What are The New Rules for Liquids on Planes? The 2L Limit at UK and EU Airports

For nearly two decades, the 100ml liquid limit has been a source of confusion for air travelers. While the rule isn't gone yet, significant changes are underway, creating a new landscape for airport security. On July 25, 2025, the European Commission officially approved a new era of security, allowing airports with advanced 3D scanners to lift the 100ml restriction and permit up to 2 litres of liquids in carry-on bags.

However, this isn't a blanket rule. The transition is happening on a case-by-case basis, and the rules can vary significantly from one airport to the next. In the UK and across Europe, the implementation of this technology is progressing, but it's crucial to check the specific regulations of your departure and return airports before you pack.

Rules for Liquids on Planes

The relaxation of liquid rules is a direct result of new scanner technology. An EU Commission spokesperson confirmed that this advanced CT imaging allows airports to safely lift the 100ml restriction, as the scanners can finally distinguish between harmless and dangerous liquids.

But have in mind the fact that the traditional 3-1-1 rule for liquid on a plane allowance in carry-on bags remains in effect at the vast majority of airports worldwide.

Which Items Are Considered Liquids?

 The scanners may be changing, but the basic rules for liquids are the same: aerosols like deodorants are still considered liquid, there are specifics for baby food and medical purposes. 

 Aside from the obvious like water and perfume, there are some other which you might not immediately consider a liquid. How about your hairspray or toothpaste? What about bringing food items like peanut butter on the plane?  The liquids on plane rule covers:

• Toiletries/Cosmetics  – You can bring cosmetics, such as shampoo, perfumes, lotions, lip gloss, etc 
• Toothpaste 
• Solutions and medicine– You can bring liquids like medication and contact lens solution. 
• Aerosols – You can bring aerosols on the plane, like deodorant, hairspray, shaving foam, etc. 
• Gels – You can bring cosmetics like hair and shower gel, etc.
• Food – You can take semi-liquid foods (salad dressing, honey, syrup, jam), etc. in your carry-on if they're below 100 ml. 

That’s right, peanut butter (or anything with a similar consistency) is considered liquid. When in doubt, always check with your airline or the airport (make sure you know the rules at all airports you are going through – departure, transfer and arrival, just in case).

How Much Liquid Can You Take on a Plane​?

In general, you can take to 100 ml (approximately 3.4 ounces or 0.13 kg)in one container. Now, some airports equipped with next-generation 3D CT scanners allow passengers to carry up to 2 litres of liquids and leave large electronics in their bags during security screening. There is no limit on the number of 2L bottles or containers you can take through, provided they fit within your hand luggage allowance.

SkyRefund's Tip: To ensure a smooth journey, it's safest to continue packing liquids in containers of 100ml or less, unless you have confirmed that your specific airport has fully transitioned to the new technology.

 It is important to know which airports have scrapped the 100ml rule. Here’s a breakdown.

Which UK Airports Have New Liquid Rules​

UK Airports with the 2-Litre Liquid Limit

The new 3D CT scanners are being rolled out across UK airports, but the implementation and rules can vary from airport to airport. As of now, only a few airports have fully implemented the new technology and lifted the 100ml liquid restriction to allow up to 2 litres in hand luggage. These include:

• Birmingham Airport
• Edinburgh Airport 
• Bristol Airport 

UK Airports Still Applying the 100ml Rule

Many other airports have installed the new scanners, which allows you to keep liquids and electronics in your bag during the screening process. However, for most of them, the 100ml limit on individual containers still apply because the process isn’t fully finished. These airports include:

• Aberdeen Airport
• Belfast International Airport
• Bournemouth Airport
• Cardiff Airport
• London City Airport
• Luton Airport
• Newcastle Airport
• Southend Airport
• Teesside Airport
• Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Other airports have been granted extensions past the initial government deadlines due to the complexity and high cost of installing the new equipment. As a result, not all security lanes have the new scanners and the 100ml liquid restriction remains in effect. These include:

• Heathrow Airport 
• Manchester Airport 
• Stansted Airport 
• Glasgow Airport
• Norwich Airport
• Southampton Airport

EU Airports with the 2-Litre Liquid Limit

The situation in the EU is similar to that in the UK, with the rollout occurring at varying rates in different airports. The key takeaway is that you should always check the specific rules for your departure airport before you fly.

A few airports and countries have fully implemented the new rules, allowing passengers to carry larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. Here's a breakdown for the airports implementing the technology:

• Italy: Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Bologna, and Turin 
• Ireland: Shannon Airport
• Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol

EU Airports Still Applying the 100ml Rule

Again, due to various factors, including EU-wide regulations and phased rollouts, some airports may still require you to adhere to the 100ml liquid rule. This can be confusing, so it is safer to assume the 100ml rule is in effect unless the airport explicitly states otherwise.

This includes:

• Spain: Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat
• Germany: Airports like Frankfurt and Berlin Brandenburg 
• Lithuania: Kaunas Airport

Many EU countries are still preparing for the changes. The situation is dynamic, and the rules can change quickly.

Understanding the New Scanners: 2D vs. 3D Technology

The current 2D scanners distinguish between organic and inorganic materials. When going through the scanners, items are displayed in different colours: blue for inorganic (potentially dangerous metal tools, like knives, scissors, etc.), green for mixed (silicon, aluminium, but also gunpowder and detonators) and orange for organic materials (food, paper, clothing). 

Explosive substances are also organic and displayed in orange. The problem is that 2D scanners cannot distinguish food from explosives. This is why currently all liquids are limited to 100ml and checked separately.

The new 3D scanners, however, can differentiate between high-strength alcohol, water, and hydrogen peroxide (the chemical used in common hair bleach as well as bombs).

Can You Take Vape Liquid on a Plane​?

You can take vape liquid on a plane, but it's subject to the same rules as other liquids in your carry-on luggage. Each container of vape juice must be 100ml or less and all containers must fit within a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag. These rules apply to flights from the UK and are standard across most airlines. It's always a good idea to check your specific airline's policy to be certain.

What's the Difference: Checked vs. Hand Luggage Liquids

 The new rules for liquids to 2L apply for hand luggage. For checked luggage, the rules have always been different and are generally more lenient regarding liquids, as those bags are screened with different technology and are not taken into the cabin with you. You can typically pack liquids in containers over 100ml in your checked bags, as long as they are properly sealed to prevent spills.

What Liquids You Can Take in a Hand Luggage​

Generally, carry on luggage restrictions allow you to bring a single 1-litre bag (approx. 20×20 cm) of liquids, aerosols, gels, pastes, and creams in your hand luggage. With the new rules applied in some airports (check them first) they may be to 2L. 

All containers must be travel-sized, i.e. up to 100 ml (3.4 oz) and must fit comfortably in the 1-litre transparent resealable bag. So, 3.4 ounces (0.13 kg) or smaller containers that must fit in 1 zip-lock bag, 1 bag per person (3-1-1 rule).

What Liquids You Can Take in a Checked Luggage​

 There are generally no size limits on individual containers for liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked luggage. This means you can pack a full-size shampoo bottle (like a 300ml bottle) or a large bottle of wine without any issue. The main restrictions here are on hazardous materials (flammable, explosive, etc.), which are prohibited in any luggage. 

There are virtually no limits on the liquids, aerosols, and gels in your checked luggage. Therefore, all your hair sprays and perfumes, your gift wine bottles, precious exotic jams or salsa can safely go in your checked bag. Just remember to wrap them safely in bubble-wrap (or your socks/T-shirt).

 FAQs About Liquid Rules

Why Do Airports Limit Liquids?

In short, the 100ml liquid rule was put in place after a terrorist plot was stopped in 2006 in the UK. Since older airport scanners couldn't differentiate between a harmless liquid and an explosive, the rule was created to prevent anyone from bringing a large, and potentially dangerous, amount of liquid onto a plane.

How Many Liquids Can You Take on a Plane?

For carry-on luggage, you can take as many liquids as you can fit into a single, transparent, quart-sized, resealable bag. In the general case, an individual liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less. This is known as the "3-1-1 liquids rule." You are limited to one such bag per person. For airports with 3D scanners the limit is 2 litres.

Will the New Rules Make Flying Less Safe?

The expansion of how much liquids you can bring on a plane does not mean that flying will be less safe. On the contrary! According to the UK’s Department for Transport, the new scanners will definitely improve airport security because:

• The new machines offer clearer images paired with advanced threat-detection features, meaning improved security and less false alarms
• Passengers will also have to spend less time at security checkpoints as they will no longer have to remove their liquids and large electronics from their bags
• The new scanners will also reduce plastic waste (less disposable toiletry bottles and resealable bags).
• Passengers can also save money as they will no longer have to buy drinks at expensive airport shops but can bring their water or drink bottle — up to 2 litres.

Can I Bring Baby Food on a Plane?

You can bring baby food on the plane as long as it compiles with the following guidelines:

• Baby milk, baby food and sterilised water —  if you are travelling with an infant, you may take as much baby formula/ food and water as you need for the journey (including purées, soy milk, cow’s milk, even cooling gel packs).
• Breast milk is also allowed on the plane in quantities larger than 100ml even if your baby is not travelling with you; liquid containers are limited to less than 2000ml in this case, and they may be opened and screened separately (if you prefer the bottles not to go through the x-ray scanner, they will undergo alternative testing). Note however that frozen breast milk will not be allowed through security.

Can I Bring Medicine on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring medication on the plane as long as it compiles with the following guidelines

• Essential medical purposes — liquid medication you will need for your journey, hypodermic syringes and tablets; 
• Inhalers and other types of medical equipment that are essential for the trip;
• Special dietary requirements — you are allowed to bring liquid food if you are on a special diet.

Note that in these cases, security staff may require a doctor’s note or prescription to verify that the name on the prescription matches the name on the boarding pass. Containers may also be opened and screened for security purposes. Check our guide on taking medicine on a plane to learn about the specific guidelines for taking pills with you.

What About Duty-Free Liquids?

You can bring liquids larger than 100ml in the cabin, such as alcohol, your favourite perfume, soft drinks, etc. if:

• They were bought at the airport or on the plane (duty-free)
• They are sealed inside a security bag (this is done for you at the shop when you buy the product)
• The receipt is inside the security bag and is clearly visible (ICAO recommendation).

Note! Open the security bag only once you have reached your final destination. Meanwhile, airport security may open the bag to screen the liquids and then reseal it so that its safety is guaranteed.

What to Do With Liquids at the Airport Security?

 Once you have safely packed all containers larger than 100ml in your suitcase and checked your bag, you may head to the x-ray scanners with your hand luggage.

At the security checkpoint:

1. Make sure all your liquids, cosmetics, etc. (LAGs) come in travel-size containers (less than 100ml) and are packed into a single transparent resealable bag, size 20×20 (approx.1-litre). These may be up to 2L with the new rules if the airport implemented the new scanners. Note that the bag must be well-sealed (not tied at the top), so, if any of the tiny bottles doesn’t quite fit inside, you may have to let go;
2. Remove your laptop and any other large electronics (hairdryer, a large camera, etc.) from your carry-on;
3. Place the transparent bag with your liquids and your large electronics in a tray for scanning;
4. Remove your jacket and all metal objects, such as coins, keys, belt, etc. and prepare these to go through the scanner too.

 At some airports, you may also be asked to take your shoes off.

After the screening, you will have enough time to place your belongings back in your pockets and hand luggage.