The UK’s airport liquid rules for 2025
Some UK airports have scrapped the 100ml airport liquid rule restriction, with passengers now able to take liquids of up to two litres through airport security.
Passengers travelling through Edinburgh and Birmingham can now keep liquids in their hand luggage or cabin bag when going through airport security, including bottles and containers containing up to 2L of liquid. There is no limit on the number of two-litre bottles you can carry.
Both airports have now fully introduced new CT scanners, which have passed government checks.
At most other UK airports, you can also keep your liquids in your hand luggage or cabin bag at airport security, thanks to new scanners, but the 100ml liquid limit remains.
But at some airports, including Heathrow, you will still need to remove liquids from your baggage and put them through the security scanner separately. They do have the latest scanners in some lanes, but not all, so passengers should assume they must follow the old liquid rules unless told otherwise.
Whichever airport you are travelling from this summer, it's crucial you check the rules on liquids in the days before you travel.
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What do new security scanners mean for liquid rules?
The new CT scanners give security staff a 3D image 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 remove your coat and items such as belts with buckles before walking through the metal detector arch.
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The 100ml rule for liquids at airports in 2025 - and where you can take 2L
Some airports, like Edinburgh and Birmingham, have now fully implemented new CT scanners at airport security. That means you can keep liquids of up to 2L inside your cabin bag. There is no limit on how many 2L bottles or containers you can take through.
At most UK airports, the 100ml liquid rule remains in place but more airports should roll out the CT scanner and 2L rule through the summer.
How do I know which rules to follow at airport security?
This summer may be confusing, as different airports and even different queues within the same airport may have varying rules.
Some airports – Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester – 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.
Will the new scanners mean security queues are faster?
Airports have promised that the new technology will reduce queues. One of the first to introduce the CT scanners, London City, said that it has seen improvements in the pace of queues.
However, the sensitivity of the new scanners means that many people find that their bags must be searched by hand after passing through the scanner. This is because ordinary objects, such as certain kinds of bottles or food products, among other things, can trigger a manual search.
If you're a regular traveller who finds your bag is frequently hand-checked, you could ask security staff which items are setting off the scanners – in order to leave them behind next time, or pack them in hold luggage. That way, you should pass security more quickly.
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Do you still have to put liquids in plastic bags at UK airports in 2025?
Of the biggest airports, this is only the case in some security lanes at Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester. Manchester Airport Group (which also owns Stansted) told us that it has the new scanners in place on most of its security lanes. However, passengers will still need to be prepared to take liquids out of their hand luggage, as the new scanners are not yet in use across the whole airport.
How many 100ml bottles can I take in hand luggage?
At most airports, there's no limit on the number of bottles you can take with you. Check the rules on the airport's website.
Which airports have scrapped the 100ml rule?
Edinburgh and Birmingham have scrapped the 100ml rule.
What happens at overseas airports?
It's important to remember that you may not be able to leave liquids or electrical items in your bag on your return trip. While there are some exceptions, at most airports in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain – as well as the US – you will need to remove liquids from your hand luggage and put them in a clear plastic bag. At Palma de Mallorca airport, you can leave liquids up to 100ml in your bag, but this is not yet possible at other Spanish airports.
Check the rules on the airport website before you travel.
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