UK Airport Liquid Rules 2026: Where the 100ml Limit Has Gone
By The Aviation Hub
6 min read
Updated October 11, 2026 
At least six UK airports now let you carry containers of up to two litres through security, but most still enforce 100ml, and the airport you fly home from may be stricter dependent on airport liquid rules.
The 100ml liquid limit has gone at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Belfast City, where each container in your hand luggage can now hold up to two litres. Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Glasgow, Newcastle, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen and Southampton still apply 100ml.
These details were checked against each airport’s own website and GOV.UK in October 2026. The government’s guidance on liquids still says that at most airports you cannot take containers larger than 100ml through security, even if the container is only part full. It tells passengers to check the rules for each airport on their route.
Which Airports Have Lifted the 100ml Limit
Heathrow’s hand baggage page says you can carry liquids in containers of up to 2 litres through security at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, without removing them from your bag. The airport announced on 23 January 2026 that CT scanners had replaced the old security lanes across all four terminals.
Gatwick says liquids can now be brought through security in containers of up to two litres. Edinburgh’s security guidance, last updated on 7 July 2025, sets the same limit of 2 litres per container and lets you bring more than one.
In terms of UK airport liquid rules at Birmingham, they allow containers of up to 2 litres with no limit on how many you carry, and asks passengers to leave them loose in the bag rather than in plastic bags. Bristol gives a maximum of 2 litres per container, and Belfast City says liquids of 2 litres or less no longer need a transparent bag.
Reusable bottles are the catch. Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Bristol all say metal, insulated or double walled bottles must go through security empty, and Birmingham accepts insulated bottles only when completely empty. Heathrow and Edinburgh both note that you can refill them after security.
Where UK Airport Liquid Rules Still Mean 100ml
Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands all keep the 100ml limit. Their security pages were last updated in April 2026, September 2026 and April 2026 respectively. Each says liquids under 100ml can stay in your hand luggage, and Manchester and East Midlands confirm a plastic bag is no longer needed.
Luton requires every container to be under 100ml or 100g, with no plastic bag. Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton each allow containers of 100ml or less to stay in cabin baggage without a liquid bag. Newcastle also limits containers to 100ml.
Leeds Bradford applies 100ml too, but its own pages disagree on the detail. Its security page asks for a resealable one litre bag with liquids and electronics taken out, while its security FAQ says to keep liquids and electronics in your hand luggage. Take a clear bag and follow the instructions on the day.
Belfast International is the hardest to call. Its security page still describes a 100ml limit, with liquids in one transparent one litre bag and laptops, tablets and other electronic devices taken out of hand luggage, but it carries no date. Which?, on 23 January 2026, and the Yorkshire Post, on 14 July 2026, both list it among the airports that have moved to two litres. Pack to 100ml unless the airport confirms the higher limit before you travel.
The current position at Liverpool John Lennon and London City was not clear from the airports’ own published guidance when checked. If you are flying from either of those two, read the airport’s security page shortly before you travel rather than relying on any list.
Why the Rule at Your Return Airport May Differ from UK Airport Liquid Rules
A two litre allowance belongs to the airport, not to your ticket. Gatwick states that not all airports have the same equipment and that its rules apply only to passengers departing from Gatwick. Edinburgh Airport’s announcement of the change tells passengers to check security rules at their return destination, and Belfast City gives the same advice for returning and connecting journeys.
In practice, a large bottle of sun cream that leaves Heathrow in your cabin bag may have to come home in a hold bag. Where an airport still asks for a liquids bag, GOV.UK describes it as a single transparent, resealable bag that holds no more than a litre and measures about 20cm by 20cm.
Laptops and Electronics at Security
The airports with the higher limit also let electronics stay put. Heathrow tells passengers to leave laptops, tablets and other large electronic devices in the bag. Gatwick says the same of laptops and tablets, although it adds that you may still be asked to remove them for separate screening.
Many 100ml airports have dropped the tray routine as well. Manchester says electrical items can be left in your hand luggage, Luton’s security guide says liquids and large electronics can now stay in your bag, and Glasgow, Aberdeen, Southampton and Newcastle give similar advice.
One rule has not changed anywhere. The government’s guidance on electronic devices says devices must be charged before you travel, and a device that does not switch on when requested will not be allowed onto the aircraft.
Baby Milk and Medicine Exemptions
Some liquids are exempt at every UK airport. GOV.UK says containers of up to 2 litres are allowed through security if they are for essential medical purposes, for special dietary requirements, or contain baby food or baby milk.
The baby food and baby milk rules allow enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey when you travel with a baby. Breast milk can be carried without the baby present, in containers of no more than 2,000ml, but frozen breast milk cannot go in hand luggage.
For essential medicines, liquid medicine in a container over 100ml needs proof that it is prescribed to you, such as a letter from your doctor or a copy of the prescription. Staff may open containers to screen the contents.
The Bottom Line
Check two airports, not one. If both your departure airport and your return airport have confirmed a two litre limit, you can pack full size toiletries in your hand luggage. If either one still enforces 100ml, pack to the stricter rule or put larger bottles in the hold.
The list is still moving, so read the airport’s security page in the week you fly. Empty your water bottle before the queue, keep devices charged, and carry a prescription or doctor’s letter for any liquid medicine over 100ml.
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