Heathrow Airport Officially Abolishes 100ml Liquids Rule
London Heathrow Airport has officially axed the long-standing 100ml liquids rule at security checkpoints, marking a significant shift in passenger experience. The change, which took effect on January 23, 2026, comes as the airport completes the rollout of advanced CT scanners across all its active terminals.
New Technology Eliminates Security Hassles
The installation of state-of-the-art CT scanners means travellers no longer need to remove laptops from their hand luggage during security screening. Furthermore, passengers can now carry liquids in containers of up to two litres, effectively ending the 19-year restriction that limited toiletries to 100ml bottles.
This technological upgrade represents a £1 billion investment by Heathrow, positioning it among the last major UK airports to implement these changes. The new system is designed to make security processing quicker and more efficient, particularly timely for the upcoming February half-term and Easter holiday periods.
What Travellers Need to Know
While the liquids rule has been substantially relaxed, certain security procedures remain unchanged:
- Refillable metal, double-walled, or vacuum containers must still be emptied before passing through security, though they can be refilled airside
- Coins, keys, phones, and other small items continue to require separate screening in trays
- Coats and cabin baggage still need to pass through the scanning process
The changes apply across all four operational Heathrow terminals: T2, T3, T4, and T5. Heathrow Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye emphasised that the upgrades should result in "less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey" while also reducing reliance on single-use plastic bags.
UK Airport Landscape
Heathrow joins other London airports including Gatwick, Stansted, and London City in implementing the new security technology. However, Luton and Stansted airports maintain the 100ml limit despite allowing liquids to remain in hand luggage during screening.
Travellers are advised to check security requirements at their destination airports, as regulations may vary internationally. The inconsistency between airports means passengers should verify rules for their return journey to avoid potential issues with larger liquid containers.
This development represents the most significant change to UK airport security procedures in nearly two decades, promising to transform the pre-flight experience for millions of passengers passing through Britain's busiest aviation hub.
