Heathrow Drops 100ml Liquid Rule — Here's What It Means for Travelers

If you've ever had a bottle of water confiscated at airport security, you'll appreciate this news: London Heathrow has officially dropped the 100ml liquid limit.

As of January 23, 2026, passengers flying through Heathrow no longer need to remove liquids or laptops from their bags at security. No more stuffing toiletries into tiny containers. No more clear plastic baggies.

What Changed

Heathrow completed a £1 billion upgrade installing next-generation CT scanners across all four terminals (T2, T3, T4, and T5). These scanners create detailed 3D images of bag contents, eliminating the need for the old restrictions.

The new rules:

• Liquids up to 2 liters can stay in your bag
• Laptops and large electronics can remain packed
• No clear plastic bags required

The Fine Print

A few restrictions remain:

• **Metal/double-walled bottles** must be emptied (you can refill after security)
• **US-bound flights** still prohibit powders over 350ml or 350g in carry-ons
• **Duty-free purchases** must remain in sealed bags with receipts

Why This Matters

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye called it a milestone: "Every Heathrow passenger can now leave their liquids and laptops in their bags at security as we become the largest airport in the world to roll out the latest security scanning technology."

Beyond convenience, the airport estimates this will eliminate nearly 16 million single-use plastic bags annually.

Will Other Airports Follow?

The technology exists — it's a matter of investment and rollout. Several European airports have already begun similar upgrades. The TSA in the United States has been testing CT scanners but hasn't announced plans to lift liquid restrictions yet.

For now, if you're flying through Heathrow, enjoy the freedom of packing a full-size shampoo bottle. Just remember the rules may differ at your departure airport if you're connecting.