The UK’s airport liquid rules for 2025
The majority of UK airports now allow you to leave liquids in your hand luggage when you go through security – with a limit of 100ml – but that limit is expected to rise before the summer holidays.
It's hoped that some UK airports that already have the new scanners will be able to scrap the 100ml liquid rule by as soon as the end of June, but that will only be the case if they have the latest scanners and have passed government checks.
Of the 20 biggest UK airports by passenger numbers only Heathrow, Manchester and Stansted will still make you put your toothpaste or other liquids into clear plastic bags at some security lanes.
They do have the latest scanners on some lanes, but not all, so passengers should assume they have to follow the old liquid rules unless told otherwise.
We've asked them when they will introduce the latest scanners on all lanes.
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What do new security scanners mean for liquid rules?
The new CT 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.
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The 100ml rule for liquids at airports in 2025
Even at airports with the new CT scanners, passengers are still required to stick to the 100ml rule until told otherwise. It's hoped that this limit will be significantly increased before the summer holidays.
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 ordered that the 100ml restriction on liquids be reintroduced. The resulting confusion caused long queues at Birmingham Airport, one of the first major airports to introduce the new scanners, with some passengers even missing their flights.
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 would make queues faster. One of the first to introduce the CT scanners, London City, did say that it had seen improvements in the pace of queues.
However, the sensitivity of the new scanners means that many people find that their bags have to 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 quicker.
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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 on 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 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?
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.
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 take liquids out of 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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