As a guide, anything larger than A5 size or an iPad mini needs to be placed in a tray with nothing covering it up. If you can spray, spread or pour something at room temperature, it counts as a liquid in aviation security terms. This includes aerosols such as asthma inhalers and foodstuffs, like butter or jam.

At airport security in 2026, what you place in the trays depends on whether the airport has installed new CT scanners. At airports without the new scanners, you must place all liquids, gels, and aerosols (limited to 100ml) into a clear, quart-sized plastic bag and place that bag separately in the tray. You must also remove large electronics like laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles. Outerwear, such as heavy coats, jackets, and hats, along with belts featuring metal buckles and bulky jewelry, must also go in the tray. Even smaller items like keys, coins, and mobile phones should be emptied from your pockets to avoid triggering metal detectors. At airports with the new 3D scanners, the process is much simpler: you can generally leave your liquids and electronics inside your bag. However, you will still be required to remove your shoes (unless in a TSA PreCheck lane), heavy jackets, and any large metal items. Always watch the monitors or listen to the security officers, as requirements can change based on the specific equipment and security level of the day.