With people across Edinburgh jetting off to enjoy some Easter sun this week, there will inevitably be substantial queues at the airport.
To ensure you're not rushing to catch your flight, you should arrive at the airport in good time — and check when your airline's check-in desk opens.
Sometimes, though, even getting to the airport plenty of time before your flight can leave you running to your gate at the last minute if you're held up in security.
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To ensure that you aren't wasting unnecessary time, they have shared a list of common mistakes travellers make — and how to avoid them.
Although some of these will seem obvious to many passengers, others have only become a problem over the course of pandemic.
Here is what you need to know.
Empty everything out of your pockets, including tissues
While it's commonly thought that you only need to remove metallic objects such as phones and keys from your pockets when passing through security, Edinburgh Airport actually advises completely emptying them.
Having anything in your pockets — including tissues — can make you much more likely to be stopped by a member of staff for a full search.
Don't wear a hoodie through the scanner
As stated by Edinburgh Airport: "This might come as a surprise, but what you’re wearing can make a difference."
The airport's scanners are designed to detect anything unusual on your body, and so wearing a large hood will mean you are much more likely to be stopped.
Passengers wearing a hoodie should take it off and place it in their tray, though the airport says it's "even better" to just not wear one at all.
In addition, shiny or reflective tops can also flag up on the scanner and lead to a search.
Leave all electronics uncovered
While most passengers know to remove all electronics such as phones and laptops from their person and place them in the tray, many are unaware that proceeding to cover them with clothing defeats the whole purpose.
Edinburgh Airport said: "All large electronics have to be uncovered. Otherwise there’s little point in removing them from your bag."
It states that failing to do this will dramatically increase your chances of being stopped — potentially making you late for your flight.
Check your bag for loose bottles
With hand sanitiser bottles becoming significantly more common in luggage, one mistake the airport is seeing more frequently is these bottles being left at the bottom of bags.
All liquids in your luggage must be less than 100ml and "packed away in a sealed, clear bag".
Edinburgh Airport continued: "You’ll be amazed at how many times we see people thinking they’ve packed everything away properly only to be surprised to find make up or sanitiser sitting at the bottom of their bag.
"Give your bags a double, and maybe even a triple check to make sure nothing unexpected has fallen to the bottom."
