The UK is partway through one of the biggest changes in airport security in 20 years. New CT (computed tomography) scanners are replacing the old X-ray gear, and where they are installed and approved, the 100ml liquid restriction has been lifted to 2 litres per container with no quantity cap. Here is exactly where each major UK airport stands as of May 2026, what you can take, and how the rollout has actually played out.
The 2-litre rule, in plain English
If your departure airport has CT scanners installed AND has been signed off by the Department for Transport, you can take liquids up to 2 litres per container in your hand luggage. No 1 litre clear plastic bag required. Liquids and electronics can stay in your bag through screening.
If your airport's CT scanners are not yet approved, the old rules still apply: maximum 100ml per container, all in a single 1 litre clear resealable bag.
The catch: even at airports running the 2-litre allowance, the destination airport's outbound rules apply on the return leg. If you fly from Birmingham (2 litres) to a country still on 100ml, you bring back hand luggage under their rules. Always check before flying.
Status at the airports we cover
| Airport | 2-litre rule active? | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham (BHX) | Yes | CT scanners fully rolled out, 2-litre allowance active. Liquids and laptops stay in your bag. |
| Bristol (BRS) | Yes | CT scanners fully installed; 100ml restriction lifted. |
| East Midlands (EMA) | No, 100ml still applies | All lanes have CT scanners, but the 2-litre allowance has not been signed off yet. Liquids no longer need to be in a plastic bag. |
| Leeds Bradford (LBA) | Check before flying | Sources contradict; verify on leedsbradfordairport.co.uk before travel. |
| Luton (LTN) | No, 100ml still applies | All lanes have CT scanners (since 2024), but DfT rules retain the 100ml limit at Luton. Items can stay in bag during screening. |
| Manchester (MAN) | No, 100ml still applies | New CT scanners across all lanes in 2026. Faster screening (91% under 5 minutes in January 2026), but 100ml limit retained for now. |
Wider UK status
Heathrow finally lifted its 100ml limit at the end of January 2026 after a £1bn scanner upgrade, the largest UK rollout. The Department for Transport has indicated the 100ml rule should be eliminated across all significant UK airports by the end of 2026, but the rollout has been running several years behind the original schedule. Treat any "all UK airports by year-end" claim with caution.
What to pack regardless of which airport
Even where 2-litre containers are allowed, common-sense packing reduces friction at security:
- Decant shampoo and shower gel into clearly-labelled travel bottles. Saves space and avoids questions.
- Keep medication separate, ideally in original packaging with a prescription if possible. Insulin, EpiPens and similar are exempt from liquid limits but easier to clear if you flag them at the lane entrance.
- Baby formula and food are exempt from 100ml limits everywhere in the UK; quantities should be reasonable for the journey.
- Solid alternatives (shampoo bars, bar deodorant, solid toothpaste) avoid the entire question and weigh less.
What about returning to a 100ml country?
The EU lifted some restrictions in 2024 then reimposed them later that year due to scanner certification issues. As of May 2026, EU airports are mostly back on 100ml. If you are flying back to the UK from an EU airport, plan for 100ml restrictions on the outbound leg from that airport, and use the more generous UK rules on the return.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a 1 litre water bottle through Birmingham security in 2026?
Yes, the 2-litre rule applies. Empty containers above 100ml have always been allowed; the change is that you can now carry containers up to 2 litres with liquid inside.
Why does Manchester still have 100ml if it has new scanners?
The scanners are installed but the DfT's separate certification process for the 2-litre allowance has not been completed for Manchester yet. Same situation at Luton and East Midlands. Expect updates throughout 2026.
Are electronics still in my bag at Manchester and Luton?
Yes. Even though the liquid limit is unchanged, the new scanners mean laptops, tablets and other large electronics no longer have to come out of the bag during screening. This alone speeds up security significantly.
Where do I check the latest status?
The most authoritative source is gov.uk's hand luggage page. Each airport publishes its own current security rules; we link out to those on each airport's page.
Compare parking at airports we cover
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- East Midlands Airport
- Leeds Bradford Airport
- Luton Airport
- Manchester Airport
Sources: gov.uk hand luggage restrictions, individual airport security pages, DfT statements as of May 2026. Liquid rules can change quickly; always verify on the airport's own site before travel.