# Can I pack this?

Heathrow lets a 2-litre container through hand-luggage security. Stansted still stops an ordinary liquid over 100 ml. Choose the airport and the item, and get a yes, a no or the conditions, in the airport's own words.

Checked 14 September 2026. Airport security rules only.

## Nineteen airports, two rulebooks

| Airport | Per container | Metal or insulated bottle | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Belfast City | 2 litres | not stated | https://www.belfastcityairport.com/FAQs |
| Belfast International | 2 litres | not stated | https://www.belfastairport.com/airport-guide/security/hand-luggage |
| Birmingham | 2 litres | must be empty | https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/security-and-customs/security-advice/ |
| Bournemouth | 2 litres | not stated | https://www.bournemouthairport.com/passenger-information/ |
| Bristol | 2 litres | must be empty | https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/security/ |
| Edinburgh | 2 litres | must be empty | https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/airport-security/liquids-food-items-electricals |
| London Gatwick | 2 litres | must be empty | https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/security.html |
| London Heathrow | 2 litres | must be empty | https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage/hand-baggage-and-liquids |
| London Southend | 2 litres | not stated | https://southendairport.com/frequently-asked-questions/security |
| Aberdeen | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.aberdeenairport.com/aberdeen-airport-guide/airport-security/hand-baggage/ |
| East Midlands | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/help/security/ |
| Glasgow | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-security/hand-baggage/ |
| Leeds Bradford | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/help/security |
| Liverpool John Lennon | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.liverpoolairport.com/prepare/security/baggage-information |
| London City | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.londoncityairport.com/at-the-airport/need-to-know/security-baggage |
| London Luton | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.london-luton.co.uk/security |
| London Stansted | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.stanstedairport.com/help/security/ |
| Manchester | 100 ml | not stated | https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/security/ |
| Newcastle | 100 ml | refused with liquid in it | https://www.newcastleairport.com/at-the-airport/preparing-for-security-search/ |

At every airport listed, liquids stay in the bag and no clear plastic bag is needed. The container's capacity is what counts, not how full it is.

## National exemption (GOV.UK)

Containers up to 2 litres go through security at all UK airports if they are for essential medical purposes, for special dietary requirements, or contain baby food or baby milk. Airports add conditions: evidence for medicine, separate screening at some, and a 2-litre cap per container of breast milk.

## Sources

- GOV.UK, hand luggage liquids: https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/liquids
- Aberdeen: “Liquids under 100ml can stay in your cabin baggage without using a liquid bag, with no restriction on how many 100ml containers you can bring.” https://www.aberdeenairport.com/aberdeen-airport-guide/airport-security/hand-baggage/
- Belfast City: “liquids, creams, pastes, gels, and aerosols can be taken through security providing they are 2 litres or less.” https://www.belfastcityairport.com/FAQs
- Belfast International: “Leave liquids up to 2 litres in their hand luggage” https://www.belfastairport.com/airport-guide/security/hand-luggage
- Birmingham: “You are allowed to carry liquids, pastes and gels in containers up to 2 litres hand luggage, there is no limit on the amount of containers that can be carried.” https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/security-and-customs/security-advice/
- Bournemouth: “liquids are restricted to containers of up to 2,000ml” https://www.bournemouthairport.com/passenger-information/
- Bristol: “The current maximum size of each liquid container at Bristol Airport is 2 litres. Keep your liquids in your bag (there's no need to use a clear plastic bag).” https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/security/
- East Midlands: “Liquids in containers larger than 100ml cannot go through security even if the container is only part full.” https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/help/security/
- Edinburgh: “You can now bring through up to two litres of liquids through security.” https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/airport-security/liquids-food-items-electricals
- Glasgow: “Liquids carried in containers capable of holding more than 100ml will not be permitted through security - please pack them in your hold baggage.” https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-security/hand-baggage/
- Leeds Bradford: “Liquids/gels must be in containers of 100ml or less.” https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/help/security
- Liverpool John Lennon: “Liquids in containers of 100ml or less are permitted to remain in your hand luggage without the need of a clear plastic bag.” https://www.liverpoolairport.com/prepare/security/baggage-information
- London City: “Liquids and gels only allowed in containers of up to 100ml in hand luggage” https://www.londoncityairport.com/at-the-airport/need-to-know/security-baggage
- London Gatwick: “containers of up to two litres, provided they are not in metal or double walled containers” https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/security.html
- London Heathrow: “Liquids in containers of up to 2 litres can stay inside your cabin bag” https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage/hand-baggage-and-liquids
- London Luton: “Liquids and gels should be kept in your hand luggage. They are allowed in containers of up to 100ml” https://www.london-luton.co.uk/security
- London Southend: “Liquids and gels are only allowed in containers of up to 2 litres.” https://southendairport.com/frequently-asked-questions/security
- London Stansted: “Liquids in containers larger than 100ml cannot go through Security even if the container is only part full.” https://www.stanstedairport.com/help/security/
- Manchester: “You can pack liquids, gels, and aerosols under 100ml each in your hand luggage.” https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/security/
- Newcastle: “Any liquids, aerosols or gels being carried in hand luggage must be in containers of up to 100ml.” https://www.newcastleairport.com/at-the-airport/preparing-for-security-search/