uk air travel liquid restrictions

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The new rules on carrying liquids through UK airport security

Air travel is about to get a little easier, with restrictions on liquids relaxed. With some airports struggling to adapt, here's what to expect this summer.

For almost two decades, the queue for airport security has seen travellers hastily gulping down their bottled water and cramming liquid toiletries — limited to 100ml apiece — into a single transparent bag.  

But not for much longer. In 2022, the UK government announced that by June 2024, all major airports in the country would be required by law to install high-tech new security scanners. This would allow airline rules on liquids to be scrapped, among other benefits.

With the promise of speedier queues through departure, it was initially good news. But now, four of the biggest airports — Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester — are on course to miss the deadline, prompting fears of confusion this summer.  

What’s the 100ml rule?

It stipulates that passengers with hand luggage can only take liquids and creams in containers of up to 100ml on board an aircraft. These must be placed in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures about 20cm x 20cm. The bag must be able to close.

Why was it introduced?

The measures were implemented after a foiled plot by Al-Qaeda in August 2006, during which terrorists attempted to disguise liquid explosives as drinks at Heathrow.  

Why is it changing?

The primary driver is an improvement in security technology. More advanced CT scanners mean that security staff are able to take a more detailed look at passengers’ luggage. As well as negating the need to remove liquids and limit them to 100ml, the new machines mean electronics can stay in bags — without closer inspections —and prohibited items such as weapons and liquid explosives can be better detected. According to Smiths Detection, which makes the scanners, this is thanks to explosives detection algorithms and automated object recognition software.

Why is it taking so long?

Introducing the new machines is a huge financial burden for airports and poses a logistical challenge.“It was always going to be a struggle for the big airports,” a senior aviation source told The Times. “One of the biggest issues they face is fitting the new scanners and retraining staff without impacting the flow of passengers.”

Heathrow, which has 146 security lanes across its terminals, faces the biggest challenge in meeting the deadline, and will have the smallest percentage of new lanes installed come June. A spokesman for Gatwick says it will have made “significant progress” by June but “plans to have completed the operation required to install the remaining scanners in Q1 2025”. Security areas will need to be adjusted at several airports because of the size of the new scanners. The floors in some terminals, especially at Heathrow, need to be reinforced because of their added weight. “The existing scanner is like a washing machine,” says Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport. “The new machines are the size of a Ford Transit.”

What impact are the scanners expected to have?

People failing to remove items from their bags or travelling with large bottles of liquids cause delays at airport security, as they result in additional checks. The new machines are expected to cut wait times dramatically, although the fear is that, in the short term, ‘mixed messaging’ will lead to delays — where airports still have both old and new technology, passengers won’t know what to expect. At London City, which has already completed the upgrade, the average time it takes to conduct security checks is now only three minutes and 45 seconds, down from seven minutes in 2022.  

What will happen this summer, and what’s next?

Discussions are ongoing. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester are expected to be given an extension until 2025, meaning passengers at these airports will be told to follow existing rules — even though some lanes will have been upgraded — to avoid queues. Other airports are understood to be on course, and passengers will benefit this summer. Along with London City, Teesside Airport has already scrapped the 100ml rule. This change will only affect departures from the UK — arrivals into the country will still have to follow the rules of their outbound airport.

This forms part of a raft of new technologies being introduced over the next decade. Facial recognition and AI are playing a big role: in the future, passengers will board planes without showing documents — faces will be automatically matched to passports. Border Force has also started a process to see e-passport gates replaced with ones that do not require them to be inserted.  

Is the change also happening in the US or elsewhere?  

There are other countries that are looking at amending the rules on liquids in light of the new technology, although the UK is among the first to make a blanket change. Spain is on course to follow suit by 2026, thanks to a phased installation of the new scanners. Some other transport hubs, such as Amsterdam’s Schiphol, Frankfurt and Milan Malpensa, have also installed similar ones, and there are a limited number of lanes at Geneva that passengers can choose to use.

In the US, many airports, such as Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson and Chicago's O'Hare, have already installed the new scanners and, in these, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has slightly relaxed the rules. Travellers here are generally able to leave their food, electronics and liquids in their bags as they pass through — but rules on keeping liquids travel-sized remain, permitting just 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less in a single one-quart transparent bag. A nationwide rule change is still expected to take some time, due to the sheer number of airports across the country. On the whole, travellers can expect to encounter legacy rules at some point on their travels over the coming years.

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All the UK airports with new hand luggage liquid rules

With uk airports missing the june deadline for scanners and others with awaiting regulatory approval, passenger confusion reigns.

In December 2022, the Department for Transport announced a “major shake-up of airport security rules” focused on the screening of liquids and electrical items. Airports were set a deadline of June 2024 to install new security technology, that would lead to the end of the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage at large airports. The rule was implemented in 2006 after a foiled terror plot to detonate liquid explosives held in drinks bottles on transatlantic flights.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that the new technology would ultimately improve passengers’ airport experience by reducing queuing times, while enhancing security. However, that deadline has been missed by the UK’s busiest airports , causing confusion for travellers.

There has been a further complication – the Department for Transport announced that from Sunday 9 June, six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation will temporarily reintroduce the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage. These are Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend, and Teesside airports. At some, passengers were able to carry up to 2l of liquids in hand luggage.

Meanwhile, the country’s busiest hubs – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester – are among the airports that have failed to meet the June deadline for the new tech. They have been granted a “case-by-case” extension of one year to install the new CT scanners, which are heavier and bigger than existing scanners. Some airport infrastructure has had to be reconfigured – and in some cases reinforced – to allow for the new equipment.

The hospital-style CT scanners use X-ray technology to screen the contents of hand luggage in 3D, using algorithms to detect threats. The upgraded scanners are being phased in and trialled at many airports, including Heathrow, but not yet at full capacity. For example, Edinburgh airport has one lane with a CT scanner while the rest are old-style scanners. It advises that all passengers should continue to follow existing rules. Gatwick airport has some CT scanners in place and plans to have completed installation by spring 2025.

UK airports with new CT scanners installed by June 2024

• London City
• London Southend
• Bristol – from 14 June 2024 , with a 330ml limit on liquids

These nine airports have met the June deadline for fully operational CT scanners, meaning that liquids and electronics no longer have to be removed from hand luggage during the security screening process. London City says it can now process up to 30 per cent more passengers per hour.

However, it is not until the airport has received regulatory approval that the restriction on the volume of liquids can be relaxed to allow passengers to carry up to 2l of liquids in their hand luggage. For example, outstanding regulatory approval means that passengers will be limited to 330ml of liquids at Bristol airport. The temporary DfT restriction at six regional airports has reintroduced the 100ml limit when using upgraded scanners.

Birmingham airport says: “Whilst we expect that passengers will be able to carry up to 2 litres of liquids in their hand luggage; due to an outstanding regulatory approval, which is out of the control of Birmingham airport, only liquids up to 100ml can currently be carried.”

Even passengers flying from airports with both new scanners and regulatory approval to relax restrictions may find that they come unstuck if they are travelling with full-size toiletries in hand luggage to airports that do not yet have the upgraded scanners. The 100ml rules would still apply on their return journey.

Abta, the travel association, issued a warning to holidaymakers during May half-term to stick to the current 100ml rules for liquids and laptops to be taken out of bags to avoid potential delays and confusion.

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What regional airports are reintroducing restrictions on carrying liquids over 100ml?

• Saturday 8 June 2024 at 9:52am

Six regional airports in the UK will temporarily reintroduce restrictions on carrying liquids over 100ml, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said.

The change will come into effect from midnight on Sunday, and will affect passengers travelling from the following airports:

London City

Aberdeen Airport

Newcastle International Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport

London Southend Airport

Teesside International Airport

All of the airports have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in operation, which had allowed them to scrap the rule.

The high-tech CT scanners create a 3D image of what is inside passengers’ bags.

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs.

Most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have the restrictions on liquids in place as their new scanners are not yet in place.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers.

“For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.

“Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling.”

Airline passengers should “check with their airport what the rules are” on carrying liquids over 100ml, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said on Saturday amid confusion.

“The announcement we’ve made, which comes into force from midnight tonight, actually only affects six regional airports and about 6% of those travelling," he said.

“For most passengers actually the rules haven’t changed at all yet and won’t therefore change tonight. And people should just check with their airport what the rules are or the processes are at a particular airport.

“We’ve reintroduced that rule while updates and changes are made to the scanning equipment at airports to make sure we can continue delivering our world-leading levels of aviation security.

“It’s a temporary measure and we’ll set out when that can be reversed in due course.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know

Restricted and prohibited items

Many items are restricted, controlled or completely prohibited onboard our aircraft due to international law, aircraft safety or regulations at your destination.

Looking for something else? Visit our baggage hub

Always check local country, airport and airline rules before you fly.

In the UK – Check with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) .

In the US – Check with the Transport Security Administration (TSA) .

You must contact us in advance if you need clarification of the regulations or require airline approval when planning to travel with restricted or controlled items.

Liquids, creams, powders and aerosols

You can take these items on the plane in your checked baggage, but most countries have restrictions on the types and quantity you may take into the cabin in your hand baggage.

You are strongly advised to check the hand baggage requirements below that contain important security information.

• Each liquid must be in its own container, measuring no more than 100ml (3.4oz).
• All liquids must be put in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of up to 20 x 20cm (8 x 8in) with a total capacity of up to 1 litre approx. 1 quart.
• You must be able to completely close the bag and fit it in your hand baggage.
• You must take the bag of liquids out of your hand baggage to be screened separately.*
• Aerosols can be carried into the cabin but cannot be used on board.
• In the UK and EU, liquids, aerosols or gels are screened using special equipment and you may be asked to open them. Taste or skin tests of these items are no longer carried out.
• Some UK airports have installed advanced imaging scanners that allow you to leave electronics like laptops and tablets, plus liquids and gels in containers larger than 100ml (3.4 oz) in your hand baggage when going through airport security. You won’t be able to choose your lane, so please follow the directions of airport security staff and be ready to comply with current UK Government requirements when travelling through any UK airport security point.
• For flights outside the UK and EU , please check the safety and security requirements of the country you’re travelling to.
• If you’re flying to the US, you can carry up to 350g (12 oz) of powdered goods in your hand baggage. This includes items like cosmetics, spices, powdered milk, flour, sugar and coffee. Passengers who wish to travel with more than this must pack these items into their checked baggage.
• If you're flying from Australia , any inorganic powders in hand baggage must be carried in containers that do not exceed 350ml (12 oz) or 350g (12 oz) per person.
• Kenya has a strict ban on plastic bags in the country, so we recommend you travel with a thicker, clear, re-useable polyurethane bag that fits the 20cm x 20cm maximum dimensions and seals closed. If you use a disposable plastic bag, discard it on board the flight or at a customs check point on arrival. The airport security area will have small liquids bags available for your journey out the country.

You can take the following items, for personal use, in your checked baggage:

• Toiletry items and aerosols such as hairsprays, perfumes and colognes.
• Non-flammable, non-toxic aerosols for home or sporting use.
• Medicines (non-radioactive), including those containing alcohol.

How much can you take?

Under the IATA’s (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods regulations, each person may carry the below weights in their baggage.

• Weight per individual item:  Max 500g (1lb)
• Weight per person:  2kg (4 ½lbs)
• Volume per individual item:  Max 500ml (17fl. oz)
• Volume per person:  2 litres (70fl. oz)

You must ensure the seals and lids on toiletries and medicines are secure, and spray valves on any aerosols are protected to prevent accidental release of the contents into your baggage in the aircraft hold.

If you’re travelling with essential medical supplies like dialysis fluid, that’s packed in a separate bag and checked into the hold, you're able to take more than the standard amount listed above. To do this, you’ll need an official medical letter signed and dated by your personal medical practitioner.

There's no limit on the number of alcoholic beverages you can travel with as long as their alcohol volume is below 24%.

You can bring up to five litres of alcohol with an alcohol volume between 24% and 70%. This can travel in your cabin bag if you purchased it in the airport duty-free shop, or you can pack in your checked baggage.

Drinks above 70% alcohol volume are not permitted on board our aircraft in either checked baggage or hand baggage.

Please see the hand baggage requirements section above for information about taking liquids in your hand baggage through the security check areas.

You can buy duty-free liquids, gels or cream products of more than 100ml from airport shops or on board when you have a connecting flight, provided that they have been sealed at the point of purchase in a Security Tamper Evident Bag with the receipt inside. If you buy items on board, please ask cabin crew to do this for you.

If you want to leave the airport and return later for your connecting flight, you can take these items with you as long as you don't open the sealed bag. You will then need to go through security again, where airport staff might need to open and reseal your items in a new bag. We cannot accept liability for any products opened or confiscated during transit or disembarkation.

Please check the arrangements for all the airports on your journey to be certain what you can take in your hand baggage.

Any items you buy at the airport or on board count towards your hand baggage allowance for your next flight. If you exceed this, you may need to check the items in and be charged a fee.

You can take solid foods like sandwiches, biscuits, fruit, nuts, etc. on board but the same restrictions for liquids apply to liquid foods, e.g. drinks, soups, sauces, jam or jelly (see guidance above). Be aware that there are no facilities to warm or refrigerate anything that you bring onboard.

We don’t serve peanuts on board our flights, due to the number of customers with allergies , and we ask that you do not bring them into the cabin.

Infant milk and baby food

If you are travelling with an infant, you are allowed to carry as much infant milk, baby food, powdered milk formula and sterilised water, stored in a baby bottle, as required for your trip, even if this exceeds the usual limit on liquids.

These specific items do not need to fit in the transparent bag for presenting liquids as you go through search points, but you should have them ready for inspection by airport security.

Some airports, including Heathrow Airport, have a policy that permits parents to travel with up to 2 litres of liquid expressed breast milk in transparent containers, even when they're travelling without their baby.

Bringing food into other countries

The country of your destination may restrict the types of food allowed into the country, e.g. meat, fresh fruit and vegetables are forbidden by many countries.

For information on what food you can bring into the UK, visit the UK government website .

In accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 2.3.5.10 this item does not require operator approval. You can take insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen (dry shipper) in your hand or checked baggage. It needs to be fully absorbed in a porous material and only contain non-dangerous goods.

Batteries, electric and electronic devices

For your own personal use you can take up to 15 battery-operated Personal Electronic Devices (PED) that containing lithium batteries such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, cameras, music players, smart baggage tags (e.g. Apple AirTag).

Please always ensure that:

• All battery-powered devices are packed to prevent accidental activation.
• Spare batteries are protected from short circuits and damage by keeping them in their original packaging (if possible), in a protective case or a strong plastic bag, or by placing electrical tape over the terminals and carried in the cabin.
• You don't take any damaged batteries or electrical equipment with you.

Please note: If the watt hour (Wh) rating is not shown on the battery or cannot be determined, then the battery cannot be accepted onboard. You can use the following formula to calculate the Wh rating:

• Milliamp hour rating/1000 multiplied by the voltage equals Wh.

In hand baggage

• Must be kept in the device.
• Max. 4 spares per person (incl. power banks) kept in original packaging or insulated/protected from contact with metal.
• Lithium metal batteries must not exceed 2g lithium content and lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 100Wh.

Important note: If your cabin bag is checked in or removed at the gate and placed in the hold, you must remove all spare batteries and power banks and carry them with you in the cabin.

In checked baggage

• The device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).
• Lithium metal content must not exceed 0.3g of lithium
• Lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 2.7Wh
• Spare batteries are forbidden in checked baggage and must be carried in the cabin.

As well as portable medical devices such as a defibrillator with a Lithium Metal (non-rechargeable) content of a maximum of 8g.

British Airways give automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry lithium batteries used in larger portable electronic devices subject to the following conditions

• Maximum two devices per person with a battery installed.
• Maximum of two spare batteries per person (incl. power banks) kept in original packaging or terminals insulated/protected from short circuit.
• For your convenience, you must pack a copy of this page with the devices and spare batteries to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry them.
• You do NOT need to contact the airline or inform staff at the airport that you are carrying this item.
• Devices with batteries installed can travel in cabin baggage and must be protected from accidental activation.
• Maximum of two spare lithium batteries per person (incl. power banks) kept in original packaging or terminals insulated/protected from short circuits.
• Important note: If your cabin baggage is checked in or removed at the gate and placed in the hold, you must remove all spare batteries and power banks and carry them with you in the cabin.
• Devices with batteries installed can travel in checked baggage and must be protected from accidental activation.
• Spare batteries are forbidden in checked baggage.

In hand/checked baggage

• These are not possible to take with you.

Product safety recall information

If a product that contains a lithium battery is subject to a safety recall related to the battery, it must not be carried aboard an aircraft unless the recalled product/component has been replaced or repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

You can take fuel cells and spare fuel cartridges for powering portable electronic devices (e.g. cameras, mobile/cell phones, laptops and camcorders) in your hand baggage only.

You can take portable electronic devices containing non-spillable batteries in your hand or checked baggage. Batteries must meet IATA Special Provision A67 (information is available from the battery manufacturer or supplier) and must be 12 volts or less and 100Wh or less. You can also take a maximum of two spare batteries.

If your wheelchair, mobility scooter or mobility aid is battery-operated, you must let us know in advance and register your mobility aid by logging in to your booking in  Manage My Booking  then choosing ‘Disability and Assistance’ from the ‘Service Requests’ section in Quick Links at the bottom of the page.

You can generally take electric and electronic items in your hand or checked baggage, but you need to follow specific safety instructions:

• Airport security staff may ask you to turn on electronic or battery-powered devices, such as phones, tablets, e-books and laptops, to demonstrate they function. If you're not able to do this, you will not be able to take your device with you (see options below).
• Please ensure that any items in your hand baggage are fully charged and switched on before you arrive at the airport. If your device is not charged, please place it in your checked baggage.
• If you are connecting, make sure that you do not deplete power in your devices during the first part of your journey as charging points at airports might be very limited and you may need an adapter.
• You can still use your  device on board .

If you're not allowed to take your device with you

If you're travelling from  London Heathrow,  you can choose one of the following:

• If you want to take your device in your hand baggage, you can rebook to a later flight but will then need to ensure that it is charged ahead of your new flight. A fee might apply for changing your booking, subject to your ticket type.
• Items not allowed on our aircraft will be held by Bagport, who operate the lost property office in London Heathrow. You will be given a Bagport reference so that you can contact them directly for details of how to retrieve your item through their  MailAndFly service .

If you're travelling from  London Gatwick or a non-UK airport,  please contact our customer services team at the airport who can advise on available options.

Smart Baggage  is a bag (rucksack, suitcase or similar) that contains a lithium battery/power bank. This device is used to recharge Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) i.e. iPhones, iPads, laptops etc. or provide electro-motive power that provides propulsion to the suitcase.

Please note: this does not include small lithium button cell batteries.

If the lithium battery/power bank cannot be readily removed from Smart Baggage by the customer,  the Smart Bag will not be accepted on the flight.

If you can easily remove the lithium battery/power bank, the Smart Bag is permitted for carriage, subject to the following conditions:

• Lithium battery/power banks up to and including 100Wh are acceptable for carriage.
• Lithium battery/power banks of more than 100Wh up to 160Wh, please see the information in the lithium batteries section for approval.

If the Wh rating of the lithium battery/power bank is more than 160Wh, or the Wh rating cannot be determined (e.g. not marked on the battery/power bank case) the  lithium battery/power bank will not be accepted on the flight .

• If the Smart Baggage is to be checked in and will travel in the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be removed and carried in the cabin (terminals protected against short circuit).
• If the Smart Baggage is to be carried in the cabin, you must be able to easily remove the lithium battery/power bank, but it can remain in the bag.

If you are bringing Smart Baggage with you, please ensure that you are aware of our security requirements.

If your flight is operated by one of our partner airlines, please contact that airline to ensure you are aware of their Smart Baggage restrictions.

Sports and recreational items

Some sports and recreational equipment, such as sporting guns, sharp or blunt objects like bats, are also in the restricted and prohibited items category further down the page.

You can't take the following items in either your hand baggage or your checked baggage:

• Javelins and pole vaults
• Hang gliders
• Canoes or kayaks and paddles over 190 cm in length
• Windsurfing boards and sails

These items may be sent as cargo with our partner IAG Cargo .

Find out more about allowed sports equipment in your baggage.

Due to the potential fire risk, all small electric leisure vehicles powered by lithium batteries are strictly prohibited on board, either in the cabin or as checked baggage.

This includes, but is not limited to, hover boards, air wheels, solo wheels, Segways, e-skateboards, electric scooters or e-scooters, e-bikes and hover karts.

If you bring one to the airport with you, it will not be accepted for travel, and you will need to arrange and pay for it to be disposed of or taken away.

The restriction does not apply to battery-operated wheelchairs, seated mobility scooters and other mobility aids for use by a person with reduced mobility.

British Airways give automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry one avalanche rescue pack containing cartridges of compressed gas* (IATA Division 2.2 non-flammable, non-toxic gas) subject to the following conditions;

• You can only take one rescue pack per person containing cartridges which must remain in the device. 
• Spare cartridges are NOT permitted.
• The airbags within the rescue pack must be fitted with pressure relief valves.
• The device may be equipped with pyrotechnic trigger mechanism containing no more than 200mg net explosive of per IATA Division 1.4S (no significant hazard).
• You must pack it in a way that ensures it cannot be accidentally activated.
• This item should travel in your checked baggage as some airports do not allow them in the cabin.
• For your convenience, you must pack a copy of this page with the device to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry the rescue pack.

* For battery operated avalanche rescue backpacks, please see the section for lithium batteries.

Please note: Additional restrictions apply if you're travelling to/from the US. The current FAA advice states: ‘These devices typically contain a cylinder of compressed nonflammable gas. Some models also contain a small explosive charge (squib) to release the cylinder contents. Although these are allowed in checked baggage by international (ICAO/IATA) regulations, these devices are not allowed in baggage in the U.S. unless the gas cylinder is empty and there is no explosive charge.'

Self-inflating safety devices

British Airways give automatic 'operator approval' for each passenger to carry two self-inflating safety devices such as a life jacket or vest, or a motorcycle jacket, or an equestrian jacket subject to the following conditions:

• Limited to compressed gas (IATA Division 2.2 non-flammable, non-toxic gas) for inflation purposes.
• You can only take two self-inflating devices per person containing up to two small cartridges per device.
• You are permitted up to two small spare cartridges packed with the device.
• For your convenience you must pack a copy of this page with the device to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry the self-inflating safety device.
• You do NOT need to contact the airline or inform staff at the airport that you are carrying these items.

Please note: Additional restrictions apply if you're travelling from the US. Even if an item is permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

Other devices containing gas cartridges

British Airways give automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry small gas cartridges (for bicycle pumps, wine dispenser etc.) subject to the following conditions:

• You can take four ‘small’ cartridges per person.
• The water capacity of each cartridge must not exceed 50ml (a carbon dioxide cartridge with 50ml capacity of water is equivalent to a 28g cartridge).
• You must pack the cartridges so that they cannot be accidentally activated.
• For your convenience, you must pack a copy of this page with the cartridges to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry the device/cartridges. 

Other restricted items

Smoking, including the use of personal vaporisers such as vapes, e-cigarettes, e-pipes or any other smoking tool or device, is completely prohibited on board our aircraft, as well as in many airports around the world.

For safety, any smoking/vaping device must be placed in your hand baggage and carried in the cabin. They must also be packaged to prevent accidental activation.

If there are any liquid components to vaporisers, you need to follow aviation security requirements for liquids.

Important note: If you check in your larger cabin bag, or it is removed at the gate to be placed in the hold, you must remove vapes, e-cigarettes or any other smoking devices and carry them with you in the cabin in your smaller hand bag, or on your person for safety.

National laws for using and selling smoking/vaping devices change frequently and some countries have banned their use and import altogether. Please check your destination’s local regulations before you travel.

You can take small foldable umbrellas and walking sticks (excluding hiking poles and other items with sharp ends) in your hand  baggage.

Items with sharp ends, such as hiking poles, must be packed in your checked baggage.

You can take hair-styling devices containing hydrocarbon gas in your hand or checked baggage, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. You can only take one device per person and must not use it on board at any time. You cannot take any gas refills for these devices in your hand or checked baggage.

You can take only one medical or clinical thermometer containing mercury in your checked baggage when it's for personal use and in its protective case. This excludes mercurial thermometers and barometers carried by representatives of a government weather bureau or similar agency - see separate guidance .

You can take energy-efficient lamps intended for personal or home use in your hand or checked baggage as long as they're in their retail packaging.

British Airways give automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry up to 2.5kgs of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) when used to pack non-hazardous perishables subject to the following conditions:

• You can take a maximum of 2.5k g dry ice per person in your cabin or checked baggage.
• If you pack the dry ice in your checked baggage, you must mark or label the bag with the words 'dry ice' or 'carbon dioxide, solid', and add the net weight of dry ice or an indication that there is 2.5kg or less dry ice in the bag/package.
• The package must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to allow venting.
• For your convenience, you must pack a copy of this page with the dry ice to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry the dry ice.  

You can take permeation devices in your checked baggage only and they must meet IATA Special Provision A41 (this information will be available from the device manufacturer or supplier).

You need to have approval in advance if you want to take internal combustion or fuel cell engines on board. They can only be carried in your checked baggage and must be completely purged of fuel and fuel vapour. 

Contact the British Airways Safety Team

If you require additional information regarding your item, or you require approval to bring your item on a flight, please contact our Safety Team. Please allow two UK working days for a reply and remember to supply us with your booking reference.

Prohibited or controlled items

The items below are prohibited but there are some exceptions.

The following are prohibited for carriage on either your person or in your hand baggage:

Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles and devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile, including:

• Firearms of all types, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns
• Toy guns, replicas and imitation firearms capable of being mistaken for real weapons
• Component parts of firearms, excluding telescopic sights
• Compressed air and CO2 guns, such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns
• Signal flare pistols and starter pistols
• Bows, cross bows and arrows
• Harpoon guns and spear guns
• Slingshots and catapults

You can travel with the following types of firearms as checked baggage under very specific conditions:

• Firearms of all types, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns
• Replicas and imitation firearms capable of being mistaken for real weapons
• Component parts of firearms, excluding telescopic sights & magazines
• Compressed air and CO2 guns, such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball-bearing guns

These items may only be carried in your checked baggage and require notification and approval from British Airways in advance. You must contact us at least 72 hours before you fly to request approval and to comply with any government embargoes and any government or airport restrictions. If you don’t contact us, your equipment won’t be allowed onboard.

You will need to provide the appropriate licences and documentation for your firearms and ammunition, e.g. export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities.

If you are travelling to Brazil, only firearms being used for shooting competitions can be taken into the country. Firearms for hunting are not permitted. Passengers must apply for a permit to import the firearm at least 30 days before their travel date.

The following items are not classified as firearms or ammunition and you can pack them in your checked baggage without having to notify us:

• Laser pistols

Notify us before you fly

You must contact us at least 72 hours before your flight to request approval; if you fail to notify us, you will not be able to travel with your equipment.

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• The airports that you are flying from and to
• The number of firearms you wish to transport
• The type (handgun, rifle, shotgun)
• The make/model and calibre
• The quantity (in weight) and calibre of ammunition

Travelling on other airlines

If you are planning to make a booking on ba.com that includes a flight operated by another airline, please contact us before booking to check if the other airline is able to carry your firearm.

Limits and charges

• Some airports are restricted on their permissions to handle specific types of firearm – contact us to check
• There is a limit of 5kg (11lb) of ammunition (cartridges for weapons) per person (IATA Division 1.4S; UN numbers 0012 and 0014). This is for that person’s own use only and excludes ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles.
• Each bag or case containing firearms or ammunition is subject to a £125 charge each way, payable at check-in, plus applicable local service fees to cover the cost of our specialist firearms and ammunition handling partner.
• If you take more or heavier bags than your checked baggage allowance , you will need to pay an extra charge.

How to pack your firearms and ammunition

• Pack your firearms and ammunition together in an appropriate carriage case, or if this is not possible, securely inside your checked bag with your personal belongings (except to/from South Africa and Italy, and from Romania and Croatia).
• Be aware that any bag packed with personal items as well as your firearm and/or ammunition must not contain liquids in containers over 100ml or other items prohibited in hand baggage, as it has to go through the hand baggage security checks.
• If you're travelling to/from South Africa, Italy, or from Romania, check in your firearms and ammunition in individual locked cases, separate from any checked bag with your personal belongings. In this instance, you will not be charged an extra baggage fee for the separate ammunition case if you exceed your free baggage allowance.
• When travelling from Croatia, firearms must be packed in a locked case, separate from ammunition and personal items that can be packed together in another locked case. In this instance, you will not be charged an extra bag fee for one of these cases if you go over your free checked baggage allowance. You will still need to pay the required firearm/ammunition fee for each case containing a firearm or ammunition and extra bag charges for any further bags that exceed your free checked bag allowance.
• If you're travelling to/from the US, visit the TSA website for full details on transporting firearms and ammunition.
• You cannot combine ammunition allowances for more than one person into one or more bags.
• Ammunition needs to be in either its original packaging or a suitable container that prevents movement between shells or cartridges (loose ammunition is not permitted).
• Make sure that firearms are unloaded and each firearm is accompanied by the appropriate certificate.
• Do not use 'explosives' labels on bags with ammunition.

Arrive earlier for check-in

You must arrive at a check-in desk at least two hours before your flight to allow sufficient time to process the paperwork prior to clearing security. If you're travelling with 10 or more firearms or boxes of ammunition, you must allow at least three hours.

You must declare that you are travelling with firearms and/or ammunition at the check-in desk.

Connecting between different terminals at an airport

If you are connecting between different terminals at a UK airport, please allow at least three hours between flights.

Connecting between different airports

British Airways does not offer a connecting service for travelling with firearms between UK airports.

If you're connecting between different UK airports, you must ensure that you have the appropriate licences/permissions to be in possession of a firearm in the UK and you must make your own arrangements for the transfer of your firearms to your connecting flight. Please allow more than the recommended  minimum connection time .

Explosives and flammable substances and devices that can be used, or appear capable of being used, to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of an aircraft are completely forbidden, including:

• Ammunition, unless we've approved carriage. See guidance for guns, firearms and ammunition .
• Blasting caps
• Detonators and fuses
• Replica or imitation explosive devices
• Mines, grenades and other explosive military stores
• Fireworks and other pyrotechnics, including sky lanterns, party poppers and sparklers and Christmas crackers.
• Smoke-generating canisters or cartridges
• Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
• Petrol, solid fuel fire lighters, fuel blocks for camping stoves, cylinders containing flammable gas.
• Lighter fuel, lighter refills, 'Strike anywhere' matches, 'Blue flame' or 'Cigar' lighters. See guidance for cigarette lighters and safety matches below.
• Paints, excluding products like water-based artist paints or artists' oil paints, solvents and varnish.
• Liquid oxygen systems (see guidance for oxygen cylinders required for medical use )

Christmas crackers

Festive crackers cannot be carried in your hand baggage as they contain a restricted substance. They must be packed into your checked baggage and put in the hold. They are also prohibited on all flights to and from the USA.

You can only take Christmas crackers on flights departing the UK if:

• Your crackers are commercially manufactured and in their original unopened packaging. Homemade crackers are not permitted under any circumstances.
• You’re travelling with a maximum of two boxes per person, with a total of 12 crackers per box, for personal use only.
• Your crackers are packed in your checked baggage and carried in the hold. For flights departing from the USA, check the latest TSA guidelines . Rules vary in other countries.

Party poppers, sparklers and sky lanterns

Party poppers and sparklers are not allowed on any British Airways’ aircraft in either hand baggage or checked hold baggage as they are classed as fireworks.

Sky lanterns, sometimes known as Chinese lanterns, are not allowed onto any British Airways’ aircraft in either your hand baggage or checked hold baggage as they contain a chemical pad that could ignite. They are banned in many countries.

Cigarette lighters and safety matches

You can carry one small packet of safety matches or a small cigarette lighter that does not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel other than liquefied gas on your person but not in your hand or checked baggage. These items need to be for personal use.

Lighter fuel, lighter refills, 'Strike anywhere' matches, 'Blue flame' or 'Cigar' lighters are forbidden.

Camping stoves and fuel containers

British Airways give automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry a camping stove and an empty flammable liquid fuel container in their checked baggage, subject to the following conditions:

• Flammable gas cylinders are forbidden.
• The empty fuel tank and/or fuel container must be allowed to drain for one hour. 
• The fuel tank and/or fuel container must be left uncapped for six hours to allow any residual fuel to evaporate. If the tank smells of fuel, it cannot travel.
• Alternative methods such as adding cooking oil to the fuel tank and/or fuel container to elevate the flashpoint of any residual fuel and then emptying the tank are also acceptable.
• The empty fuel tank and/or fuel container must have the cap securely fastened and be wrapped in an absorbent material such as paper towel and placed in a polythene or equivalent bag. The top of the bag must be sealed or gathered and closed with an elastic band or twine.
• For your convenience, you must pack a copy of this page with the fuel tank and/or fuel container to identify that you have our ‘operator approval’ to carry the camping stove.

Specimens with small quantities of flammable liquid

You can take non-infectious specimens packed with small quantities of flammable liquid in your hand or checked baggage provided they meet IATA Special Provision A180. Please contact us for details.

Most corrosive and toxic chemical substances are completely forbidden onboard, including:

• Acids, bleaches and peroxide
• Phosphorous items
• Fertilisers, weed killers and insecticides

Ink and toner cartridges

• On flights to or from the UK, not including a US airport, ink and toner cartridges weighing more than 500g (18oz) are only allowed in checked baggage, in the hold, in their original packaging.
• On flights to or from the US, ink and toner cartridges weighing more than 453g (16oz) are completely forbidden.

Mercurial thermometers and barometers

If you're a representative of a government weather bureau or similar agency and need to carry mercurial thermometers or barometers, please contact us to get approval. You can then take these items in your hand baggage only. This excludes medical and clinical thermometers where separate guidance applies .

Chemical agent monitoring equipment

If you're a staff member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on official travel and need to carry chemical agent monitoring equipment, please contact us to get approval. You can then take it in your hand or checked baggage.

Devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise are completely forbidden, including:

• Devices for shocking, such as stun guns and stun batons.
• Electro-shock weapons containing dangerous goods, such as explosives, compressed gases, lithium batteries, etc. (e.g. Tasers).
• Animal stunners and animal killers.
• Disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and sprays, such as mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays.

Any item with a sharp point or cutting edge that could cause serious injury must be packed safely in your checked baggage in the hold. These items are not permitted in the cabin either on your person or in your hand/cabin baggage. Examples include:

• Items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers
• Ice axes and ice picks
• Loose razor blades
• Box cutters
• Knives with blades of more than 6cm
• Traditional ceremonial knives such as the Scottish Skean Dhu (Sgian Dubh), the Sikh Kirpan or the Gurkha Kukris
• Scissors with blades of more than 6cm as measured from the fulcrum
• Martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge
• Swords and sabres 

However, you can take the following items in your hand or checked baggage:

• Knitting needles and crochet hooks
• Disposable and cartridge razors (not loose blades)

You can only take trade tools that can be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of an aircraft in your checked baggage, not on your person or in your hand baggage. Examples include:

• Drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills
• Tools with a blade or shaft of more than 6cm that can be used as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels
• Saws, including cordless portable power saws
• Blowtorches
• Bolt guns and nail guns

Heat-producing items

Please contact us to get approval for any heat-producing items, such as underwater torches (diving lamps) and soldering irons. You can then take these items in your hand or checked baggage.

Objects that can cause serious injury when used to hit can only be taken in your checked baggage. These are not permitted on your person or in your hand baggage. Examples include:

• Baseball and softball bats
• Clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks
• Martial arts equipment

Please check that these items are allowed to be brought into the country of your destination.

Security-type attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags, etc. incorporating dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material are normally forbidden.

To ensure the safety and security of our customers and our crew, we won't allow you to carry any other article that the airport manager or aircraft operator has reason to believe might be used or adapted for causing injury or incapacitation of a person, or endanger an aircraft.

Simple Flying

The removal of the 100ml rule at uk airports: everything you need to know.

Passengers can soon hand-carry up to 2 liters of liquids onboard in the UK - some airports have already rolled out the technology.

In December 2022, the UK government announced that all airport security scanners nationwide would be upgraded by June 2024 . The cutting-edge technology will improve traffic flow and passenger experience at security checkpoints while maintaining high standards of screening. As part of this upgrade, and to many passengers’ delight, the 100ml rule will be scrapped.

Fast forward to today, and London City Airport (LCY) and Teesside are the only airports that have fully implemented these scanners, meaning no 100ml rule at all. However, with the deadline coming up soon, more are set to follow in the coming months, and hopefully, hubs like Heathrow and Gatwick will adopt the standard by June as well.

What is the 100ml rule?

In 2006, a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks onboard transatlantic flights from the UK to the US and Canada was uncovered by the British Metropolitan Police. As a result, the 100ml rule was introduced.

The rule banned passengers from carrying large volumes of liquids in their hand luggage. Any liquids carried in hand luggage must be in containers no larger than 100ml (3.4 fl oz) and placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag no larger than 20 cm x 20 cm (7.9 inches x 7.9 inches). Passengers were limited to one bag per person. This prevented significant amounts of dangerous substances from being concealed in seemingly harmless drink bottles or containers.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .

The removal of the rule

As part of the UK government’s efforts to streamline security processes, new technology will be gradually installed at airports nationwide, allowing for reduced queuing times, improved passenger experience, and better capabilities to detect potential threats. This advanced screening technology is paving the way to the eventual end of the 100ml rule on liquids at airports.

Furthermore, this new system means that large electronics – like tablets and laptops – can be left inside carry-on bags at the security checkpoint. Currently, these devices must be removed from bags to be screened.

Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying

What does this mean for travelers?

Travelers can expect to see the complete removal of the 100ml rule at major airports by 2024. Eventually, the carry-on liquid limit at these airports will be extended to 2 liters (0.53 gallons). This new limit is already in force at some major airports. UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.”

However, it’s important to note that travelers should always check the security requirements at all points of their journey. While the departing airport may accept liquid in containers measuring more than 100ml, the airport through which they transfer or return may not.

We had the opportunity to fly through London City Airport soon after the requirements were scrapped in April 2023. Security lines were noticeably faster; all passengers had to do was drop their bags and walk through, shaving off minutes from each traveler. Moreover, the two-liter rule means you’re free to take a full water bottle and any liquids through as well; no more rummaging and last-minute binning of bottles. Ten minutes from the top of the escalator to airside is a considerable feat and will significantly benefit hubs!

Where have these upgrades been implemented?

Although 2024 might seem a long way to go, several airports in London are already trialing the upgraded security screening machines, with one airport having fully rolled out the technology.

As mentioned, London City Airport is the first UK airport to successfully introduce the upgraded technology, while the machines are on trial at Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, and London Luton Airport.

Discover more aviation news about passenger experience here.

London Heathrow Airport

London gatwick airport.

Liquids in Hand Luggage at UK Airports: All Rules Explained

Who’s behind these travel insights? I’m Sebastian, your luggage expert since 2017. On my site, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations for the perfect travel baggage.

100ml Airport Rule

Regulations for Liquids in Hand Luggage

When packing liquids in your hand luggage, be aware of the 100ml Airport Rule that restricts each container to a maximum of 100ml. In the UK, this regulation is evolving; several airports have already eased these limits, and all others are required to do so by June 2025 (read the next section for more details). However, keep in mind that this rule is still strictly enforced at most international airports. Let’s delve into the specifics of the 100ml rule:

• Only containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml are allowed.
• All containers must be packed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one litre and dimensions around 20×20 cm.
• The plastic bag must be completely closed.
• Each passenger is allowed only one bag.
• The number of containers is unlimited, provided they fit comfortably in the bag and allow it to be sealed properly.
• Liquids in containers larger than 100 ml are prohibited.

Source: www.gov.uk

You can buy appropriate bags for your liquids – like freezer bags – at supermarkets or drugstores. For a more durable option, consider special toiletry bags, reusable multiple times. If you’re looking to decant personal care products, specialized bags with bottles offer great convenience.

Last update on 2024-06-10 at 05:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Partnernet

Changes to the 100ml Rule in the UK

Current Status and 2025 Deadline

Phasing Out the 100ml Rule: Globally, airports are moving away from the longstanding security measure that limits passengers to 100ml liquid containers in hand luggage. This change is aimed at simplifying air travel, making it less restrictive by allowing passengers to carry larger quantities of liquids through security checkpoints.

New Technology: The transition is supported by the integration of advanced CT X-ray scanners, which enhance the security process by enabling more thorough and efficient screenings. These devices allow liquids and electronics to remain in bags, reducing hassle for travelers and streamlining security procedures.

June 2025 Deadline: Initially set for June 2024, the UK deadline for full implementation of these scanners has been extended to June 2025 due to logistical challenges. Once in place, this technology will ease current limitations, increasing the permissible liquid container size from 100ml to 2 litres and thus improving the efficiency of airport security operations.

Status of Changes at UK Airports: London City, Teeside International, and Jersey airports have already removed the 100ml rule. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Manchester, the largest airports in the UK, are now expected to meet the revised deadline of 2025 for full implementation of the new scanners, lifting liquid restrictions at that time.

Source: www.gov.uk & www.forbes.com

Exceptions to the 100ml Airport Rule

In certain cases, you are allowed to transport additional liquids

Liquid Medicines

Special rules apply to medications required during a flight , such as for diabetics. These can be brought on board in addition to the 1-litre bag. However, the need must be credibly demonstrated, for example, with a prescription or a medical certificate. Solid medications like tablets are not affected by these rules.

Baby Food on Plane

Baby food is not counted among the regulated hand luggage liquids either. However, this exception only applies if the child is traveling and is under 3 years old .

There’s no specific quantity limit , but in principle, this exception is only for the amount of baby food needed for the journey’s duration. It’s not permissible to carry larger amounts for the entire holiday. The food should also be suitable for babies, i.e., no sodas, caffeinated beverages, or similar items.

Other foods necessary for special dietary needs can also be carried, but a medical certificate or similar documentation is required.

Duty-Free Liquids

The regulations also do not apply to liquids purchased in shops beyond the security checkpoints or on board an aircraft. Duty-free liquids are sealed at the time of purchase along with the sales receipt in a security bag with a red edge and must not be opened before reaching the final airport. This exception only applies to items with a sales receipt from the same day of the flight. Transferring with duty-free goods at other EU airports is also no issue as long as the bag remains closed and sealed until the end of the final leg. There’s no limit to the number of duty-free bags.

Empty Water Bottle in Hand Luggage

Is Taking It into the Cabin Allowed?

Carrying your own drinks in containers over 100 ml is not permitted.

You can buy beverages either at the airport after security or directly on board. If you’re looking to save money, it’s permitted to bring an empty water bottle in your hand luggage .

After passing through security, you can refill your bottle. Some airports have drinking water dispensers, or you can use tap water from the restroom area.

You can use a regular water bottle , a thermos, or an empty PET bottle. The crucial factor is that the bottle must be completely empty. The size of the bottle generally doesn’t matter and is not restricted.

Be cautious with glass and metal bottles , as depending on their type and size, they may be prohibited in hand luggage for security reasons.

I use a collapsible water bottle because it’s extremely space-efficient and lightweight. It’s not only ideal for flying but also handy for excursions at your holiday destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Liquids in Hand Luggage

What counts as liquids on a plane?

The following items are considered liquids in hand luggage:

• All types of beverages , including water and alcohol
• Cosmetic and toiletry items such as shampoos, creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, and lip gloss
• Aerosols & Sprays , including deodorants, sunscreens, and hairsprays
• Gels , including hair gel, shower gel, and toothpaste
• E-cigarette liquids , including fluids and gels
• Liquid Foods such as soups, spreads, honey, oils, yogurt, etc.

Are aerosols allowed in hand luggage?

Yes, aerosols are permitted in hand luggage but must adhere to the same restrictions as other liquids. This means each aerosol container should not exceed 100ml, and all containers must fit within a single, transparent, resealable 1-litre plastic bag. This rule applies to items like deodorant sprays and hair sprays.

Does a deodorant stick count as a liquid?

According to the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a deodorant stick is not considered a liquid, so it should be able to be carried in hand luggage without any issues. Since most sticks contain less than 100ml, they can also be easily placed in the liquids bag, in case there are any problems at the security checkpoint. Please note that this does not apply to deodorant sprays or roll-ons, as these are considered liquids.

How many 100ml bottles can I take in my hand luggage?

You can carry as many 100ml bottles in your hand luggage as fit into a clear, resealable plastic bag. This bag must have a maximum volume of 1 litre and must be completely closed. All liquids you want to carry in your hand luggage must fit into this bag.

What happens if I violate the liquids rule?

If you violate the liquids rule for hand luggage, the items in question may be confiscated and disposed of by airport security. Fines are rather unusual, but additional security checks (e.g., explosives testing) may occur. To avoid delays and potential inconvenience, it is advisable to adhere to the existing regulations.

Can I transport larger quantities of liquids in checked luggage?

Yes, you can carry larger quantities of liquids in your checked luggage. However, there are some restrictions on dangerous liquids and substances. For example, many flammable or explosive materials are not allowed to be transported. Alcoholic beverages can usually be carried in limited quantities.

Do the containers in the liquids bag also have to be transparent?

No, the containers in the liquids bag do not have to be transparent. What matters is that the bag itself is transparent and has a resealable mechanism. The containers can be made of any material and do not have to be see-through. It’s only important that they do not exceed the maximum capacity of 100ml.

Can I take alcoholic drinks in my hand luggage?

Yes, as long as they are in containers of no more than 100 ml in the transparent liquids bag. Alcoholic drinks purchased after the security checkpoint are not subject to this restriction. However, be aware of any import restrictions of your destination country.

Related Posts

Guide to Perfect Hand Luggage Size for Major Airlines

12 comments.

If I take aerosols, e.g., 65ml deodorant, toothpaste, aftershave, and polygrip in travel size, can they go in hand luggage as long as they are in a transparent, resealable bag?

Yes, you can carry aerosols like 65ml deodorant, toothpaste, aftershave, and polygrip in travel sizes in your hand luggage as long as they are in a transparent, resealable bag. Each container must not exceed 100ml, and the total volume should fit within a 1-litre bag.

Sorry for the dumb question but what are the dimensions of a 1 litre bag? I’m worried mine is too big and I will have to leave some of my toiletries. It’s 20cm x 24cm.

No question is dumb when it comes to travel preparation! Generally, the dimensions for a 1-litre bag for liquids in hand luggage are around 20cm x 20cm. However, there’s no strict regulation on the exact size, and the dimensions you mentioned, 20cm x 24cm, might still be acceptable in some cases. Since there’s no absolute rule on this, it can vary by airline. To avoid any issues at security, it might be safer to use a bag that closely matches the typical size. If in doubt, you could check with your airline before travelling.

Hi, can I decant toiletries into small bottles? I read somewhere that this is only allowed if there is a label on the bottle with the measurement, and that you are not allowed to label it yourself. Is this true? Thanks.

Yes, you can decant toiletries into smaller bottles for air travel. It is not required that these bottles be labeled with their measurements. Airport security personnel have enough experience to estimate container sizes and can usually determine if a container exceeds the liquid limits. While labeled containers can help clarify any doubts about capacity, they are not mandatory.

Safe travels!

Thank you so much!

We fly through Heathrow in 3 weeks. Does the clear bag for liquids have to be like a zip-loc one, or can it be one of the TSA approved ones with a zipper sold on Amazon? They seem to be able to hold a bit more than a ziploc. Also, are eye drops and nasal sprays as well as arthritis cream considered liquids?

The clear bag for your liquids can indeed be one of the TSA-approved bags with a zipper that you find on Amazon, as long as it meets the size requirements—about 1 litre in capacity and approximately 20 cm by 20 cm. These bags often provide a bit more structure than a standard zip-lock bag, but they must still be transparent and resealable.

As for your other question, yes, eye drops, nasal sprays, and arthritis creams are considered liquids under the 100ml rule. Each of these items must be contained within containers of no more than 100ml, and they all need to fit comfortably within your clear liquids bag. However, if you are carrying medications such as eye drops or creams that exceed these limits, you can bring them in larger quantities if you have a doctor’s prescription or a medical certificate with you.

Do sheet facial masks count as a liquid? My daughter-in-law takes them as carry-on for regular flights to the US, and says they are not counted as a liquid. I’m travelling to Spain next month. Many thanks.

Sheet facial masks are generally not classified as liquids and usually don’t need to be stored in your clear liquids bag. However, masks that are heavily saturated with cream or gel might occasionally be questioned by security. If you want to ensure a hassle-free journey, you might consider placing them in your liquids bag, especially if they appear more ‘wet’ than typical dry sheets.

Best regards.

Hi Sebastian

Thank very much. The one’s I use aren’t too saturated, its just I have skin problems and these really help.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

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Airport security liquids rule – what is changing?

Some uk airports are now using advanced ct scanners, meaning liquids and laptops can stay in the traveller’s bag, article bookmarked.

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Many airline passengers say the worst part of any journey is the airport security check. Worldwide in normal times, half a million people pass through airport security every hour . Travellers resent the limit on LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels) in cabin baggage, as well as the obligation to extract electronics such as laptops and tablets from hand luggage.

The liquids rules were introduced hastily in 2006 as “a temporary measure” to protect against explosives. Despite repeated promises they remain in place.

In 2019 Boris Johnson vowed the rules would be eased at major UK airports by 2022, allowing larger quantities and eliminating the need to have liquids separately scanned. Rishi Sunak’s government then extended that deadline to June 2024.

New scanners are being installed at checkpoints at all the UK’s main airports – but not fast enough to meet the June deadline. The biggest UK hubs say they will not be ready in time. The transport secretary, Mark Harper, has given airports an extension , but warned that they could be fined if they further delay the roll-out of smoother security.

Simon Calder, former security officer at Gatwick airport and current Independent travel correspondent, explains more.

• Airport security liquid rule change delayed – again – as scanners aren’t ready
• Airport security: what are the liquids rules and have they changed?
• ‘Absolute shambles’ at Heathrow Airport as passengers wait hours for baggage which never arrives

Cabin baggage: what are the rules?

The list of items that cannot be taken through an airport security checkpoints in carry-on bags has increased over the decades, evolving in reaction to terrorist attacks – successful and otherwise.

All weapons, whether firearms, knives or explosives, are banned from hand luggage. But there are also strict rules about larger quantities of liquids, aerosols, gels, pastes, lotions and cosmetics, extending even to yoghurt, soft cheese and Creme Eggs.

No container for any LAG can be above 100ml, and they must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre.

How did the liquids rule come about?

In August 2006 the aviation industry – and baffled passengers – awoke to find security rules for passengers had tightened overnight. The government announced that it had uncovered a terror plot to blow up transatlantic jets from Heathrow to North America.

The perpetrators aimed to take the ingredients for improvised explosive devices on board a number of aircraft. The ingredients, derived from hydrogen peroxide, were intended to be disguised in soft drink containers. The plotters aimed to assemble the bombs on board before detonating them and destroying the plane. They were later convicted of offences including conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions.

The bosses of Britain’s airlines were called in the early hours of 10 August 2006 to be told their passengers would be banned from carrying anything more than a purse or wallet into an aircraft cabin. Even pens were banned from transatlantic flights, on the grounds that the ink they contained was a liquid.

One concession was made, for nursing mothers: they could take milk for their baby through the checkpoint, but only if they tasted it first in front of security staff to demonstrate it was the real thing.

Baggage systems could not cope with two or three times the normal number of items, and Heathrow airport ground almost to a standstill. Flight networks elsewhere in the UK and Europe were also affected.

Three months later, the rules were eased – but with strict limits that prevail today at almost all UK and overseas airports. The limits were introduced as a “temporary measure” while airport security technology caught up. But progress has been painfully slow.

Even a very modest relaxation of the rules – to allow airport purchases of drinks to be taken through checkpoints in a sealed “security tamper-evident bag” (Steb) – took years to be implemented.

Many passengers are still being caught out, losing their expensive airport purchases, because duty-free drinks are not allowed through the airport where they change planes.

Is there a technological solution?

Yes. Modern scanners use computed tomography (CT) – the same technology as medical scanners – to analyse the molecular structure of the contents of a passenger’s bag. The nachines can detect any potential threat and present security officers with a three-dimensional image of the contents.

They can also analyse whether laptops and other electronic equipment present a danger.

At airports where the technology is used, liquids and laptops no longer have to be removed. The kit was first used in Europe at Shannon in the west of Ireland , where “liquids, gels, pastes, lotions and cosmetics in containers of any size” have been allowed through security since March 2022.

Newcastle, Teesside and London City airports are also now fully updated.

Travellers have a much easier experience: they no longer need deconstruct their cabin bags, and the whole airport process feels much easier.

Security is also enhanced, with more sophisticated assessment of potential threats. The amount of staff time consumed in “secondary searches” is reduced, allowing officers to spend more time assessing passenger behaviour.

To reduce stress for passengers and increase security, in 2019 the government told all major UK airports to have advanced CT scanners at security checkpoints by 1 December 2022 . But the deadline was missed.

During the Covid pandemic, airports faced catastrophic losses as passenger numbers collapsed. The obligation to make the multi-million pound investment required was lifted.

But smoother journeys are now back on the table?

Yes. In 2022, the transport secretary Mark Harper said the airport experience would become easier from June 2024: “The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.

“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.”

Some airports, including Luton and Birmingham, are on course to meet the June 2024 deadline. But the UK’s four biggest airports will not be ready.

• A spokesperson for Heathrow airport told The Independent : “Heathrow has to replace 146 lanes, while some of the smaller airports have less than 10 to replace, this shows the magnitude of the work ongoing at Heathrow while we continue to ensure smooth security experiences for passengers.”
• Gatwick expects to be fully ready in the first three months of 2025. A spokesperson for the Sussex airport said: “We currently plan to have completed the major logistical operation required to install the remaining scanners in Q1 2025, after the busy summer peak period has concluded.”
• Manchester Airports Group, which owns Stansted and East Midlands as well as Manchester, will have the new scanners “in place on a large number of our security lanes by June 2024” – but the programme will not be completed until 2025.

When everyone is ready, will that be the end of problems?

Not necessarily: passenger confusion is a constant problem for aviation security . Nothing has changed yet, though some travellers may infer that it has.

Worldwide, lack of conformity is a key issue for aviation security professionals – and passengers.

At many airports liquids are limited but can stay in the traveller’s bag. Laptops and tablets such as iPads must be removed in the UK and many other countries, but in some nations they need not be.

In Israel, procedures are entirely different. The authorities say: “Passengers should arrive three hours prior to departure for the security check procedure.” There is sometimes intense questioning by officials, and laptops must be removed. But liquids are permitted without restriction.

The main issue: passengers should not expect aviation security to be the same worldwide – or even UK-wide. At some small Scottish airports including Barra, Campbeltown and Tiree there have been no security checks since 2017.

Is this going to cost me more?

The airports that are collectively investing hundreds of millions of pounds will be seeking a return – and that could include raising fees. But the new tech should cut staff costs, representing savings for airports.

Willie Walsh, director-general of the International Air Transport Association ( Iata ) – representing airlines worldwide – said: “Implementing this technology should not come with a big bill. In fact, simplified processes should deliver significant efficiencies.”

“Speedy deployment should be possible. The technology has already been used successfully and for a long time at various airports across the world with measurable improvements to the passenger experience.”

Will aviation security remain a permanent pain?

No. In 2019 Iata described the prevailing security situation as “no longer sustainable”. It has been working with airports for over a decade on a project called “Smart Security”.

Ultimately walk-through metal detectors and security pat-down of many passengers should be eliminated, with technology assessing possible threats more effectively than humans watching screens.

The passenger should be able to walk unchallenged along a corridor flanked by detectors, barely aware that they are being checked.

Checkpoints will still be staffed, but security personnel will be freed up to do what people do best, which is to study the behaviour of passengers and identify “persons of interest” for further investigation.

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U.K. Airports Will Ease Restrictions on Liquids and Laptops in Carry-On Bags

Starting in 2024, travelers won’t need to limit liquids to travel-size containers

Daily Correspondent

By mid-2024, airports in the United Kingdom will allow passengers to bring liquids of up to 67.6 ounces (2 liters) in their carry-on bags, up from the current limit of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Travelers won’t need to remove liquids or large electronic items like laptops from their bags as they pass through security checkpoints, either.

The U.K. government announced the upcoming changes in a statement  last week, calling them the “biggest shake-up of airport security rules in decades.” The existing liquid limits have been in place since 2006, when authorities foiled a terrorist plot to  bring liquid explosives onto flights headed for the United States.

“The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change,” says Mark Harper, the U.K.’s transportation head, in the statement.

To make this vision a reality, all U.K. airports will be required to install updated security screening devices that make seeing inside carry-on luggage and identifying potential threats easier.

The new X-ray scanners rely on computed tomography (CT) technology, similar to the CT scans doctors use in medical settings, per Condé Nast Traveler ’s Jessica Puckett. The technology produces highly detailed 3-D images of luggage contents, then uses sophisticated threat-detection algorithms to alert security agents of any possible issues.

After conducting trials of the technology starting in 2018, the U.K. government has now set a June 2024 deadline for all airports to upgrade their equipment and processes. The new tech should help speed up security screenings and shorten lines.

Many U.S. airports have already installed the new CT scanners in recent years. As of May, 163 airports across the country had added 402 scanners to their security checkpoints, per a Transportation Security Administration (TSA)  statement . 

The TSA relaxed its rules slightly at airports using the technology, allowing travelers to leave food, electronics and travel-sized liquids in their carry-on bags as they pass through checkpoints. But even with the more sophisticated tech in place, TSA officials say they are still “years away” from changing the current liquids rules, says Robert Carter Langston, a TSA spokesperson, to Conde Nast Traveler .

Currently, travelers flying through U.S. airports can only bring liquids of 3.4 ounces or less in their carry-on bags, and they must all be able to fit inside a clear, one-quart bag. TSA leaders may feel differently in a few years, however, once their counterparts across the Atlantic have their new rules in place.

“I believe that TSA and other aviation security organizations will study the results from the U.K.’s decision closely and carefully,” Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst for Atmosphere Research, tells Conde Nast Traveler .

New security scanners aren’t the only travel upgrades happening across the pond. In November, the European Commission decided to allow airlines to provide 5G connectivity on their planes , meaning travelers may soon be able to  make phone calls while flying.

In the U.S., meanwhile, travelers no longer have to  show their boarding passes at security checkpoints in some airports, thanks to the installation of new  Credential Authentication Technology systems. Also this year, TSA began allowing some travelers to upload their state-issued ID to their Apple Wallet app and then use their iPhone or Apple Watch as a  form of identification at security.

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

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Liquid allowance in hand luggage: How much can you take on board your flight?

• Paddy Maddison

Prevent the confiscation of your favourite cologne or expensive booze by following these simple rules

If you’re an infrequent flyer, you may not be crystal clear on the regulations covering liquid allowance in hand luggage. There are strict rules regarding liquids and, specifically, how much you can carry aboard. If you’re not aware of them, you could find yourself in a stressful, but easily preventable, situation at airport security.

The rules in the UK are set to be relaxed in June 2024 but, for now, the liquid allowance for hand luggage on commercial flights is still relatively small. That said, there are some exceptions, such as for medications or items purchased after security from the airport’s duty-free shop.

To demystify the rules governing flying with liquids, we’ve answered some of the most common questions and laid out the key information below. Keep reading to brush up on the dos and don’ts before your next flight.

READ NEXT: Best suitcases

What counts as a ‘liquid’?

You can probably take a pretty good guess as to which things are classed as liquids, but there are a few inclusions that might catch you out. For the avoidance of doubt, here are the main substances that are subject to restrictions on commercial flights to and from the UK.

Whether it’s a can of Coke or a simple bottle of tap water, all drinks come under the category of liquids.

Liquid/semi-liquid foods

Whatever you’re planning to snack on mid-flight – yoghurt, soup or syrup – if it’s not a solid, there will be restrictions.

That said, if you are travelling with a baby, you can take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water as you’ll need for the journey – there is no legal limit to how much you can take. You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby, however the individual containers are not permitted to be larger than 2,000ml. Be advised that security staff may need to open the containers to check their contents.

Things like toothpaste, creams, shampoos, body wash and aerosols, including hairspray and deodorant, are all classed as liquids as far as airport security is concerned.

Antibacterial hand sanitiser has become extremely popular since the COVID-19 pandemic but, as useful as it may be for travelling, it is classed as a liquid. The same also goes for your Brylcreem.

Contact lens solution

If you’re usually a contact lens wearer, it’s always best to wear your glasses when you fly as the dry air in the cabin can wreak havoc on your eyes. But if you must bring your contact lenses aboard, ensure that any accompanying bottles of solution meet the specified liquid allowance.

READ NEXT: Best hand luggage

What are the rules for liquids in hand luggage?

• Any liquids carried onto the plane in hand luggage must be 100ml or under.
• All liquids being transported must fit into a single, clear plastic bag that does not exceed 20 x 20cm.
• Only one plastic bag is permitted per passenger, and you must be able to completely close it.
• The maximum amount of all liquids combined must not exceed one litre per passenger.
• The plastic bag containing your liquids must be removed from your hand luggage and put through security separately.

June 2024 changes

Keep in mind that the rules concerning taking liquids through UK airport security are due to change . The points laid out above still apply for now but it’s expected that, from June 2024 onwards, passengers won’t be required to remove liquids from their hand luggage to pass through airport security, and the 100ml limit for liquids will be increased to 2 litres.

Unfortunately, it appears this lifting of restrictions is unlikely to be implemented UK-wide by the June 2024 deadline. Some major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, have been granted an extension until June 2025 to install the new scanners that will allow the lifting of the restrictions. We advise you to check whether the restrictions are still in place at whichever airport you intend to fly from before you set off.

It’s important to remember that the airport you fly home from might not have these new scanners, so while you may be able to take 2-litre containers out of the country in your hand luggage, you might not be able to bring them back. Check before you travel, and if need be, put your over-capacity liquids in your checked luggage for the return trip.

READ NEXT: Best backpacks

Can I take duty-free liquids onto the plane?

Yes. Feel free to do all the duty-free shopping you want – and that you’re allowed – once you’ve cleared the security gate. The 100ml limit doesn’t apply to liquids purchased here, so big bottles of perfume, spirits and wine are all fair game, no matter the size. Just be sure not to open your duty-free until you’ve arrived at your destination.

Can I bring my medication onto the plane?

Yes. If you have liquid medications – including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers – that exceed 100ml, you are permitted to bring them aboard in your hand luggage as long as you have a doctor’s note or a copy of your prescription.

To summarise, it’s fine to bring liquids in your hand luggage as long as the individual containers don’t exceed 100ml and the total volume doesn’t exceed 1 litre.

That being said, rules are supposed to be relaxing from June 2024 for travel in and out of the UK, so you’ll soon be able to travel with larger amounts.

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Air travel checklist for travel from the UK

Checklist of things you can do to make air travel quicker and easier.

Things you can do before travel, at the airport and on your return to the UK to speed up your journey.

Before arriving at the airport

Check your passport.

You must renew your passport before you can travel if either:

• your passport has expired
• you do not have enough time left on it

Renew or replace your adult passport .

It can take up to 10 weeks to renew your passport.

How much time you need on your passport depends on the country you’re visiting.

If you are traveling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements . Your passport must not be older than 10 years on the date you travel. It must be valid for at least 3 months from the date you intend to return home.

Foreign travel advice gives passport requirements for all countries .

Check your documents

Make sure you have the correct documents for your destination - for example a visa or an ESTA .

Check foreign travel advice for entry requirements .

Arrange any special assistance you may require

Special assistance is available to passengers who may need help to travel, including:

• the elderly
• people with a physical disability, such as wheelchair users
• people who have difficulty with social interaction and communication, such as people with autism or dementia

You should ask for assistance either when you book or at least 48 hours before travel.

Read more about travelling with a disability or reduced mobility on the CAA website .

Check when to arrive at the airport

Check with your airline.

Allow for longer check-in times as airlines may need to check COVID-19 related documents.

Don’t arrive earlier than the earliest time advised by your airline, as this can cause congestion and delays.

At the airport

At check in.

Have the following ready to show to staff when you reach the check-in desk:

• your ticket
• your passport

Check in online

If your airline allows online check in, this can save lots of time.

If you check in online, have your boarding pass and do not have a bag to drop off, you can go straight to airport security.

Get ready for airport security

Carefully pack your bags at home and carry only essential items in hand luggage.

Have your boarding pass ready for inspection – your passport is not required at security.

If you take liquids in your hand luggage, containers must hold no more than 100ml.

Put containers of liquids into a clear resealable plastic bag which holds no more than 1 litre and measures about 20cm x 20cm. Take the plastic bag out of your hand luggage while queueing, ready to put them in the security tray.

Remember that liquids may include items such as make-up, toiletries, hand sanitisers, etc.

Read separate guidance about hand luggage and liquids at airports .

Empty your pockets, take off your coat, watch and belt and remove other metal items when you near the front of the queue so you’re ready to put them in the trays.

You may be asked to remove your shoes, other items of clothing or jewellery before going through the security archway or scanner.

Electrical items such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and hair straighteners should be removed from hand luggage to go through X-ray machines separately.

On your return to the UK

Using egates.

Passengers aged 10 and over with a biometric ePassport from the UK , EU and some other countries can use an eGate when entering the UK .

eGates eligibility and how to use the eGates

Remove your passport from its cover and have it open at the photo page.

Put mobile phones or tablets away before you reach the eGate. Take off hats, headphones, sunglasses and face coverings. Stand on the markings, hold the passport down firmly and keep looking at the camera until it finishes processing.

Check to see if you can use an eGate .

Travelling with children

Stay together when travelling as a family, particularly with children.

If you are not the child’s parent or may appear not to be the parent, it may help to carry evidence of your relationship with the child or the reason why you are travelling with the child. This could include:

• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child
• divorce or marriage certificates if you are the parent but have a different surname to the child
• a letter from the child’s parent/s giving authority for the child to travel with you and providing contact details if you are not the parent

Read about travelling to the UK with children .

Further information on the CAA website

Read further advice about your journey and dealing with travel related problems such as delays and cancellations .

Updated age of eGate users from 12 to 10.

First published.

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Liquids limited to 100ml at UK airports again amid security concerns

A irports have been ordered to once again limit passengers to 100ml of liquid in hand luggage, amid concerns that checks are not secure enough.

Rules limiting passengers to containers no bigger than 100ml were introduced after the government announced in 2006 that it had foiled a terror plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.

New technology has been rolled out at UK airports over the last two years, with new hi-tech scanners meaning passengers could carry up to two litres of liquids.

The new rules mean no airports in the UK will let passengers travel with liquid containers bigger than 100ml, although officials said the crackdown was “temporary”.

A spokesman said: “From 0001 on Sunday 9th June 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation.

“This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers. For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.

“Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling.”

More relaxed rules on liquids had been in place at six airports.

All international airports in Britain were in the process of rolling out the new scanners.

Yet some major airports were set to miss a previous June 1 deadline set by ministers for them to install and commission the new hi-tech scanners.

It is understood that no specific threat has been made that has triggered the fresh crackdown on liquids in hand luggage.

The DfT’s re-imposition of the ban comes immediately ahead of the holiday season, with airlines hoping for a return to pre-pandemic numbers of holidaymakers.

Lifting the 100ml liquids restriction was seen as one of the key post-pandemic improvements tempting families back to air travel.

In early 2023, London City Airport and Teesside International Airport became the first British airports to roll out the cutting-edge scanners , enabling passengers to board flights without removing liquid miniatures from their bags.

Following the old rules being reintroduced from Sunday, passengers at those airports along with Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen and Southend will have to restrict themselves to only bringing 100ml containers of liquids with them.

Airports in other countries have successfully adopted new scanner tech that means passengers can travel with larger amounts of liquids.

Amsterdam Schiphol, Helsinki, Frankfurt, Rome Fiumicino, Milan (both Linate and Malpensa), Cork and Shannon are among the European airports to have rolled out the new technology.

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APH Community > UK Airports Relax Hand Luggage Rules, No More Need for Tiny Toiletries

UK Airports Relax Hand Luggage Rules, No More Need for Tiny Toiletries

Uk airports to relax hand luggage rules in june 2024, new ct x-ray technology to allow travelers to bring more liquids and electronics in carry-on bags.

The UK government has set a deadline of June 2024 for all UK airports to replace their older generation scanners with newer CT X-ray technology. This new technology will allow travellers to bring more liquids and electronics in their carry-on bags.

Currently, passengers are limited to bringing 100ml or less of liquids in their carry-on bags. They must also pack these liquids in a clear, resealable plastic bag. Under the new rules, passengers will be able to bring up to two litters of liquids in their carry-on bags. They will also be able to keep electronics such as laptops and tablets in their bags during security checks.

Some UK airports, such as Teesside International Airport and London City Airport, have already installed the new CT X-ray technology. These airports are already allowing travellers to bring more liquids and electronics in their carry-on bags.

The new rules are expected to make it easier and faster for travellers to get through security. They are also expected to reduce waste, as passengers will no longer need to pack liquids in clear plastic bags.

• Bristol Airport : Passengers can bring one 100ml container of liquid per person.
• Heathrow Airport : Passengers can bring one 100ml container of liquid per person.
• London City Airport: Passengers can bring up to two litters of liquids in their carry-on bags.
• Liverpool Airport: Passengers can bring one 100ml container of liquid per person.
• Teesside International Airport: Passengers can bring up to two litters of liquids in their carry-on bags.

Under the new rules, passengers will be able to bring up to two liters of liquids in their carry-on bags. They will also be able to keep electronics such as laptops and tablets in their bags during security checks.

The maximum size for hand luggage is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including wheels, handles and external pockets. The maximum weight for hand luggage is 10kg.

All liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols must be in containers of 100ml or less and should be placed into one transparent, re-sealable, airtight bag (maximum size: 20cm x 20cm).

Baby food and products are an exception. All baby food and liquid are allowed to be carried in hold luggage with no restrictions.

If you exceed the liquid limit, you will need to either check your liquids in your hold luggage or dispose of them at the security checkpoint.

The new hand luggage rules will make it easier for passengers to travel with their belongings. They will also reduce the amount of time that passengers spend waiting in security lines.

The new hand luggage rules will be implemented gradually at UK airports. All airports are expected to be compliant by the end of 2023.

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Liquids restrictions “temporarily” reinstated at UK airports - Air Travel Forum

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Liquids restrictions “temporarily” reinstated at UK airports

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Posting as the topic comes up fairly regularly here. The UK government has “temporarily” reinstated the 100ml container / max 1 litre bag (3-1-1 rule) restrictions at airports across the UK, effective tomorrow, 9 June 2024

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clmm97x3yvmo

8 replies to this topic

Having to stop their use in 6 airports suggests they don't work properly welcome to Britiain

I'm not surprised.... having the restrictions lifted at some airports but not others was causing quite a bit of confusion. It would have been better to wait until everybody had the new scanners.

#2 I suspect very few would have had to chuck stuff ( some may have had problems with duty free but they would have had that anyway).

In no way does the idea of possible confusion ring true with me No far more likely as I said they do not work properly

We can’t do any more than speculate as to the reason at this point. I can’t imagine there are that many companies who make these scanners, so you’d expect hardware failure to have implications beyond the UK. Unless, that is, there were a post-Brexit government mandate to use a brand new British company to make them, and a company who’d never made anything more complex than a bicycle (but were owned by a minister’s relative) got the contracts 😉

Same goes for a potential security threat, that would likely go beyond the UK. I would lean towards something related to staff training and/or potential traveller confusion due to a mixture of policies, particularly with the summer holiday period coming up, with far more inexperienced / infrequent travellers at airports.

Of course, my speculation here is no more informed or likely to be correct that anybody else’s…

Alistair, I thought I was reading the Thailand forum for a moment!

And the theater continues

If you believe this is actually protecting you I have a bridge for sale. It’s doing slightly better in the UK than anywhere else because in the UK at least they make crews follow the rule but of course if you’re anywhere else in the world, everyone works the airport, etc., is exempt because they’re all safe. 😂 Research who the liquid bomb platters were

Despite the rather neutral excuses for why the regs have been reinstated, I'm sure there's more to this like security intelligence.

It won't make any difference to me, I continue to pack hand luggage with a clear bag of compliant sized containers just in case these things suddenly get enforced again anywhere and I had not noticed any alerts.

“ It won't make any difference to me, I continue to pack hand luggage with a clear bag of compliant sized containers just in case these things suddenly get enforced again anywhere and I had not noticed any alerts.”

In any case, if you travel hand luggage only, as I do, then you need to consider what happens on the return journey if the airport you’re departing from still operates the 100ml in 1 litre bags rule.

So often I see people buying duty free bottles of cologne well over the 100ml limit. Looking at the bags they’re carting it’s pretty clear they haven’t checked any luggage so I hope they’re prepared for either checking a bag on their return journey or throwing away what’s left of their expensive cologne.

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Liquids Rule

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.

Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.

• Medications
• Infant and child nourishments

Inbound International Flights

You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if:

• The duty free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
• The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
• The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.

The items inside the secure, tamper-evident bags must be screened and cleared. Any item that alarms or is unable to be screened will not be permitted in your carry-on bag. We recommend packing all liquids, gels, and aerosols that are over 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your checked baggage, even if they are in a secure, tamper-evident bag.