Which UK airports allow 2-litre liquids? Full 2026 airport rules explained

Travellers flying from different UK airports this summer could face different hand-luggage liquid rules, with some airports allowing containers of up to two litres while others continue to enforce the 100ml limit.

A review of current airport guidance by Ecigone found that 19 named airports were still publishing a 100ml container limit in August 2026, while nine airports included in the review allowed passengers to carry individual liquid containers of up to two litres.

The difference could catch out passengers carrying larger bottles, particularly those travelling through more than one airport.

The airports allowing containers of up to two litres are Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Southend.

At these airports, liquids can generally remain in cabin baggage during security screening, although individual restrictions still apply. For example, some airports require metal or insulated bottles to be empty.

By contrast, airports including East Midlands, Manchester, London Luton, London Stansted, London City, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon and Newcastle International continue to state that liquid containers must be no larger than 100ml.

The list also includes Aberdeen, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick, Inverness, Isle of Man, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Norwich, Southampton and Teesside International.

The changes follow the introduction of CT security scanners, which provide detailed 3D images of cabin bags and have allowed some airports to relax their previous liquid restrictions.

However, the review found that the introduction of the technology does not automatically mean an airport has increased its permitted container size. Several airports retaining the 100ml rule now allow liquids and electronics to remain inside passengers' bags during screening.

The practical difference, therefore, is often the size of the container rather than whether passengers have to unpack their hand luggage.

Shane Margereson, owner of adult-vaping retailer Ecigone, said travellers should be particularly careful when carrying e-liquids and vaping equipment.

“Do not assume a two-litre departure allowance changes the rules for the device,” he said. “E-liquid must meet the security limit at every airport on the route, while vapes and spare batteries must stay out of checked luggage and be protected against accidental activation or short circuits.”

Mr Margerson added: “The safest approach is to check the airport you leave from, any transfer point and the airport used for the return flight. Travellers should also read their airline’s policy and the destination rules, because getting an item through UK security does not automatically mean it can be carried or used everywhere.”

The UK Civil Aviation Authority advises passengers to keep vapes and spare lithium batteries in cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. Spare batteries should be individually protected against short circuits, while vaping devices must not be recharged on board. Airlines may also impose additional restrictions.

For passengers travelling through several airports, the safest approach is to pack according to the strictest liquid limit on the journey unless the current rules for every airport have been checked.

Before flying, holidaymakers should:

• Check the official security guidance for the departure airport shortly before travelling.
• Check the rules at every airport used for a transfer.
• Check the airport used for the return journey.
• Check the airline's rules for cabin baggage, vape devices and spare batteries.
• Check the destination country's laws on the import, possession and use of vaping products.