Since 24 January 2026, all four Heathrow terminals scan cabin bags with next-generation CT scanners, so you can carry up to 2 litres of liquids loose in your bag, with no clear plastic bag and no need to take laptops or tablets out. The old 100ml rule is gone at Heathrow, but it still applies at many other airports. Checked August 2026.
What actually changed
For years, UK airport security meant decanting liquids into 100ml containers and bagging them separately in a clear resealable bag, then pulling laptops out of your case at the tray. Heathrow has now completed the rollout of CT scanners across all four terminals, T2, T3, T4 and T5, and the change took effect from 24 January 2026. These scanners produce a detailed 3D image of your bag's contents, which is why the old restrictions on liquids and electronics are no longer needed.
What you can bring now
Liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols up to 2 litres per container can stay in your hand luggage. You don't need to separate them into a clear plastic bag, and you don't need to limit yourself to 100ml bottles. Laptops and tablets can also stay in your bag rather than being placed in a separate tray. In practice this means you can pack a full-size shampoo bottle, a large tube of toothpaste, or a bottle of water bought before security, without worrying about confiscation at Heathrow.
What's still worth checking
The 2-litre limit is per container, not a total allowance, so extremely large containers, oversized aerosols or duty-free bottles bought elsewhere may still attract questions. Rules on things like sharp objects, weapons and other prohibited items haven't changed, only the liquids and electronics handling has. And crucially, the new rules are a Heathrow-specific (and wider UK rollout) change: if you're connecting through an airport that hasn't upgraded its scanners yet, the old 100ml rule may still be enforced there, so check the rules of any connecting airport before you travel, not just Heathrow's.
How this affects your time at security
Heathrow reports that over 97% of passengers waited under 5 minutes at security across 2025, helped along by the new scanners removing the need to unpack liquids and laptops at the tray. That said, the morning long-haul peak, roughly 05:00 to 08:00, at T3 and T5 can still push waits past 20 minutes, so it's still worth building in extra time if you're flying at that point in the morning. Heathrow's standard advice is to arrive 3 hours before a long-haul flight and about 2 hours before a short-haul or domestic one, rising to as much as 3.5 hours at the busiest times.
Fast Track if you want to skip the queue anyway
Even with the faster scanners, Fast Track lanes are still available if you'd rather guarantee a shorter wait. Fast Track through departures security costs from £12.99 per person at all four terminals, running roughly 06:00 to 21:00, and can be booked in advance or on the day. There's a separate Fast Track for arriving passengers going through passport control, £25 per person off-peak or from £35 at peak times, bookable up to six months ahead and closing an hour before you land.
A practical packing checklist for Heathrow
- Liquids, gels and pastes: up to 2 litres per container, loose in your bag, no clear plastic bag needed.
- Laptops and tablets: can stay in your bag through the scanner.
- Duty-free liquids bought after security: unaffected either way, since they're sealed and receipted at the point of sale.
- Connecting flights: check the security rules at your connecting airport separately, since not everywhere has caught up with Heathrow's CT scanners yet.
For everything else on offer at the airport, including lounges, prayer rooms and left luggage, see the facilities page.
Frequently asked questions
When did Heathrow change its liquid rules? From 24 January 2026, once CT scanners were rolled out across all four terminals.
Can I take a full bottle of water through security at Heathrow now? Yes, up to 2 litres per container can go through loose in your bag, without a clear plastic bag.
Do I still need to take my laptop out at security? No. Laptops and tablets can stay in your bag thanks to the new CT scanners.
Does the 2-litre liquids rule apply at every airport I might connect through? No. It's specific to airports that have completed the CT scanner rollout. Many other airports still enforce the older 100ml rule, so check before you fly onward.
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More: Overview, Facilities, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.