UK airport liquid rules for February 2025 – what can you take on a plane?

We all know not to bring sharp items on planes when travelling, as well as to take off boots or belts at the security scanner.

However, when it comes to liquids in your hand luggage, it’s hard to keep track of what you can and can’t pack.

While some UK airports briefly scrapped their liquid ruleslast year, restrictions were then brought back on a temporary basis – but it is unclear when these will be relaxed again.

Similarly, several EU airports also relaxed their rules, but the 100ml liquids restriction has since been reintroduced there too, due to technical issues.

Meanwhile, some UK airports no longer need liquids to be presented in clear plastic bags – but not all.

So, which liquids and of what size can you take on a plane today?

What size liquids can you take on a plane?

If possible, you should pack your liquids into your checked luggage. But if you’re taking liquids in a carry-on bag or hand luggage, they need to be in a container that holds no more than 100ml.

Restrictions on liquid sizes for carry-on bags apply worldwide, so you should prep what you’re taking ahead of time to avoid delays at security.

Avoid taking liquids in larger containers, even if there’s less than 100ml left in the bottle or tub, as these won’t be permitted in your carry-on luggage.

Those flying with only a carry-on bag can buy travel-size containers—or reuse small sample bottles—to decant liquids into.

Remember to check the rules for each airport before you travel to ensure compliance.

What liquids can you take on a plane?

Any liquids that aren’t compliant with airport security rules won’t be allowed through the checkpoint, and you’ll be asked to throw them away.

Can I bring duty-free liquids onto the plane?

Once you’ve gone through security, you’ll be greeted by an array of spirits and perfumes in quantities way above the 100ml marker at duty-free.

Because these items are purchased in the secure departures area of the airport, duty-free liquids aren’t subject to the same restrictions as those you bring yourself.

The quantity you can purchase may be dependent on the country of travel, so check before you go if you’re planning on a big stock-up.

There are stipulations, too, on how to board with duty-free.

Items must be sealed inside a security bag when you buy them, with the accompanying receipt sealed and visible inside.

It’s also worth checking ahead of time whether you can go between connecting flights with duty-free liquids.

You may need to go through security again at your connecting location, so find out whether the airport has any specific transfer checks in place.

Are there exemptions for taking liquid on planes?

Certain liquids aren’t subject to the same 100ml hand luggage limit. These include:

• Liquids for essential medical purposes
• Liquids for special dietary requirements
• Baby food or baby milk

Those who are medically exempt must show supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional (such as a doctor’s letter or a copy of a prescription).

Baby food is allowed in hand luggage as long as a baby is present, but breast milk must be in containers of no more than two litres. Frozen breast milk is not permitted to be taken in hand luggage.

In general, it’s always best to take a look at the website of the airports you’re travelling from. That way you can ensure you’re adhering to any guidelines and won’t be stopped by security as you head off on holiday.

When will the 100ml rule be changing?

There is no set date for when the rules around carry-on liquids will change.

Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports had previously scrapped the 100ml liquid rule after introducing high-tech new scanners, but previous restrictions have since been re-introduced.

The Department for Transport said at the time that the reintroduction of the previous limits is designed to ‘enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems.’

The government had previously set a deadline of June 2024 for all UK airports to have the new scanners installed and in use, but several airports – namely London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airport – faced delays. 

Why are there rules on flying with liquids?

Those who flew pre-9/11 will remember how different air travel was back then.

There were very few limits on what you could bring onto the plane, and even knives (up to four inches in length) were permitted.

All that changed following the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, in which suspects had planned to smuggle explosives through airport security in soft drink bottles.

Authorities in the UK and US immediately banned all liquids except baby milk in hand luggage.

The ban was then relaxed in November of that year, to allow for liquids in quantities of 100ml or less to be carried on board as long as they were packed in a clear plastic bag and removed from luggage before screening.

Since then, most other countries have also adopted the same restrictions.

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