As the cold, grey days of early spring drag on across the United Kingdom, anticipation for summer holidays is building among British travellers. But as many prepare to jet off for a much-needed break, a significant change to airport security rules is catching some passengers off guard—and not always in a good way. The long-standing 100ml liquid restriction for carry-on luggage, a staple of air travel since the mid-2000s, has been replaced at several major UK airports, but not everywhere. The result? A patchwork of rules that is leaving some holidaymakers confused and, in some cases, stressed even before their journey begins.
Since January 2026, a number of UK airports have adopted next-generation computed tomography (CT) scanners at their security checkpoints. According to statements from Heathrow Airport, these advanced scanners allow passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage—a dramatic increase from the previous 100ml limit. Even better, travellers no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their bags or juggle plastic bags at security. Heathrow, in fact, has become the largest airport in the world to fully implement this technology across all terminals as of March 29, 2026, promising faster queues and a smoother start to journeys.
"Passengers travelling through all terminals no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security," Heathrow Airport said in a statement, adding, "The UK’s hub has become the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next-generation CT scanners—promising faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys."
This new approach is not limited to Heathrow. As of late March 2026, other airports that have scrapped the 100ml liquids rule include Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and London Gatwick. Passengers passing through these airports are now able to breeze through security with larger bottles of shampoo, sunscreen, or even a full-size bottle of perfume—something unthinkable just a few months ago.
But here’s the catch: not all airports have made the switch. A sizeable list of UK airports, including some major hubs, still enforce the old 100ml rule and require liquids to be removed and placed in clear plastic bags at security. As of March 29, 2026, airports still sticking to the old rules include Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Cardiff, East Midlands, Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick, Inverness, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, London City Airport, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Norwich, Southampton, Southend, Stansted, and Teesside.
Why the discrepancy? The answer lies in the rollout of the new CT scanning technology. According to the BBC and other outlets, the new scanners are expensive and require significant infrastructure upgrades. Some airports have managed to implement them quickly, while others are still in the process. As a result, the UK’s air travel landscape is now split between airports with relaxed liquid rules and those still enforcing the old restrictions.
Exemptions remain in place at all airports for essential medicines, baby food, milk, and special dietary requirements. These carve-outs have long been a feature of airport security and continue to offer some flexibility for passengers with specific needs.
The mixed rules are creating headaches for travellers, especially those flying out of one airport and returning to another. As one frustrated passenger put it on Reddit, "This change is useless until all major airports follow suit. It’s fine on the way out, but if your return airport still has the old rules, you end up throwing things away. It also causes confusion, especially when different London airports have different rules. It should be all or nothing."
Another traveller, flying from Gatwick Airport, was more upbeat: "Makes the journey just that little bit less stressful. Leave everything in your bag—laptop too." A third echoed this sentiment: "Edinburgh is the same, which is really handy." The new scanners, they explained, "allow more liquids and mean you don’t have to remove laptops—but only a few airports have them so far."
Many passengers appreciate the convenience, with some saying the relaxed rules make travel feel "freer" and less burdensome. "I’ve been travelling with just carry-on for years now and wouldn’t go back. There’s something freeing about not carrying full-size toiletries when you only need a small amount," one user shared. Yet, for others, the inconsistent application across airports is a source of anxiety. "It’s confusing too—especially when different London airports have different rules. It should be all or nothing," another traveller lamented.
Airport authorities and travel experts are urging passengers to check their airport’s specific rules before flying, especially ahead of the busy Easter travel period. With the potential for delays or confiscation of items at security, a little preparation can go a long way. As reported by The Mirror, "Travellers are being urged to check their airport’s rules before flying—especially ahead of the busy Easter period—to avoid delays or having items confiscated at security."
The shift to new CT scanners is part of a broader effort to modernize airport security and make travel more efficient. The technology, which provides detailed 3D images of luggage contents, allows security staff to better identify potential threats without the need for passengers to unpack their bags. This not only speeds up the process but also reduces the stress and hassle associated with traditional security checks.
Still, the uneven rollout means travellers need to stay vigilant. As one regular flyer noted, "It’s down to new scanners that allow more liquids and mean you don’t have to take electronics out—but not every airport has them yet." This patchwork approach is likely to persist until all UK airports are equipped with the new technology, a process that could take several more months or even years.
For now, the best advice is to double-check your airport’s regulations before you pack. Don’t assume that what works at Heathrow or Gatwick will work at Manchester or Stansted. And if you’re connecting through different airports, be prepared to adjust your packing strategy accordingly.
The new rules are, by and large, a welcome change for many travellers. They promise to make airport security less of a bottleneck and more of a breeze. But until the entire UK catches up, a little caution—and a lot of checking—remain the order of the day for savvy holidaymakers. As the Easter rush approaches and summer travel looms, the message is clear: know before you go, and you’ll save yourself a world of hassle at the security checkpoint.
With the UK leading the way in airport security innovation, the hope is that these changes will soon become the norm rather than the exception. Until then, travellers will need to navigate a landscape of mixed rules, armed with patience, flexibility, and a good dose of common sense.