How much liquid can you take on a plane? 100ml rule changes explained

IT'S important to know what you can and can't take on a flight when going on your travels.

From sun cream to make up, you need to be aware of liquid restrictions when boarding a plane- here’s everything you need to know.

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How much liquid can you take on a plane?

Frequent flyers will know that once you have arrived at your airport of choice, there are restrictions on what items you can take in your hand luggage and hold luggage when boarding a plane in the UK - and that includes liquids.

For those who are unsure of the rules and restrictions regarding how much liquid you can take on a plane - the good news is, we have everything you need to know.

The government website states there are "restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage".

So to avoid any disappointment on what you can and can't take, passengers are advised to pack liquids in hold luggage - this is baggage that has to be checked in before flying.

If you do choose to pack liquids in your cabin bag, containers must hold no more than 100ml - however some airports have scrapped this rule.

These include liquids used for essential medical purposes, for special dietary requirements, or liquids that contain baby milk or baby food.

Has the 100ml liquid rule been scrapped?

Some airports in the UK have scrapped the 100ml rule -  so some passengers no longer have to worry about them.

The new 3D scanners mean travellers will no longer need to remove liquids and laptops from their bags when passing through airport security.

The Department for Transport has given major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh until 2024 to invest in the better technology — also known as 3D scanning.

However it looks as though some airports are set to miss the target deadline.

The initiative is being rolled out at airports across Europe, but it appears not all major airports are on course to meet the deadline.

The Department of Transport has set a deadline for June 2024 to see airports lift the 100ml liquid rule in airports.

The update, which hopes to prevent delays at major airports, could be pushed back as late as 2025 due to installation issues with the new security equipment.

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Which UK airports have lifted or are lifting the 100ml liquid rule?

London City Airport is one hub where travellers are no longer required to remove their toiletries or laptops from their luggage.

Birmingham airport is planning to have scrapped liquid rules by June 2024.

The airport will be the largest in the UK so far to have implemented the new technology - serving 12million people each year.

Luton and Bristol airports are also aiming to introduce the new technology at the same time, with Bristol said to be investing more than £10million in the new security equipment.

Gatwick says it expects to install the remaining scanners by the first three months of 2025, which is similar to Stansted and Manchester.

Heathrow is expecting to finish the installation in 2025 while Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle expect to have the technology in place at some point in 2024.

Here's a look at which UK airports have lifted or plan to lift the 100ml liquid rule:

• London Heathrow - Partially implemented
• London Gatwick - Deadline missed
• Manchester - Partially implemented
• Edinburgh - Predicted by end of 2024
• Birmingham - Predicted June 2024
• Bristol - Predicted June 2024
• Luton - Predicted June 2024
• Newcastle - Predicted 2024
• Liverpool - Predicted May/June 2024
• Leeds Bradford - Predicted 2024
• East Midlands - Partially implemented
• Teesside - Fully implemented
• London City - Fully implemented

Which airports in Europe have lifted the 100ml liquid rule?

Several European airports are getting rid of the 100ml liquid rule or are already ahead of time curve.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport relaxed liquid rules back in 2021 while Rome Fiumicino Airport and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport are two more in Italy.

Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El-Prat are making the change this year along with Palma de Mallorca airport.

Malaga Costa del Sol plans to have the technology working by 2025. 

Paris-Orly and Geneva airport have been trialling the tech but it's not been confirmed when it will be implemented full time.

Do you still have to put liquids in plastic bags in 2024?

Bottles of liquid must also be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20 cm.

If you arrive at the airport security point with liquids in containers larger than 100ml, generally these will not be allowed past this point - although there are some exemptions.

You are allowed to take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane - such as duty free - through security if they are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them and if the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible.

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How many 100ml bottles can I take on a plane?

Your bag of liquids should not exceed a litre.

This means you can take up to around 10 100ml bottles as long as they fit inside your plastic bag .

Everything must fit comfortably inside the one bag allowed per person in order for it to be sealed.

Passengers should avoid knotting or tying the bag at the top.

What counts as a liquid?

Prior to packing your bags and preparing to spend time in your desired destination, it’s important to know what defines a liquid.

Liquids include:

• All drinks including water
• Liquid or semi-liquid food - for example, jam, soup, honey and syrups
• Cosmetics and toiletries including creams, oils, perfumes, lotions, lip gloss, and mascara
• Pastes including toothpaste
• Sprays - for example, shaving foam, spray deodorants, and hairspray
• Gels including hair and shower gel
• Contact lens solution
• Any other solutions and items of a similar consistency

Can you take baby milk on to a plane?

Baby milk is one of the exceptions to the 100ml restriction when arriving at the airport.

When travelling with a baby, you're allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey.

Although there is no legal limit on how much you can take - you should check with your airport before you travel.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml and can be transported in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby.

However, you cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.

It’s important to be aware that a baby must be present when travelling with formula milk, cow’s milk, sterilised water, soya milk and baby food.