UK Airline and Airport Security Regulations - Exactly What Liquids Can You Carry in Hand Luggage?

The current regulations around Airline Cabin Baggagelitre (approximately 20cm by 20cm)
have been in place since 6th November 2006, but we- The contents must sit comfortably in the bag and
are still seeing many questions over just what liquidsthe bag must be sealed
can be brought into the cabin as hand luggage. The- The re-sealable bag of liquids should be prepared
rules here are very precise, and cover drinks,before arriving at the airport
medicines, make-up, toiletries, and even baby milk.- Each passenger may carry only one such bag of
The regulations are summarised here for simplicity, toliquids
help you avoid difficulties or delays at Airport- The one item of cabin baggage which can be taken
Security.through the airport search point is in addition to the
What is the Definition of a Liquid?bag of liquids
In terms of Airport Security Rules, a liquid includes allWhat About Essential Medicines?
of the following:Prescription medicines in liquid form which are
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrupsessential for the journey (such as a diabetic kit) can
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etcbe taken in hand luggage, but be prepared to prove
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shavingtheir authenticity.
foam and spray deodorantsWhat About Baby Milk and Baby Food?
- Pastes, including toothpastesBaby milk and liquid baby food may be taken in hand
- Gels, including hair and shower gelluggage, and are not subject to the 100 ml limit, but
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistencythe contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by
How Much Can I Take?an accompanying passenger.
Obviously you can take as much as you like in theWhat About Duty Free / Departure Lounge
cargo hold, but in your hand luggage you are limitedPurchases?
to containers holding no more than 100ml (note thatYou may take as hand luggage any Duty Free items
a 200ml container half full is not permitted). Allyou purchase in the shops in the departure lounge, or
containers of liquid must be placed into a single,'airside'. These will be given to you in a special sealed
see-through and re-sealable plastic bag.bag which should not be opened until you reach your
Travellers are encouraged not to take items in handfinal destination, and you should keep your proof of
luggage which are capable of holding liquids (forpurchase.
example, bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plasticNote that there are additional considerations for duty
containers, etc). This should help avoid unnecessaryfree purchases for your return flight if you will
delays.bechanging flight at an EU airport.
So What's This About a Plastic Bag?Summary
The plastic bag allows the liquids being carried by aLimited liquids are now permitted as hand luggage,
passenger to be easily checked by airport security.but if you want to avoid delays and difficulties at the
The rules which must be followed are:airport then you should ensure you understand the
- The bag must be the transparent, re-sealable typeabove rules and prepare your bag of liquids before
- The capacity of the bag must be no more than 1you get to the airport.