The information below is a guide only; please check the Department for Transport website, which will have all recent updates. Make sure you also check with your airline which may have different rules. If you are catching connecting flights, you should be aware of airport restrictions regarding carry-on luggage at other airports during your journey.
Below is a guide to the requirements and advice to help passengers pass through the security check as quickly as possible.
Passenger requirements LiquidsSome liquids will be allowed once again through airport security check points. There will, however, be restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through.
Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers, each of which with a capacity not greater than 100ml.
These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cms x 20cms). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids.
The bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point.
Liquids that cannot be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into the hold luggage and checked in. Liquids of any amount can still be carried in luggage checked into the aircraft hold.
Remember that 'Liquids' includes:*All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
*Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc
*Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
*Pastes, including toothpastes
*Gels, including hair and shower gel
*Any other solutions and items of similar consistency
MedicinesEssential medicines and baby food may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit, but will be subject to the authentication that is already currently required.
Cabin baggage and size allowedEach passenger is restricted to carrying only one item (in addition to the re-sealable liquids bag) through the airport search point with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. The weight of the bag may vary from airline to airline.
Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.
Laptops / electrical itemsLaptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) will still have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.
Outsize itemsAll items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size (maximum length 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm) must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold. Musical instruments will, as an exception, be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, but will need to be screened and passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments will be required.
Preparing for your journeyPassengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible:
Before you arrive at the airport*Limit quantities to what you may need in the cabin for the duration of the flight.
*When possible, put liquids in hold baggage.
*Prepare the re-sealable bag of liquids before arriving at the airport.
*Check any queries you have with your airport or airline before travelling to the airport.
At the security pointBe ready to hand over your re-sealable bag of liquids for screening as you approach the security check point. It will be screened at the same time as your cabin luggage.
All coats and jackets will have to be removed ready to be screened and metal items including wallets will be placed in plastic trays and scanned separately.
If you are carrying a Laptop or any other large electrical item within your cabin luggage then please have it ready for separate screening as you approach the security check.
Duty-free / departure lounge purchases may take on board liquid items of any size purchased after the security check in the departure lounge (sometimes called 'Airside'). Duty free or similar purchases will be given to you in a special sealed bag. Do not open this bag until you have reached your final destination. You should also retain your proof of purchase throughout your journey. You will be required to show it at all transfer points. Please note restrictions apply to duty free purchases made on return journeys where passengers change flights at an EU airport.
Returning to or via the UKTravelling from an airport in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland: The arrangements outlined above will apply, except that larger cabin bags will be permitted on a transitional basis until April 2007.
Travelling from an airport in any other countryLocal arrangements will apply.
Special information for transit passengersIf your journey involves changing flights at any EU airport, special restrictions apply. You may only take duty free purchases through the security check point at your connecting airport if they have been purchased at another EU airport, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier. You will need to show proof of purchase to demonstrate this. Purchases from other airports or on board other airlines may only be carried as hold baggage on the connecting flight.
The member states of the European Union are:Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.