Last updated June 2026 · Always verify with your airport
UK airport liquid rules —
which airports allow 2 litres?
The UK is mid-way through a CT scanner rollout that has already lifted the 100ml limit at Heathrow and Gatwick. Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh — you need to check. Use the airport pills below to jump straight to your departure airport.
Always confirm with your departure airport before travelling — rules are changing as CT scanner rollouts continue across the UK.
London Heathrow
Harrogate taxi: from £350
Current liquid limit
Up to 2 litres
Heathrow has completed its security scanner upgrade across all terminals. You can now carry liquids in individual containers of up to 2 litres and leave them inside your carry-on bag — no need to remove them at the security lane.
What to expect at security
- Liquids stay inside your bag — no need to remove them
- Containers up to 2 litres per item permitted
- Laptops and large electronics can stay in your bag
- Metal water bottles and double-walled flasks must be emptied before screening (refill airside)
- The clear resealable bag requirement has been dropped
Watch out
Refillable metal or insulated containers (Stanley cups, Hydro Flasks, etc.) must be completely empty before going through security. Bring a plastic bottle or buy a drink airside.
London Gatwick
Harrogate taxi: from £400
Current liquid limit
Up to 2 litres
Gatwick has confirmed it has installed advanced CT scanning technology and updated its liquid rules accordingly. The 100ml restriction no longer applies to passengers departing from Gatwick.
What to expect at security
- Liquids in containers up to 2 litres are permitted
- No need to remove liquids from your bag at security
- Metal or double-walled containers must still be avoided or emptied
- Rules apply to departing passengers from Gatwick only
- Connecting passengers should check rules at their next departure airport
Watch out
These relaxed rules only apply when departing from Gatwick. If you're connecting to another flight at a different airport, the rules at that airport apply for your onward journey.
Manchester Airport
Harrogate taxi: from £137
Current liquid limit
Check before travel
Manchester Airport has been upgrading its security infrastructure with new CT scanning technology, but the rollout across all three terminals has been phased. The 2 litre exemption may not apply across all terminals — check the Manchester Airport website directly before you travel.
What to expect at security
- Check the Manchester Airport website for your specific terminal
- If unsure, assume the 100ml rule applies and pack liquids accordingly
- Place liquids in a clear resealable bag up to 1 litre (approximately 20cm × 20cm)
- Each container must be 100ml or under if 100ml rules are in effect
Watch out
Manchester has three terminals (T1, T2, T3) and CT scanner rollouts may differ between them. Check which terminal your flight departs from and verify liquid rules for that specific terminal.
Leeds Bradford Airport
Harrogate taxi: from £33
Current liquid limit
100ml — assume until confirmed
Leeds Bradford has not publicly confirmed that it has moved to 2 litre CT scanner rules as of June 2026. As a smaller regional airport, LBA's scanner upgrade schedule may differ from the larger London airports. Treat the 100ml rule as the safe assumption.
What to expect at security
- Assume 100ml per container limit applies until LBA confirms otherwise
- Place all liquids in a single clear resealable bag (max 1 litre, approx 20cm × 20cm)
- Remove the liquids bag from your carry-on and place in a tray at security
- Check the LBA website on the day before your flight for any updates
Watch out
LBA is the most-used airport for Harrogate travellers. Don't get caught out — if you're departing from LBA, verify the rules directly with the airport before packing. The 100ml rule with clear bag is the safe default.
Newcastle Airport
Harrogate taxi: from £180
Current liquid limit
Check before travel
Newcastle Airport has been investing in security infrastructure upgrades, but specific CT scanner rollout status and liquid rule changes have not been publicly confirmed as of June 2026. Verify directly with the airport before your departure.
What to expect at security
- Check Newcastle Airport's security page before travelling
- If unconfirmed, pack to the 100ml standard to avoid issues
- Clear resealable bag required if 100ml rules are in effect
Watch out
Even if CT scanners are installed, rules can vary by lane or time of day during transition periods. The 100ml approach is always the safe default if you haven't confirmed current rules.
Edinburgh Airport
Harrogate taxi: from £260
Current liquid limit
Check before travel
Edinburgh Airport has not publicly confirmed a blanket move to 2 litre liquid rules as of June 2026. Check the Edinburgh Airport website before your flight to confirm current security procedures.
What to expect at security
- Check Edinburgh Airport's website for current liquid rules
- Assume 100ml per container until confirmed otherwise
- Pack a clear resealable bag as a precaution
Watch out
Scotland's busiest airport sees significant passenger volumes — security queues can be long at peak times. Arriving prepared with correctly packed liquids avoids additional delays at the lane.
Exemptions — allowed at every UK airport
These apply regardless of whether the airport has CT scanners or not.
Prescription medicines
Essential prescription medicines are exempt at all UK airports — any quantity. Carry the original prescription label and ideally a GP letter. You may be asked to present them separately at the security lane.
Baby food & baby milk
Baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for babies are exempt from the 100ml limit everywhere. Carry as much as needed for the journey. Security may ask you to taste or test it.
Special dietary requirements
Liquid nutrition supplements required for medical dietary reasons are exempt. Supporting documentation from a medical professional is helpful but not always required.
Duty-free liquids
Alcohol, perfume, and other liquids purchased airside in the duty-free zone are permitted in original sealed packaging. They must remain in the tamper-evident security bag with the receipt visible — including on connecting flights.
What counts as a liquid?
The definition is broader than most people expect — from UK Government guidance.
Travelling from Harrogate?
Fixed price taxi to the airport — from £33
Pre-book and you'll have one less thing to think about. Fixed price before you travel, flight tracking included, reminder the night before.
Official source: UK Government — Hand luggage liquids (gov.uk). Individual airport rules verified from each airport's own website where accessible. Last reviewed June 2026.