I thought you only had access to duty free once you'd been through?

Correct. But I understand from scousemouse's post that anything bought in DutyFree must be placed in the handluggage, it can't be carried separately as some airlines allow.

thats true.i was in benidorm the other week.and just as a flight was boarding.they was saying just one bag to be carried on plane.inc duty free goods bought.so ladies handbags had to go in one bag.if you know what i mean.
i was with bmi baby.so no problem at all.untill we got on plane .and with so many people just taking those very small flight cases.there was no room left for other stuff.so it was put under you seat.or staff stuffed and crammed it into the spaces they could finded.

i wonder how they would go on if everyone had those small weekend cases.i would love to see how they get on.

plus if you do buy one of those cases in resort.check it measurments.i saw a few people told that they where too big to fit in overhead lockers and had to be put in the hold.at a cost.

That's right, duty free is bought in the airport and has always been carried aboard separately, hence why people were being caught out. Mind you having said that cigarettes were e41.40 for 200, not exactly cheap. At the moment it is only Ryanair specifying the one item rule and there were some very worried passengers in the queue.
Permitted size in cm 55 x 40 x20

This is happening at many UK airports outbound as well.

For reference ( correct on 18/03/2010) 55 X40 X 20 cms

John

Wizzair do the same, only one item of hand baggage, no extra camera, handbag or laptop.