Heathrow's Liquids Limit Lifted After £1 Billion Tech Upgrade
Travellers will no longer be forced to wrestle with tiny toiletry bottles and juggle electronic devices at security checkpoints as Heathrow airport has finally scrapped its 100ml liquid limit. The new scanners, which use CT technology to scan passengers' bags in 3D, are now live across the UK's biggest airport.
The restrictions, introduced in 2006 following a foiled transatlantic bomb plot, required passengers to pack their micro-toiletries in clear plastic bags and remove large electrical devices like tablets and laptops for scanning. However, this has been replaced with a simpler system where each container can hold up to two litres of liquid.
The new scanners, which Heathrow claims will save 16 million plastic bags a year, are part of a £1 billion upgrade designed to speed up security checks. The airport's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, hailed the move as "a game-changer" that will give passengers more time to enjoy their journeys.
However, the relaxation of rules only applies to flights departing from Heathrow, so if you take bigger toiletries on an outbound flight, there's no guarantee they'll be allowed back through security abroad. Travel experts advise checking individual airport restrictions before boarding return flights.
The upgrade comes after a series of delays and setbacks, including a pushback of the original deadline from December 2022 to June 2024, which was then missed by several smaller airports. The government even reinstated the 100ml limit on liquids for some airports until regulatory approval is given.
Despite this patchwork approach, Heathrow has finally joined the ranks of other UK airports that have implemented the new scanners, allowing passengers to keep their liquids in bags without restriction. London City, Luton and Teesside are among those airports with the technology, although some still await regulatory approval.
Travellers will no longer be forced to wrestle with tiny toiletry bottles and juggle electronic devices at security checkpoints as Heathrow airport has finally scrapped its 100ml liquid limit. The new scanners, which use CT technology to scan passengers' bags in 3D, are now live across the UK's biggest airport.
The restrictions, introduced in 2006 following a foiled transatlantic bomb plot, required passengers to pack their micro-toiletries in clear plastic bags and remove large electrical devices like tablets and laptops for scanning. However, this has been replaced with a simpler system where each container can hold up to two litres of liquid.
The new scanners, which Heathrow claims will save 16 million plastic bags a year, are part of a £1 billion upgrade designed to speed up security checks. The airport's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, hailed the move as "a game-changer" that will give passengers more time to enjoy their journeys.
However, the relaxation of rules only applies to flights departing from Heathrow, so if you take bigger toiletries on an outbound flight, there's no guarantee they'll be allowed back through security abroad. Travel experts advise checking individual airport restrictions before boarding return flights.
The upgrade comes after a series of delays and setbacks, including a pushback of the original deadline from December 2022 to June 2024, which was then missed by several smaller airports. The government even reinstated the 100ml limit on liquids for some airports until regulatory approval is given.
Despite this patchwork approach, Heathrow has finally joined the ranks of other UK airports that have implemented the new scanners, allowing passengers to keep their liquids in bags without restriction. London City, Luton and Teesside are among those airports with the technology, although some still await regulatory approval.
yay! I'm so glad Heathrow has finally ditched the tiny toiletry bottle hassle 
it was such a pain for everyone, especially on long-haul flights. The new scanners are super cool and will save millions of plastic bags per year - that's a win-win for the planet 
. I know some airports still haven't got the tech yet, so it's good that travel experts are advising people to check before their trip. And who knows, maybe this is just the start of bigger changes? 
. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with all that hassle every time you fly? It's just not fair. And £1 billion is a lot of money, but it's about time we got some decent tech in our airports. I remember back in the day when they first introduced those 100ml limit restrictions...it was like something out of a movie, people were literally wrestling with tiny toiletry bottles 
. Anyway, I'm glad to see that Heathrow is leading the way and making travel a bit more enjoyable for everyone. Now if only other airports would follow suit... 
Another airport just relaxed its liquid limit rules and people are gonna be super relieved... but let's be real, this is just a bandaid solution 
. £1 billion for a tech upgrade that was delayed multiple times? That's like throwing money at a problem rather than solving it properly 
. And now we're back to a patchwork system where some airports have the new scanners while others don't 
. More headaches for travellers in the long run... not exactly "game-changer" vibes 
.
... I mean, who thought it was a good idea to make us carry around tiny toiletry bottles? Anyway, this new tech is kinda cool 
, but what's up with the uneven rollout? Heathrow gets the luxury treatment while other airports are still stuck in the dark ages. And don't even get me started on the £1 billion price tag... could've been used for something way more practical 
. But hey, at least we won't have to wrestle with those tiny bags anymore 
. Just wish they'd sort out the return flight thingie...
10 yrs late but worth it! 
anyway, it's so cool they got rid of those tiny toiletry bottles, i mean who hasn't struggled with those at security checkpoints lol 
but still gotta check the rules for return flights cuz they're all different apparently 
The thought of 16 million fewer plastic bags is literally a game-changer... for the environment, anyway 
. But seriously, this upgrade should make security checks way more efficient, so I'm all for it! One less thing to worry about when traveling, yay 
oh man I'm so stoked about this!!! Heathrow just lifted the 100ml liquid limit and it's like a weight's been lifted off our shoulders 
no more wrestling with tiny toiletry bottles or juggling devices at security checks 
I mean, the tech upgrade is £1 billion worth and it's finally happening after all those delays 
but still, Heathrow's leading the way now and other airports are gonna follow suit 
can't wait to see this become a norm across the UK 
anyhoo this new scanner tech is supposed 2 save like 16 million plastic bags a yr which sounds pretty cool im all for reducing waste tho 
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but travel experts say ur still gotta check the airport rules 4 return flights lol dont wanna get caught w/ big toiletries 
Heathrow's been ridin' that 100ml liquid limit since 2006! I remember when we used to have to wrestle with those tiny bags and remove our laptops from our carry-on's... it was a right pain in the neck 
. And let's not forget, it's gonna save 16 million plastic bags a year - that's just awesome 
. anyway, this tech upgrade is def a game-changer for travellers... no more stressing about liquids and electronics at security checks! 
. The new scanners are a total game-changer, not just for us passengers but also for the environment – we can save so many plastic bags in the process 
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think about all the plastic bags it's gonna save us, that's so cool! but i wonder how long it took to actually make these new scanners, like was it really worth the delays & setbacks? and what's up with some airports still having the old rules, doesnt seem fair 