Last updated: July 14, 2026
If you are flying from the UK this year, the airport liquid rules are more confusing than ever — because they now depend on which airport you fly from. Some airports have scrapped the old 100ml limit and let you carry up to 2 litres; others still enforce 100ml. Here is the up-to-date, airport-by-airport breakdown for 2026, including the catch that trips travellers up on the way home.
Quick answer
- 2-litre airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham (plus Bristol and the Belfast airports) — their new CT scanners let you carry liquids up to 2 litres.
- Still 100ml: Manchester, Luton, Stansted, Liverpool and Glasgow.
- Everywhere: at major UK airports you can now leave liquids in your bag — no clear plastic bag needed.
- The catch: a 500ml bottle allowed leaving Heathrow can be refused on your return or transfer through a 100ml airport.
- Vacuum flasks and metal bottles must still be emptied, even at 2-litre airports.
UK airport liquid rules 2026 at a glance
| Airport | Liquid limit | Remove from bag? | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | 2 litres | No | Jul 2026 | Heathrow |
| Gatwick | 2 litres | No | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Edinburgh | 2 litres | No | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Birmingham | 2 litres | No | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Bristol & Belfast | 2 litres | No | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Manchester | 100ml | No (keep in bag) | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Luton | 100ml | No (keep in bag) | Jul 2026 | Which? |
| Stansted | 100ml | No (keep in bag) | Jul 2026 | Stansted |
| Liverpool & Glasgow | 100ml | No (keep in bag) | Jul 2026 | Liverpool |
Every row was individually re-checked on 14 July 2026 against the airport’s official security guidance and the Which? scanner tracker. The rollout is ongoing, so an airport on the 100ml list may move to 2 litres at short notice — always check your specific airport before you fly.
Heathrow liquid rules
Heathrow has scrapped the 100ml limit. After a major investment in 3D CT scanners across its terminals, Heathrow liquid rules now allow containers up to 2 litres in your hand luggage, and you no longer need to take liquids or electronics out of your bag at security. That means a full-size sun cream, a 1-litre water bottle or larger toiletries are fine when flying from Heathrow.
Manchester Airport liquid rules
Manchester is the big exception travellers ask about. As of 2026, Manchester Airport liquid rules still enforce the 100ml per-container limit — its CT scanner rollout has not yet passed the checks needed to lift the cap. The one bit of good news: you no longer have to remove your liquids from your cabin bag or place them in a clear plastic pouch. So pack within 100ml per container at Manchester, but you can leave them in your bag.
Which UK airports allow 2 litres of liquid?
The airports that have completed their CT scanner upgrades and passed government checks now allow up to 2 litres per container: Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham, with Bristol and the Belfast airports among others that have also lifted the limit. At these airports, liquids and laptops stay in your bag.
Which UK airports still use the 100ml rule?
Several major airports still enforce 100ml: Manchester, Luton, Stansted, Liverpool and Glasgow. At all of these you can keep liquids inside your cabin bag without a plastic bag, but each container must hold no more than 100ml.
The catch: your return or transfer airport
This is the part that catches people out. The rules apply to the airport you are leaving from, not your whole trip. A 500ml bottle you happily carried through Heathrow can be confiscated at your destination or transfer airport if it still uses the 100ml rule. So if your return or connecting airport is on the 100ml list, pack as if the 100ml limit applies to avoid losing items.
Rule of thumb: if any airport on your trip still uses 100ml, play it safe and keep liquids to 100ml containers for the whole journey.
Other things worth knowing
- Vacuum flasks must be emptied — the scanners cannot see through the double insulation, even at 2-litre airports.
- Metal water bottles should be emptied before security too.
- Baby milk, formula and medication are allowed in larger quantities at all UK airports — declare them at security.
- Airline cabin-bag limits still apply to the size and weight of your bag, separately from the security liquid rules.
- Allow time for security regardless — queues vary — and plan your arrival with our Airport Arrival Time Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What are the liquid rules at Heathrow Airport?
Heathrow now allows liquid containers up to 2 litres in hand luggage, and you do not need to remove liquids or electronics from your bag, thanks to its new 3D CT scanners.
What are the liquid rules at Manchester Airport?
Manchester Airport still enforces the 100ml per-container limit in 2026. You can keep liquids in your cabin bag without a plastic pouch, but each container must be 100ml or less.
Which UK airports allow 2 litres of liquid?
Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham, plus Bristol and the Belfast airports, among others that have finished their CT scanner rollouts.
Which UK airports still use the 100ml rule?
Manchester, Luton, Stansted, Liverpool and Glasgow still apply the 100ml limit, although you can keep liquids in your bag.
Do I still need a clear plastic bag for liquids?
No. At major UK airports you no longer need to put liquids in a transparent plastic bag, whether the airport uses the 100ml or 2-litre rule.
Can I leave liquids in my cabin bag now?
Yes. At all major UK airports you can leave liquids (and laptops) inside your cabin bag at security, because the new scanners produce a 3D image.
Has the 100ml rule been scrapped at every UK airport?
No. Only airports that have completed and passed their CT scanner checks have lifted it. Others, including Manchester and Luton, still use 100ml.
What happens on my return or transfer flight?
The rules apply to the airport you depart from. A larger bottle allowed from a 2-litre airport like Heathrow may be refused at a return or transfer airport that still uses 100ml, so pack to the strictest airport on your trip.
Can I take a vacuum flask through security?
You can take the flask, but it must be empty. The scanners cannot see through the double-walled insulation, so a filled flask will be refused even at a 2-litre airport.
What about baby milk and medication?
Baby milk, formula and essential medication are allowed in larger quantities at all UK airports. Declare them to security staff, who may screen them separately.
Why do different UK airports have different liquid rules?
The difference comes down to the rollout of new 3D CT scanners. Airports that have installed them and passed government checks can lift the 100ml limit; others have not finished yet.
Do airlines have their own liquid limits?
Airlines set the size and weight of your cabin bag, but the liquid limit at security is set by the airport. Both apply, so check your airline’s hand-luggage allowance separately.
Will the UK liquid rules change again in 2026?
Likely yes. More airports are expected to lift the 100ml limit as their scanner upgrades pass checks, so confirm your airport’s current rule shortly before you travel.
Sources
Every airport’s status in the table above was re-verified on 14 July 2026 against official airport security guidance and independent consumer reporting, including Which?, Heathrow, Stansted and Liverpool. The 100ml-to-2-litre rollout is signed off airport by airport by the Department for Transport, so rules can change at short notice — confirm your specific airport shortly before you travel.
Reviewed by Muhammad Umar Khan
Founder and editor of TripBuffer. Reviewed against official airport, airline and transport-provider information. For our research standards, see the Editorial Policy.