**Air Travel Warning: British Passengers Advised Against Wearing Popular Accessories to Avoid Airport Delays**
With summer holidays on the horizon and flights beckoning towards sun-soaked destinations, British travellers are being urged by experts to rethink their airport attire in order to avoid unnecessary hold-ups. As airports around the world prepare for a new wave of holidaymakers, guidance from travel professionals suggests that the choice of accessories at security and border control could make a crucial difference to your journey.
Travel specialist Pearlyn Yeo, representing the travel company Jetpac and speaking to an audience of over 20,000 followers on social media, has issued a clear warning regarding two items many travellers reach for out of habit: sunglasses and headphones. Yeo cautions that relying on these accessories, even for the sake of comfort, can hinder the efficiency of both manual and automated border control processes.
According to Yeo, keeping your sunglasses on or wearing headphones while passing through key checkpoints such as passport control and security can create unnecessary friction. This is not simply a matter of etiquette; there are practical reasons behind the advice. “Sunglasses make it difficult for security staff and automated facial recognition systems to properly identify you,” she says. “Clear eye contact and an unobstructed view of your features are essential for these technologies and officers alike to confirm your identity and assess your demeanour.”
Similarly, headphones can isolate travellers from important announcements, meaning they might miss guidance from staff or crucial instructions that help to keep queues moving smoothly. “Wearing headphones can be distracting, increasing the risk you’ll overlook a request or a change in the process,” Yeo adds. This can lead to further delays—not only for you, but for everyone waiting in line behind you.
To streamline your airport experience, Yeo and Jetpac recommend removing both sunglasses and headphones before you approach any official checkpoints. Stashing these items in your bag, and ensuring your travel documents—physical or digital—are close to hand, will provide a smoother passage through what are often challenging environments. “It’s a simple routine, but it demonstrates preparedness and respect for established protocols,” Yeo emphasises. Many airport officials will request that sunglasses and headphones be removed anyway, so being proactive eliminates yet another cause for stress on the day.
The travel company further notes the benefits of digital organisation. Travellers can make use of eSIMs and digital wallets to store important documents in one easy-to-access place, but it’s vital to know when to stow away devices and limit distractions. At border control and during immigration procedures, putting phones and tablets aside is recommended, ensuring full attention can be given to staff instructions.
In addition to avoiding problematic accessories, Yeo shares advice on selecting practical attire for air travel. She endorses wearing comfortable, layered clothing made from breathable fabrics, recommending against restrictive outfits, bulky pieces, or garments with excessive metal, all of which can complicate passing through metal detectors and other security checks.
While many passengers may see airport outfit planning as simply a matter of comfort, this expert input highlights how even small fashion choices can influence the outcome of your journey. By following this straightforward guidance—stowing sunglasses, removing headphones, keeping documents handy, and dressing appropriately—travellers increase their chances of a seamless transit through airport security and control points.
With airports progressively adopting more high-tech identification and screening processes, these tips carry added significance. A bit of foresight and preparation could spell the difference between a leisurely pre-flight coffee or a stressful, last-minute sprint through the terminal.
As the travel season gathers pace, those preparing to embark on adventures overseas should heed the warnings issued by industry professionals and partner their packing checklist with a little practical wisdom, ensuring their holiday begins the moment they step inside the terminal, rather than after the queues.