What are the new airport rules UK?

Passengers are currently required to remove tablets, laptops and liquids from their cabin baggage, while liquids have been limited to 100ml and must be in a clear plastic bag. This requirement will eventually be lifted, and the 100ml liquid container limit will be extended to 2 litres.



In 2026, the most significant change in UK airport rules is the lifting of the 100ml liquid restriction at major hubs like London Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Thanks to a £1bn investment in advanced CT (computed tomography) scanners, passengers at these upgraded terminals can now carry up to two liters of liquids in their hand luggage and are no longer required to remove laptops or tablets for separate screening. However, it is a "split" system; some airports like Stansted, Luton, and Manchester still strictly enforce the old 100ml rule and the use of clear plastic bags while they complete their equipment rollouts. Travelers must also be aware that vacuum flasks or double-walled metal containers must still be emptied, as the scanners cannot penetrate the insulation. Because rules vary by terminal and airport in 2026, the official advice remains to check the specific guidelines for both your departure and arrival airports to ensure a seamless security experience.

People Also Ask

London City Airport has scrapped the 100ml liquid limit by using high-tech scanners which also allow electronics to be kept in hand luggage at security.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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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.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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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.

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It's one of the most frustrating things about traveling by plane, but at two U.K. airports it is no longer necessary to follow the rule that all liquids must be in containers less than 100ml—and like an increasing number of airports around the world, all other U.K. airports will follow, with a deadline of June 2024.

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Generally speaking, you are allowed to take as much as you need with you in your hand luggage. There is no limit to how many paracetamol tablets you can take with you, whether it is prescribed or not. Of course, this may vary between different airlines.

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The Bottom Line. Chapstick, lipstick, and solid lip balms are not considered liquids by the TSA and can be thrown into your handbag or carry-on without any issues. Liquid lip gloss, jars of petroleum lip balm, and other lip care liquids must be placed in your clear liquids bag for security checkpoint screening.

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Place laptops and large electrical items separately in a tray. Put coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in your coat or hand baggage. Place your hand baggage and coat into a tray. Place any liquid items (important: see 'Liquids - 100ml rule' above), correctly bagged, into the tray.

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Taking liquids through security
  • all drinks, including water.
  • liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups.
  • cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss.
  • sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants.
  • pastes, including toothpaste.


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Stick deodorant is fine in any size. Well, almost any size… Powders and crystals are good to go as well. Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

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Toothpaste is considered a liquid by the TSA (Transport Security Agency), even though it's technically a paste. In fact, all pastes, gels, waxes, and lotions are also classified as liquids. And even today, these substances are still restricted by the 3-1-1 rule in hand luggage due to safety threats.

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TSA considers tweezers to be completely safe, so they're allowed on planes. You can pack tweezers in hand or checked baggage without any packing restrictions. But TSA doesn't allow packing sharp objects in hand baggage because some of them could be used as potential weapons.

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Yes! You can bring a hair straightener in your carry-on luggage or checked baggage on a flight. However, if you do not have a TSA approved travel adapter, you should check with your airline before traveling to ensure that they allow you to take a straightener in your carry on bag or checked bag.

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You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

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Alcohol in Carry-On Bags Mini liquor bottles are typically 1.7 oz and meet this limit. Pack as many mini bottles as fit comfortably in one quart-sized zip-top bag. With airplane shooter sizes ranging from 50ml to 200ml, you could fit 8-24 mini bottles in that quart bag if you max it out.

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