4th circuit travel ban

Travelling by aeroplane is accompanied by its own set of stringent rules which are in place to ensure the safety of passengers, as well as the timeliness of plane departures. From a ban on liquids in hand luggage to ensuring you are at the airport two hours before departure for international flights, passengers are usually well versed in the guidelines. However, an airport gate agent has revealed a rule not commonly spoken about but could see passengers being banned from boarding their flight.

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Flights: Passengers can be banned for wearing this item (Image: Getty Images)

The gate agent wrote: “Don’t wear shirts with obscene words.

“We can’t board you to the aeroplane with a shirt that says a bad word.

“You will probably have to change it as it might offend another passenger.”

While many people might not even consider wearing this type of item to travel in, others may find their t-shirt choice comical and not think of the repercussions.

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Flights: Wearing inappropriate garments could see travellers left at the gate (Image: Getty Images)

While this might not seem like a common occurrence, this has happened a number of times over the years garnering media attention.

According to Metro, in 2015 a college student was kicked off a plane after a cabin crew member caught sight of his shirt choice.

The garment was brandished with a common swear word.

Daniel Podolsky was flying from Dallas to Chicago, when extreme weather forced the aeroplane to ground in St Louis.

Flights: T-shirts with offensive slogans could get passengers removed from the plane (Image: Getty Images)

Airlines such as Virgin lay out their own dress code policies for passengers thinking of donning their favourite expletive T-shirt.

Virgin doesn’t permit “clothing that displays offensive language or symbols”.

“If you do not meet our minimum dress requirements, you will be denied travel until you are dressed appropriately,” the airline states.

On the other hand, British Airways don’t mention any dress code standards at all.

“British Airways does not enforce a dress code for passengers in any travel class,” a BA spokesperson told High Flyer.

Popular budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet also don’t mention dress code for passengers on their website.

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Tourists planning travel in Europe should continue to follow government advice to be “be vigilant” as the threat of terrorism has increased following two major knife attacks on Friday. Both The Hague, in The Netherlands, and London, fell victim to vicious attacks. As Christmas approaches, terrorism warnings from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office remain in place to tourists jetting off on European holidays.

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Europe travel warning: How safe is it to travel in Europe after two knife attacks? (Image: Getty Images)

Travel warning: A map of the terror threat in Europe (Image: DX)

Meanwhile, the attack which took place in The Hague just hours later has not yet been confirmed as an act of terrorism.

Just hours after the London attack, shoppers in The Hague were targeted by a man wielding a knife in a department store.

Three teenagers were stabbed as a result.

The injured parties include two girls aged 15 and a boy of 13, did not know each other.

While no motive has been reported police said they are investigating “several scenarios”.

However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its travel warning to coincide with the ongoing investigation.

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With Christmas fast approaching, which has unfortunately been a popular time for attacks across Europe, the government has in place a series of terror warnings.

In The Netherlands, the risk of a terror attack remains “likely”.

According to the FCO: “There is a general threat from terrorism.

“There may be increased security in place over the festive period, including at Christmas markets and other major events that might attract large crowds. “You should remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.”

The government has also issued warnings for several other popular tourist destinations over the upcoming Christmas period.

Markets are a main feature in most UK cities and across the wider continent.

The FCO currently has a travel warning in place for hotspots including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway, Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium and Austria.

Europe travel warning: A fatal attack targeted London Bridge on Friday (Image: Getty Images)

Europe travel warning: Another unrelated attack took place in The Hague, though is not being treated as a terror incident (Image: Getty Images)

While terrorist attacks can not be predicted, there are some ways tourists can keep themselves as safe as possible.

Travel expert Frank Brehany shared his top tips with Express.co.uk .

He said: “The first thing for consumers – for any holiday – is they should always research their destinations and understand what has happened there in the past, as that will indicate what their comfort level will be.

“How much risk are you prepared to accept? Deciding that is really important.

“Next, follow any advice – not just from the UK foreign office. Look across countries, so the UK, Ireland, France, Germany; do a mix and match and compare and contrast as you get a great set of information.

“It really is down to how people feel about risk – because of the deficit in what I see as travel industry/FCO advice to UK citizens, in recent years consumers have had to become their own risk assessors. I’m no different, I do this too.”

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The Royal Family is renowned for being one of the most well-travelled monarchies in the world. As part of their duty, the royals jet off to foreign and commonwealth countries to represent the UK and meeting with world leaders. However, this globe-trotting is coming with rising costs coupled with a push towards more environmentally friendly travel, meaning the way the royals get around could be set to change.

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Royal Travel: Could this be the end of private jets for the Royal Family? (Image: Getty Images)

The job advertisement states: “As Director of Royal Travel, you will have overall responsibility for organising air travel and overseeing the operations of The Queen’s Helicopter Flight and usage of scheduled train services and the Royal Train. You will also liaise with the relevant authorities to provide advice and recommendations on travel, taking into account security, safety and environmental considerations.

“Leading a small team in the Royal Travel office, and The Queen’s Helicopter Flight, based at RAF Odiham, you will provide logistic support to the Royal Household including support of Court moves, State Visits and the provision of the staff travel service in support of all Households and of the Royal Collection.

“You will be required to ensure planning and procedures are highly effective, researching and negotiating value for money contracts and options for travel, while understanding and recommending best industry practice in risk and safety management.”

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One of the main parts of the job role is the emphasis on value for money.

Royal Historian David Mclure reveals: “Royal travel has often been described as the Achilles heel of the Royal Family because it takes up a sizeable element of the budget.

“It’s about £5m out of a total budget of £50m.”

While the royals spent many years spanning the world in their own private jet – the Royal Plane – recent negative attention means that the family is increasingly flying commercially.

Royal Travel: Prince William and Kate were commended for their use of commercial airlines (Image: Getty Images)

Royal Travel: Prince Harry and Meghan came under fire for private jet use this year, though they say they fly commercially too (Image: Getty Images)

With a push towards keeping costs low, however, air travel may not be the only focus for the new Director of Royal Travel.

In fact, it’s the Royal Train that incurs the highest costs, and is also the mode of transport used the most frequently.

Costing more per mile than chartered flights, the Royal Train is estimated to cost an average of £40 a mile according to a BBC report of a September 2018 trip by the Prince of Wales.

However, its use is less about luxurious travel and more about the imperativeness of safety for the monarchy.

Captain Tim Hewlett who once stood as the Queen’s Senior Air Equerry, offered insight into the cost of security.

In an interview for the book ‘The Firm’, he told Royal Author Penny Junor: “In PR terms [train travel] look like a nice cheap option, and we can stand proudly in front of the accountants and say it cost £35 for a first-class rail ticket for the Queen, but the security costs are quite considerable and those are not part of our budget.”

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The difference between flight heaven and flight hell can largely be down to who passengers find themselves sharing a cabin with. Passengers on one flight were left reeling after an unexpected traveller was spotted, raising concerns for hygiene and safety. A photograph of the passenger was viewed by thousands on Instagram account @ PassengerShaming , with hundreds racing to share their opinion.

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Flights: Passengers said “enough is enough” when it comes to this passenger (Image: Instagram @PassengerShaming / Getty Images)

Flights: The horse was spotted on a flight, reportedly a “service animal” (Image: Instragram @PassengerShaming)

However, despite the reassurance of the animal’s role, travellers were outraged at the situation, with one going so far as to say: “enough is enough.”

The user raged: “This ‘support animal’ thing is truly getting out of hand. What happened to dogs and cats????

“I’ll be damned if I am going to pay the prices they’re now charging to fly only to be sitting next to a freaking pony!!!! Mind you, I love horses but enough is enough.”

Their feelings were echoed by a second user who said: “If you need to have a miniature horse by your side in order to fly on a commercial airline, perhaps another mode of travel will better suit you – not to mention the rest of the community of people your needs impact.”

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However, another traveller pointed out the rules regarding service animals -including miniature horses- on planes. They said: “Miniature horses are a legit service animal as approved by the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Indeed, in August 2019, the American aircraft guidelines changed to allow passengers to bring animals on board so long as they are designated service animals.

In a statement, the US Department of Transport told CBS 62: “With respect to animal species, we indicated that we would focus our enforcement efforts on ensuring that the most commonly used service animals (dogs, cats, and miniature horses) are accepted for transport.”

Flights: Miniature horses are now classed as service animals and allows on US flights (Image: Getty Images)

Flights: In September passengers spotted a donkey flying on a plane (Image: Instagram @PassengerShaming)

Luckily, not everyone was upset by the presence of the horse.

Some travellers actually seem to be in support of the animal.

One person said: “I’d be completely overjoyed if a pony was near me on a flight!!!!! Who doesn’t love the neigh, neighs?!”

This isn’t the first four-legged support animal to cause dismay on a flight.

In September passengers spotted a grey donkey tucked into the leg-room area of an economy cabin.

Travellers described the scene as “out of control.”

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