Website of the UK government

Update to published information: 2 January 2008

From 7 January 2008 the limit of one item of hand baggage per person will no longer apply at certain airports. However, airlines will still apply their own operational policies on the number and size of hand baggage which may be taken in to the aircraft cabin.

The airports where these rules are being relaxed are: Aberdeen, Benbecula, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, London City, Manchester, Plymouth, Prestwick, Southampton, Southend, Stansted, Stornaway, Sumburgh, and Wick.

Check the most recently published baggage arrangement guidelines to see what has changed.

• Baggage arrangement changes for some UK airports (published 2 January 2008)

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For all flights departing from a UK airport from Monday 6 November 2006 onwards

Liquids

Passengers are advised to pack any liquids they do not need on the aircraft into their hold baggage. If you do have liquids you will need on the flight, please be aware that there are now restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through:

• passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers, each of which must have a capacity not greater than 100ml
• containers with a capacity greater than 100ml are not allowed, even if they are only partially full
• these containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cms x 20cms)
• the contents of your plastic bag must fit comfortably inside it, so that it can be sealed
• only one of these bags, per passenger, is allowed
• the bag must be presented for examination and x-ray at the airport security point
• liquids that cannot be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into the hold luggage and checked in
• liquids of any amount can still be carried in luggage checked into the aircraft hold

Remember that 'liquids' includes:

• all drinks, including water, soup, syrups
• creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, cosmetics, including mascara and lipsticks etc
• sprays and pressurised containers, including shaving foam and spray deodorants
• pastes, including toothpastes
• contact lens solutions
• gels, including hair and shower gel
• any other solutions and items of similar consistency

Medicines and baby food

Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip. Amounts under 100mls should be placed in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag, as with other liquids. If your medication pack exceeds 100mls, it should be presented at security for x-ray inspection. There is no limit on the amount, however you may be asked to verify the liquid by tasting it, or to provide verification for the product, such as a doctor's letter.

Cabin baggage - size restrictions and additional items allowed

Each passenger is now restricted to carrying only one item through the airport search point, with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Be aware that this is the maximum size allowed and that some airlines may have their own size restrictions - you can contact the airline you are travelling with for further information. Please also note that you must be able to fit your re-sealable bag into your cabin baggage.

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be security screened.

Handbags / briefcases / laptops / electrical items

You must be able to fit your handbag or briefcase into your single item of cabin baggage: these are no longer allowed as additional, separate bags.

Laptops and other large electrical items (for example, a large hairdryer) will still have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately, but smaller items, including mobile phones, games consoles and MP3 players can be left in your bag for screening. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.

Outsize items

All items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size (maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm) must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold. Musical instruments will, as an exception, be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, but will need to be screened and passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (for example, purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments will be required.

• Visit the British Airport Authority website Opens new window

Preparing for your journey

Passengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible.

Before you arrive at the airport:

• limit quantities to what you are likely to need in the cabin during the flight
• wherever possible, put liquids in hold baggage
• prepare the re-sealable bag of liquids before arriving at the airport
• check any queries you have with your airport or airline before travelling to the airport

At the security point:

• be ready to hand over your re-sealable bag of liquids for screening as you approach the security check point - it will be screened at the same time as your cabin luggage
• all coats and jackets will have to be removed ready to be screened and metal items will be placed in plastic trays and scanned separately
• if you are carrying a laptop or any other large electrical item within your cabin luggage, then please have it ready for separate screening as you approach the security check

Duty free and departure lounge purchases:

• you may take on board liquid items of any size that are bought after the security check in the departure lounge (sometimes referred to as 'airside')
• most duty free or similar purchases will be given to you in a special sealed bag - do not open this bag until you have reached your final destination
• you should also retain your receipt throughout your journey, as you will be required to show it at all transfer points
• you are also allowed to buy food and drink items in the departure lounge for consumption onboard
• please note that restrictions apply to duty free purchases made on return journeys where passengers change flights at an EU airport; these are explained in more detail in the next section

These are the requirements set down by the Department for Transport. Airlines and airports may have additional measures in place, so you are strongly advised to check the website of your carrier or airport before travelling.

Returning to or via the UK

Travelling from an airport in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland

The arrangements outlined above will apply, except that larger cabin bags will be permitted on a transitional basis until April 2007.

The member states of the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Travelling from an airport in any other country

Local arrangements will apply.

Special information for transit passengers

If your journey involves changing flights at any EU airport, special restrictions apply. You may only take liquid items (for example duty free) through the security check point at your connecting airport if:

• they conform to the requirements for passengers departing from EU airports as set out above; or
• they have been bought airside at another EU airport, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier - you will need to show a receipt to demonstrate this

Liquid items in excess of 100ml purchased from other airports or on board other airlines may only be carried as hold baggage on the connecting flight.