You can generally carry liquids in your hand luggage on a plane only in containers of 100 ml (3.4 ounces) or less each. All these containers must fit into a single transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre (about 20cm x 20cm in size). You are allowed one such bag per passenger
. There are some exceptions and variations depending on the airport and region:
- Some UK airports with advanced 3D scanning technology now allow you to keep liquids in your bag without removing them at security, but the 100 ml container limit still applies
- Liquids over 100 ml are only allowed if purchased after security (duty free) or if they are essential medicines, baby food, or infant nourishment, often requiring documentation like a doctor's note
- Checked luggage has no strict limit on liquid volume, so larger quantities should be packed there
There was a plan to increase the cabin liquid allowance to 2 litres per passenger with containers of any size due to new scanning technology, but this has been delayed or rolled back as of 2024 due to security concerns
. In summary:
- Carry liquids in containers no larger than 100 ml each.
- All containers must fit in one transparent resealable bag of max 1 litre.
- Exceptions exist for medicines, baby food, and duty-free liquids.
- Larger quantities should be placed in checked baggage.
This is the current standard for most European and UK airports in 2025, with some variations depending on the airport's security technology
