Holiday makers and travellers boarding flights to USA from UK now face delays, body searches and being confined to their seats for the last hour of their flight under new air travel restrictions introduced after the failed attempt to blow up a plane destined for Detroit on Christmas Day.

Aviation security experts an both sides of the Atlantic are now questioning both the relevance, and use, of advance passenger information that must be provided before any passengers are allowed to board flights to the USA. As in this, seemingly obvious, case there was no suspicion aroused. Hence the new airport luggage regulations and security screening processes have been quickly introduced.

The new airport security checks and restrictions are as follows:

• All passengers on flights to the US will be subjected to a body search by UK airport security.

• The new carry on luggage restrictions mean that passengers are only allowed one piece of airline hand luggage on any flights to the USA. Carry-on hand luggage will be restricted to one item, no heavier than 6kg. This will be inspected as part of the airport screening and security searches but there will also be an additional hand baggage inspection at the boarding gate.

• All passengers will be confined to their seats for one hour before landing, meaning that they are unable to use toilets or access their hand luggage in the overhead lockers. They are also banned from covering themselves with blankets for the hour before landing.

• In-flight displays are to be censored by removing the “flight map”. However, some airlines cannot do this and have had to ban all in-flight entertainment during flights across the Atlantic.

These airport luggage regulations and additional security screening checks only apply to US flights, non-US flights remain unaffected for the moment.

BAA, which operates Heathrow and other airports around the country, have advised passengers flying to the US to leave more time to check in and to limit the contents of their hand luggage.

Ryanair has launched a £99/€99 one way rescue fare (including taxes and charges) for Eurostar passengers stranded in London and Paris.

Although Eurostar are struggling to try and transport the thousands of passengers stranded by the recent breakdowns, Ryanair will operate special flights between London and Paris on 23rd December to help passengers return home for Christmas.

The Eurostar rescue flights will operate between London (Stansted) and Paris (Beauvais) airports and can be booked via www.ryanair.com.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said “Seats are limited so passengers should book as soon as possible as these seats are likely to be snapped up”.

Always remember that in order to avoid additional charges on Ryanair you should check in online and print your boarding pass to take with you to the airport. To avoid paying additional charges for  putting baggage in the hold ensure that all of your travel size toiletries are less than 100ml so that your hand luggage will pass through the airport security checks for carry on luggage.

Our Christmas Discount Perfume Sale is now on until Monday 21st December. Order your favourite fragrance for him or her before Monday and it should arrive in time for Christmas with Royal Mail First Class delivery.

We have some fantastic bargains from our already discounted ranges of mens fragrance and womens fragrance. These special offer Christmas discounts will only be available until Monday 21st December so get them while you can:

Agent Provocateur Maitresse EDP 25ml (Purse Size) – £23.99
Burberry Brit Women EDT 50ml – £19.99
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste EDT 40ml – £24.99
Calvin Klein ckin2u Him EDT 50ml – £20.99
Calvin Klein Obsession for Men EDT 30ml – £18.49
Davidoff Cool Water Woman EDT 30ml – £19.99
Elizabeth Arden Red Door EDT Spray (25ml) – £13.99
Emporio Armani He EDT 30ml – £20.99
Escada Ocean Lounge EDT 50ml – £25.99
Hugo Boss Deep Red EDP 30ml – £23.99
Hugo Boss Deep Red EDP 50ml – £28.99
Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps EDT 50ml – £22.99
Paul Smith Extreme for Women EDT 50ml – £20.99
Tommy Hilfiger True Star EDP 30ml – £18.99

These are just a few, but there are a whole lot more of discount perfumes from both our travel size and travel size mini ranges of fragrances for both men and women.

So what are you waiting for? Visit our travel size toiletries shop and get a Christmas bargain NOW!

The High Court have just ruled that the 12 days of strikes called by the Unite union cannot go ahead.

The decision comes as a welcome relief for the million or so people who were set to have their Christmas travel plans ruined by such a lengthy strike.

Unite have condemned the ruling and say that they will hold a fresh ballot and seek support for a further strike. However, given the timescales involved it is unlikely that they will be able to disrupt the Christmas period.

British Airways have announced that they are to take legal action and try to prevent the cabin crew strikes set to begin on 22nd December.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said “We do not want to see a million Christmases ruined”.

“Irregularities” had been highlighted by BA in the strike ballot which it believes makes the outcome of the vote invalid, including sending ballot papers to staff who had already left or were in the process of leaving the airline’s employment, and therefore should not have been balloted.

BA said it hoped the legal action would “protect customers from the massive stress and disruption” threatened by the 12-day stoppage.

British Airways staff have voted for a series of strikes over the next 2 weeks hitting thousands of Christmas flights and New Year flights. This will affect hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and people flying home to be with their families and loved ones for Christmas and the New Year.

BA have expressed their “urgent need to reduce costs” as the airline industry continues to perform badly. The company reported a pre tax loss of £292m for the six months to the end of September and the trustees of its two pension schemes have just announced that there is a combined deficit of £3.7bn.

Last month, BA announced plans to cut a further 1,700 jobs, in addition to cutting the numbers of cabin crew on long-haul flights and freezing staff pay for two years. BA cabin crew are still said to be the best paid in Britain, with an average salary of £29,000 compared with £14,000 at Virgin Atlantic.

However, the Unite union has condemned the move and balloted its 12,500 cabin crew members in support of industrial action as part of the dispute over job losses and changes to working practices. The strikes will run from 22nd December until 2nd January.

The industrial action and disruption will be hugely damaging for British Airways in terms of both reputation and finances as it continues to struggle and lose money.

Ultimately the action could drive more and more customers into the arms of the budget airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair who will no doubt capitalise on the malaise suffered by BA.

However, when flying with the budget airlines be aware of the additional charges for placing baggage in the hold. In order to avoid these charges ensure that your travel size toiletries are all under 100ml so that they will pass through the airport security checks.

The perfect Christmas stocking filler – now on SALE at £7.99

Travalo is a new pocket sized refillable travel perfume atomiser spray, so you can take your favourite fragrance with you wherever you go.

Travalo perfume atomiser is also eco friendly to the planet as 98% of all the parts can be recycled, and it comes in a range of classic colours to suit both men and women: Bold Gold, Sleek Silver and Perfect Pink.

Made from extremely durable and light, recyclable aircraft grade aluminium, and with no glass in it at all, the travel size refillable Travalo perfume atomiser will withstand numerous drops and without any risk of costly spillages, unlike full sized traditional glass perfume bottles. A lifetime warranty is included from Travalo, so it’s guaranteed to last.

Travalo travel size perfume atomiser is completely safe to use on board flights as it copes with the varying air pressures, and can go into hassle-free into hand luggage at airport security.

Keeps you fresh when travelling, in the gym, or in fact wherever you go! Get one today before they’re gone!

Bobbi Brown has announced it is adding two new cosmetics sets to their range, a Hydrating Eye Set and a limited edition set of Shimmer Bricks.

Bobbi Brown say that the Hydrating Eye Set provides perfect everyday skin care either at home or when traveling on business or on holiday.

It includes a best-selling full size Bobbi Brown hydrating eye cream, plus complimentary travel size samples of intensive skin supplement, hydrating face cream and lathering tube soap.

Bobbi Brown Eye Set

Their limited edition trio of Shimmer Bricks come in three fantastic shades of plum, nectar and sandstone. The travel sized shimmer bricks come in a luxury metal compact, contained in a protective velvet pouch.

If you are still puzzling over what to get the man who has everything, here are our 5 top tips for Christmas gift ideas for men:

1. Calvin Klein Obsession for Men EDT 30ml
Calvin Klein Obsession for Men is the pure essence of masculinity. With a compelling blend of botanicals, spices and rare woods this is a classic fragrance for men that is provocative and potent.

2. Davidoff Silver Shadow Mens Travel Kit / Toilet Bag Set
Davidoff Silver Shadow Mens Travel Kit contains a Silver Shadow mens 50ml EDT spray with a 75ml after shave balm in a leather look embossed limited edition toiletries bag. A perfect Christmas present.

3. Emporio Armani He EDT 30ml
Emporio Armani He EDT fragrance for men is designed for the man that likes to make an impression, with a modern yet subtle, warm, woody fragrance.

4. Hugo Boss In Motion Edition Electric EDT 40ml
Hugo Boss In Motion Edition Electric EDT is a fresh masculine scent with a lovely earl grey tea note in its opening and a blend of rich woods with violet and cedar. A dynamic fragrance for men, ideal for all occasions.

5. Gillette Champions Travel Wash Bag and Fusion Shaving Set
This stylish blue Champions Travel Wash Bag for men comes loaded with 2 great products from the Gillette Fusion shaving range for men. A 200ml Gillette Fusion Hydra Gel for sensitive skin and a Gillette Fusion Razor with 2 cartridges – the combined RRP of the contents alone exceed the price of the set, even without the limited edition wash bag!

If you still want more ideas for the men in your life there are a range of Christmas stocking fillers and novelty gifts from the Touch of Ginger Urban plus range that are well worth considering.

If you are looking for a Christmas gift idea that is something a little bit special this year, we have found the top 5 tips for Christmas presents for women that will make them feel extra special.

Christmas gift ideas are always hard to come by but these 5 top gifts certainly will not be a disappointment. Don’t forget to order early to ensure that you receive them well before Christmas.

1. Burberry Brit Women EDT 50ml
Burberry Brit for Women EDT is an intriguing green oriental fragrance that features an elegant mix of sugars and spices blended to provide the ideal Christmas present.

2. Clarins Trousse Clean Skin Solution
This Clean Skin Solution set from Clarins provides everything women need for the first steps to healthy skin. Each of the products is designed to compliment each other to give a daily routine that is quick and easy to follow, giving her skin an immediate boost after the Christmas festivities.

3. Tommy Hilfiger True Star EDP 30ml
Tommy Hilfiger True Star EDP contains a blend of ingredients inspired by Beyonce. This fantastic scent contains contrasting florals as well as notes of toasted grains to make that special Christmas gift really stand out.

4. Escada Ocean Lounge EDT 50ml
Escada Ocean Lounge EDT 50ml is an evocative fragrance blending fruity overtones with floral undertones to invoke the fresh spirit of summer. If your Christmas gift idea is to transport her to a tropical paradise, sipping cocktails in the sun, then you’ve found it.

5. Elizabeth Arden Red Door EDT Spray 25ml
Red Door is Elizabeth Arden’s classic signature fragrance. This rich and sophisticated EDT combines rare floral scents to make a seductive and sensual perfume for women. This is a Christmas present that speaks volumes – luxury, class and taste.

If you want to see more gift ideas and great value presents browse around our travel size toiletries shop where we have a range of toiletries, cosmetics, fragrances and accessories for you to choose from.