Airport security restrictions : Your essential at-a-glance guide

How much liquid can I carry in my hand luggage: Any container of liquid must not hold more than 100ml. If at all possible, you should pack permitted liquids in your hold luggage. Don’t worry about going thirsty, airlines will provide passengers with free water when on the plane.

What liquids are included: The following are covered by restrictions on liquid.

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

How to carry liquids: If you need to take liquids in your hand luggage, you’ll need to make sure you comply with the following restrictions…

Liquids must be in container that holds no more than 100ml
Containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag that’s approx 20cm x 20cm
Containers must fit easily within the bag so that it can be sealed
Bags must not be knotted or tied up
Each passenger is limited to one plastic bag
Your bag must be available for inspection at the security point

Liquids exempt from 100ml rule: Some liquids can be carried in quantities of more than 100ml. These can include the follow

Liquids essential for medical purposes within the duration of the flight
Liquids that are for special dietary requirements
Liquid containers that hold baby milk or baby food
Liquids of more than 100ml if bought after security:

You can take liquids of more than 100ml bought in duty free if:

The items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
The receipt for the items is sealed within the security bag and visible
You must not open the bag until you pass through security at your final destination

Overview: If you have a medical condition that requires medication, you should be allowed to carry quantities of more than 100ml in your hand luggage. This includes medicines and equipment such as inhalers and liquid dietary foodstuffs. However, these items must all be made available for screening if required.

Letter from a medical professional: Anyone who needs to carry medication in quantities exceeding 100ml, or medical equipment in hand luggage will need to have this confirmed in writing from a relevant and qualified medical professional. The letter must be available for inspection at all times. Most doctors will charge for this letter (from £10 upwards) and some might want to see you before they’ll write it, so make sure you request it at least two weeks before flying.

Original packaging: You should always keep all medicines in their original packaging and not be packed loose.

From 2014, anyone flying from a UK airport has been expected to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage can be switched on. This doesn’t just apply to US-bound flights, either – passengers could be asked to power-up devices on any route.

Interesting question. Many airlines are stating on their websites that they have charging facilities at the gate where passengers can charge devices if they have time. When we contacted the DfT, a spokesman told us this information was not available for security reasons. The spokesman’s advice was to make sure all your devices are charged while at the airport. However, most statements from airlines suggest that it is ‘at the gate’ where you’ll need to prove the device is operational. This is important because it opens up more ‘charging’ locations.

Phones, tablets and laptops will certainly be on the list, but also devices such as MP3 players, camera equipment, electric shavers, along with hair dryers and straighteners. These are all devices that you’re allowed to carry in hand luggage.

It’s not clear and the Department for Transport has not elaborated on this. Our advice is that it would be prudent to ensure devices in the hold can be switched on.

Once again, the DfT is not giving away detailed information apart from confirming the restrictions will apply to flights to and from the United States. However, the underlying advice is that all international passengers should be in a position to comply with requests to turn on devices. UK travel organisation ABTA says the DfT has advised it that the new measures will affect ‘some routes into and out of the UK’ but it’s not saying which.

Here’s how a selection of popular airlines plan to address the problem of passengers with uncharged or broken devices.

British Airways: BAoriginally said that out-of-charge passengers would have to reschedule their flight but later updated this by stating they could choose to fly and have the device posted to an address of their choice. The airline will foot the bill.

Virgin Atlantic: Like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic has offered to pay for the broken or uncharged device to be posted to an address of the passenger’s choice.

Thomas Cook: The airline says that passengers would be allowed to join the flight from Gatwick Airport if they left their drained device behind, or arranged to have it forwarded on – presumably at their own cost.

Monarch and Thomson Holidays: No comment has been issued.

easyJet: The budget airline gave APH the following statement: “The safety and security of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority. The airline fully adheres to all regulations which apply to its flights.  easyJet is aware that the DfT may extend some of the new security measures but at this stage no new measures have been applied to passengers flying on easyJet flights. If that changes we will advise our passengers accordingly.”

American Airlines: The airline told Huffington Post: “Customers departing from certain European airports with electronic devices that won’t power on will be given the option to mail the device to their home or other location, discard the device, or be rebooked on a later flight at no charge.”

Anyone who can’t turn on a device when asked could be barred from the flight, or more likely have the device confiscated.

If your phone or other device is out of charge, there are options at most airports. This may include dedicated chargers, or just free plug sockets around the terminal. A recent study found that Heathrow and Luton airports had the most sockets.

You cannot travel with any of the following…
Oxidisers and organic peroxides, this includes bleach and car body repair kits
Acids and alkalis (such as ‘wet’ batteries)
Corrosives or bleaching agents (including mercury and chlorine)
Vehicle batteries and fuel systems
Self defence sprays (eg mace, pepper spray)
Radioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
Poisons or toxic substances (such as rat poison)
Biological hazards (eg infected blood, bacteria, viruses)
Materials that could spontaneously combust
Fire extinguishers

The following are not permitted in the hold or cabin as hand luggage…

Blasting caps
Detonators and fuses
Imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)
Mines, grenades, and other explosive military stores
Fireworks and pyrotechnics
Smoke canisters
Smoke cartridges
Dynamite
Gunpowder
Plastic explosives (including black powder and percussion caps)
Flares
Hand grenades
Gun cigarette lighters