Shore star had been due to see a potential wedding venue.
However the plan went all wrong when she was barred from getting on the plane because her passport had been partially chewed by her dog. She said: "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??"
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Sharing a photo of the damage, she added, "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."
A spokesperson from easyJet 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."
Experts at Travelbag urged Brits to check if their passports are in good condition to fly, to stop travellers from running into the same issues when heading on their holidays in 2024
How to know if your passport is damaged
A passport can be deemed 'damaged' if:
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 spokesperson 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."
Four additional things to check on your passport before you travel
Check your expiry date
Different countries have different rules when it comes to expiration dates and you could be denied entry to your destination if you don't have enough time left on your passport. Some countries need 3 months at least left, while others need as much as six. So it's best to check the individual country's requirements before you book and travel to ensure you can make sure your passport is correctly in date.
Check your passport issue date
Now the UK has left the EU, the majority of EU countries no longer accept British passports that were issued more than 10 years ago. This is now known as the '10-year rule'. Make sure your passport wasn't issued more than 10 years before your date of travel and if it's outdated, order a new one in plenty of time.
Ensure you have enough pages in your passport
The number of stamp pages can also be an issue if you're a frequent traveller. Each time you enter a new country they will stamp your passport which can vary from one to consecutive pages depending on that country's rules. If you don't have enough pages left you could be refused entry so it's important to order a new passport if you're close to running out.
Check the passports of any children you're travelling with
Another commonly missed issue is the validity of children's passports. They expire after five years compared to ten years for adults (16 years and older) which is easy for parents to forget. Check your children's expiry dates before you travel to minimise the chances of being refused entry to your holiday.
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