Airport CT scanners 2026 — where the 2L liquid rule applies now

Airport CT scanners and the 2L liquid rule: where it applies in 2026

Last updated July 23, 2026Updated 4 weeks ago· Reviewed against current airport security guidance

Short answer

CT (computed tomography) scanners let some airports allow containers up to 2 litres in hand luggage and skip the clear-bag requirement. In 2026 the rollout is uneven: several UK airports (LGW, EDI, BRS, LTN) allow 2L today; most EU hubs and some UK airports (LHR, MAN, STN) still enforce 100ml. The rule can also revert — always check on the day.

General guidance

Rule basis: General airport security guidance — rules can vary between airports and change over time. Confirm with your departure airport before you fly.

What to do: Pack to 100ml per container in a single 1-litre clear bag unless you've confirmed a larger allowance at both your departure airports.

Liquid Limits is a travel planning tool, not an official aviation source. Always confirm with the airport before you travel.

What a CT scanner changes

Standard 2D X-ray machines can't reliably see through liquid containers larger than 100ml, which is why the 100ml rule exists. CT scanners build a 3D image that lets screeners see what's inside larger bottles. Where an airport has installed CT scanners across all lanes AND received regulator sign-off, it can allow containers up to 2 litres and drop the clear-bag requirement. Missing either piece keeps the airport on 100ml.

Even at 2L airports, the UK and EU regulators have reverted airports to 100ml at short notice when they need to. Always pack a 100ml decant kit as a fallback.

UK airports — 2026 status

Airport	IATA	Current rule	Notes
London Gatwick	LGW	2L allowed	CT scanners across both terminals
Edinburgh	EDI	2L allowed	CT rollout complete
Birmingham	BHX	2L allowed	CT scanners across all lanes
Bristol	BRS	2L allowed	CT scanners across all lanes
Belfast International	BFS	2L allowed	CT scanners across all lanes
Aberdeen	ABZ	2L allowed	CT scanners across all lanes
London Luton	LTN	2L allowed	CT scanners across all lanes
London Heathrow	LHR	100ml	CT rollout ongoing across T2-T5
Manchester	MAN	100ml	CT rollout ongoing
London Stansted	STN	100ml	CT rollout not yet complete

EU and worldwide — 2026 status

Airport	IATA	Current rule
Amsterdam Schiphol	AMS	100ml
Paris Charles de Gaulle	CDG	100ml
Frankfurt	FRA	100ml
Madrid Barajas	MAD	100ml
Rome Fiumicino	FCO	100ml
Dublin	DUB	100ml (T1 & T2 CT rollout ongoing)
Shannon	SNN	2L allowed
Milan Linate	LIN	100ml
Helsinki-Vantaa	HEL	2L allowed
Zurich	ZRH	100ml

How to travel through a CT-scanner airport

Keep liquids in your bag — no need to unpack unless signage says otherwise
No clear bag required, but any decant kit you already have still works
Individual containers can go up to 2L; total volume is not restricted
Duty-free rules are unchanged — tamper-evident bags still required for onward connections
If the airport reverts to 100ml, staff will tell you at the lane — no advance notice is guaranteed

What if I'm connecting?

Your outbound airport's rule sets what you can carry through security once. If your connecting airport still uses 100ml, any bottles over 100ml you're carrying from the first airport may be confiscated at the transfer screening. Either drink or bin them before transferring, or pack them in checked baggage.

FAQs

Which airports have CT scanners in 2026?

In the UK, LGW, EDI, BHX, BRS, BFS, ABZ and LTN currently allow 2L liquids under CT scanners. Elsewhere, Shannon (SNN) and Helsinki (HEL) are the main early adopters. Most other EU hubs remain on 100ml.

Can I take 2 litres of liquid through any UK airport in 2026?

No. LHR, MAN and STN still enforce the 100ml per container rule. Only the airports with completed CT rollout and regulator sign-off allow 2L today.

Is the 100ml liquid rule ending in 2026?

There's no single end date. It ends airport-by-airport as CT scanners are installed and regulators sign off. Some airports have gone 2L, then reverted to 100ml at short notice.

Do I still need a clear bag at CT scanner airports?

No — airports on the 2L allowance drop the 1-litre clear-bag requirement too. You can leave liquids inside your cabin bag.

What happens on a connection through a 100ml airport?

Your transfer airport's rule applies at its security lane. Bottles over 100ml carried from a 2L origin airport may be confiscated when you connect through a 100ml airport.

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