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Join Which? TravelThe UK’s airport liquid rules in 2025: clear plastic bags, luggage liquid limits and the 100ml rule
London Gatwick is the latest airport to change its liquid rules due to upgraded security scanners. But rules around liquids in hand luggage still differ between UK airports
Here’s what to expect if you’re flying from an airport with new scanners in 2025.
Nine UK airports, including Gatwick, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle are now equipped with next-generation CT scanners, which means passengers can leave liquids of up to 100ml in their bags, along with electrical items such as laptops, tablets and e-readers.
Most airports missed the original government deadline of June 2024 to install new, upgraded security scanners.
The new deadline for airports to switch fully to new scanners is June 2025, but currently only London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Luton, Newcastle, Southend, Teesside are using them.
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What do new security scanners mean for liquid rules?
The new scanners give security staff a 3D picture of a bag, which means passengers no longer need to remove electronics or liquids from cabin bags. When fully functional, passengers can pack liquids up to two litres in size. The only caveat is that liquids in vacuum flasks must be poured out, as the new scanners can’t penetrate the double layer of insulation.
You can also leave your laptop or other electronic items inside your bag at airport security when the new scanners are in place and functioning. However, you’ll still need to take off your coat and remove items such as belts with buckles before walking through the metal detector arch.
New CT scanners will ultimately replace X-ray machines at all UK airports, but the roll-out has been slow. Most airports missed the government deadline to introduce the scanners by summer 2024.
Even those that had successfully introduced the scanners were asked by the government to reintroduce the 100ml rule in 2024.
The 100ml rule for liquids in 2025
Even at airports with the new CT scanners, passengers are still required to stick to the 100ml rule. It’s not clear how long this restriction will stay in place across UK airports.
In 2024, upgraded scanners in some airports originally meant passengers no longer had to limit toiletries to 100ml or remove items such as toothpaste and deodorant from their cabin bags, and put them into a clear plastic bag in the security queue. Instead, any liquids up to two litres could remain inside bags.
However, in June 2024, the Department for Transport has ordered that the 100ml restriction on liquids be reintroduced at all six airports (Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside), although these can remain inside luggage and don't need to be placed in a separate plastic bag.
How do I know which rules to follow at airport security?
This spring and summer may be confusing, as different airports and even different queues within the same airport may have varying rules.
Some airports are rolling out the new CT scanners lane by lane at security, which means you may not find out whether you need to remove liquids and electronics until the last moment.
This can cause delays, as passengers have to unpack or repack liquids at the last minute.
In our most recent airport survey, passengers reported that Birmingham Airport and Manchester Airport have the longest average queues at airport security.
Do you still have to put liquids in plastic bags in 2025?
Some airports with new CT scanners now allow passengers to leave liquids in their hand luggage as long as they’re under the 100ml limit. We’ve listed those airports below.
How many 100ml bottles can I take in hand luggage?
This depends on the airport you’re travelling from. Some airports, which we’ve flagged below, don’t cap the number of 100ml bottles you’re allowed to carry in hand luggage.
Which airports have scrapped the 100ml rule?
None, yet. The 100ml rule is still in place across the UK, following an order from the Department of Transport in June 2024. Only when this is lifted, will airports with fully functioning scanners be able to scrap this rule.
Heading on holiday and need new luggage? Discover the best cabin bag brands, as rated by Which? readers
Aberdeen airport liquid rules
Aberdeen airport currently says you’ll still need to place liquids in a transparent plastic bag with an air tight seal that’s 20 x 20cm (8 x 8in) in size, with a limit of 1 litre. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Birmingham airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Bristol airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Edinburgh airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Gatwick airport liquid rules at security
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Heathrow airport liquid rules
Heathrow Airport is one of the airports rolling out the new scanners lane by lane, but this won’t be complete until later in 2025.
On its website, it explains: 'Until Heathrow has upgraded all security screening equipment and processes, passengers should prepare for security as normal.'
You’ll need to put all 100ml liquids in a clear plastic bag capped at 1 litre and remove it from your suitcase while going through security, along with electrical items.
Find out how Which? readers rated Heathrow Airport in a recent survey.
Leeds Bradford airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Leeds Bradford does still advise passengers to 'continue to pack as many liquids as possible in their hold baggage and only carry in their hand baggage what is required for the flight'.
London City airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Luton airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can bring in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Newcastle airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Southend airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Teesside airport liquid rules
New airport scanners are in place. No limit on the amount of 100ml liquids you can leave in your hand luggage and you can leave them in your hand baggage, with no clear plastic bag needed. Leave electrical items in your bag.
Read more about which airports have the longest security queues in our latest survey.
