United Kingdom airport liquid rules
22 airports · 16 with verified rules · 6 unknown
It depends on the airport. Edinburgh, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Teesside allow up to 2 litres per container. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and Luton still enforce the 100ml rule. On a return trip, pack to the strictest airport on your itinerary.
Rule basis: The UK Department for Transport allows individual airports to switch to a 2L allowance once next-gen CT scanners are fully installed. Some UK airports have completed the switch; several major hubs have not.
What to do: Pack to the stricter rule on a return trip — the airport you fly home from sets the limit, not the airline.
Liquid Limits is a travel planning tool, not an official aviation source. Always confirm with the airport before you travel.
Traveller warning: the airport you depart from sets the rule, not the airline. On a return flight you'll face the rule at the airport you fly home from — which may be stricter than your outbound airport.
Major airports in United Kingdom
- 100mlABZ · AberdeenAberdeen
- 2LBHD · Belfast CityBelfast
- 2LBFS · Belfast InternationalBelfast
- 2LBHX · BirminghamBirmingham
- 2LBRS · BristolBristol
- 100mlEMA · East MidlandsNottingham
- 2LEDI · EdinburghEdinburgh
- 100mlGLA · GlasgowGlasgow
- 100mlLPL · Liverpool John LennonLiverpool
- 100mlLCY · London CityLondon
- 2LLGW · London GatwickLondon
- 2LLHR · London HeathrowLondon
- 100mlLTN · London LutonLondon
- 100mlSTN · London StanstedLondon
- 100mlMAN · ManchesterManchester
- 100mlNCL · NewcastleNewcastle
Travel rules for items to & from United Kingdom
Border and customs questions travellers ask about this country.
United Kingdom airport liquid rules — FAQs (2026)
Can you take 2 litres of liquid through UK airport security in 2026?
Only at UK airports that have completed the next-generation CT scanner rollout — currently including Edinburgh, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Teesside. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and Luton still enforce the 100ml rule.
Which UK airports still have the 100ml liquid rule?
As of 2026, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Luton, Bristol, Glasgow and several others still enforce the 100ml hand luggage liquid rule while CT scanners are installed.
Do I pack to the outbound or return airport's liquid rule?
Pack to whichever airport on your itinerary has the strictest rule. If you're returning through Heathrow or Gatwick, pack to 100ml even if you departed from an airport that allows 2 litres.
When will all UK airports allow 2 litres?
The Department for Transport's original 2024 deadline slipped. Large hubs are expected to complete rollout on a rolling basis into 2026 and beyond. Check the specific airport before every trip.
Packing checklist for United Kingdom
A short checklist for this trip — pack what you need to stay within the rules above.
Skip roaming charges on arrival.