The first major airport in the U.K. has officially nixed its rule limiting travel-sized liquids in carry-on bags.
At London City Airport, travelers can now bring full-sized liquids through the security checkpoint up to two liters (about 67 ounces)—and they no longer need to separate liquids into clear bags.
The more relaxed screening procedures are possible thanks to new scanners at the security checkpoints that use computed tomography (CT) imaging technology. The upgraded scanners are able to produce a more detailed, 3D image of the interior of bags and luggage contents. The new scanners also mean travelers no longer need to remove larger electronics like laptops from their baggage.
All airports in the U.K. are required to deploy the high-tech CT scanners by June 2024, at which point the liquid limit is set to end nationwide. London City Airport is the second airport in the U.K. to end the rule. Smaller, regional airport Teesside in Northern England was the first, stopping the liquid limitations in March.
Previously, passengers’ liquids were limited to bottles of 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) or less and all liquids had to fit inside a quart-sized bag. At U.S. airports, similar rules are still in effect at U.S. airports, set by the TSA.
Although the same type of enhanced scanners have been in use at more than 100 airports across the U.S., the TSA says it has no immediate plans of allowing full-sized liquids in carry-on bags. “While we have [CT scanners] deployed at more checkpoints, we are years away from announcing a change to the current liquids rule,” Robert Carter Langston, TSA's press secretary, said in an emailed statement last December.
At U.S. airports with CT scanners, passengers do enjoy somewhat more lax and streamlined procedures, as they’re usually not required to remove their travel-sized liquids, electronics, or food from their bags.
Of course, even in the U.S., there are exceptions to the travel-sized liquid rules. Travelers can bring full-sized bottles of certain medically necessary liquids in their carry-ons—like prescription creams and gels, liquid medications, breastmilk and infant formula, drinks for toddlers, hand sanitizer, and more. Passengers should alert the TSA agent that they’re carrying full-sized medical liquids through security. And while, in general, these items are waved through, the final decision rests with the TSA officer, who is allowed to deny travelers on a case-by-case basis.