Liquid restrictions on flights
Read up on the government's official advice, preferably before you've packed your suitcase!
We’ve all experienced some form of humiliation at airport security. If we’re not throwing away litre bottles of water, you’ll find us scrabbling around the bottom of our handbags to retrieve lip balms and hand creams (who knew they were classed as liquids?). So to spare ourselves any more embarrassment, we consulted the government’s official advice on the liquids in hand luggage sitation. Here’s what we learnt…
Liquids include...
● All drinks, including water
● Liquid or semi-liquid foods, eg soup and syrups
● Cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
● Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
● Pastes, including toothpaste
● Gels
● Contact lens solution
● Any other solutions and items of similar consistency
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage...
● Containers must hold no more than 100ml
● Containers should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
● Contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
● The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top
● You’re limited to one plastic bag per person
● You must show the bag at the airport security point
Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally can’t go through security even if the container is only part full.
Exemptions
You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security if they...
● ...are for essential medical purposes or special dietary requirements - you’re allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage, but you need supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription). The same applies for gel packs.
● ...contain baby food or baby milk - when travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. In some cases this will be over 100ml.
In both cases, airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point.
You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (eg duty free) through security if...
● ...the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
● ...the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible
You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.
Liquid restrictions outside the EU
Countries outside the EU might have different rules on carrying liquids as a transit or transfer passenger so check these with the relevant airlines before travelling. Airport security staff won’t let anything through they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.
Lighters
You can only carry 1 lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag, which must be kept on you for the duration of the flight. You can’t:
● Put it in your hold luggage
● Put it in your hand luggage after screening
For more information about hand luggage restrictions at UK airports, visit www.gov.uk.
You might also like...
Know your airline's baggage allowance
Know your duty-free shopping limits in the UK
Pre-flight packing advice: hand baggage or hold?
