Security Advice
Prepare for Security and save time
Security is located on the first floor, with access from the North check in areas.
To save you time and make your journey more enjoyable, please follow our advice to prepare for security:
- Have travel documents ready for inspection.
- Comply with your airline’s guidelines on cabin baggage allowance.
- Liquids, pastes and gels, up to 100ml should be left in hand luggage during the security search.
- All electricals to remain in hand luggage during the security search.
- When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc., remove all belts. Watches can be left on.
- Pack all food or powders in your hold baggage where possible. Although these items are permitted in hand luggage, they can obstruct images on the x-ray machine, or may be mistaken for suspicious items - so putting them in the hold will help reduce the need for additional checks.
- Remove jackets and coats, as these will be screened separately through the x-ray scanner.
- Be prepared to remove your shoes if instructed to do so.
- Advise the on-duty security officer if you have a metal limb or implant. Where possible, travel with a confirmation note from your GP.
Please note
- If your airline advises that you should be at a boarding gate at a specific time, please allow time for any unforeseen delays at the security area.
- Once through Security, if you wish to return landside for any reason, UK Border Force require you to go through the security process again to re-enter the departure lounge.
Liquid restrictions
You are only allowed to take small quantities of liquid in your cabin baggage:
- These liquids must be in individual containers, a maximum capacity 100ml each.
Liquids include:
- E-cigarettes and associated items
- Cigarette lighters
- Water, drinks, soups and syrups
- Creams, lotions and oils, including lipstick and Vaseline
- Perfumes
- Sprays
- Gels, including hair and shower gels
- Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpaste
- Liquid-solid mixtures
- Mascara
- Any other item of similar consistency
Cooling and heat liquid based packs
Cooling gel packs and frozen ice packs required to cool liquids required for a medical or a special dietary purpose at a certain temperature are permitted in sufficient quantities for the trip as follows:
- For medication – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the liquid cool either on the label of the medication or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner or medical company. This does not apply to over the counter medicines.
- For baby food / milk – cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep these items cool.
- For expressed liquid breast milk - sufficient cooling gel packs and ice packs may be carried in order to keep the quantity of milk carried cool.
- For other dietary foodstuff /liquids – there should be documentary evidence to confirm the need to keep the food cool either on the label of the food or in the form of a letter from a medical practitioner.
Once we're satisfied that the packs are necessary, they will be screened by X-ray equipment if possible.
You may still:
- Pack liquids in any baggage you check in. Liquid restrictions only apply to cabin bags.
- Buy liquids such as drinks and perfumes in an EU airport after security or on board EU airlines.
Medicine and baby food
- Prescription medicines are allowed in cabin baggage but you must carry supporting medical documentation for the prescription.
- You are permitted to take enough baby food required for the journey to your destination. Security officers may carry out additional screening, using our state-of-the-art, liquid and food testing stations.
Camera film
- You may choose to alert security staff to the fact that you are carrying camera film. The security staff can then apply an alternative method of screening to your film.
Cabin baggage guidelines
- Hand luggage dimensions must not exceed 56cm long, 45cm wide and 25cm deep (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc). Some airlines impose more restrictive dimensions so you must check with your airline before flying.
- Musical instruments will be allowed (even if they do not fit the dimensions required for cabin baggage). You should check with your airline before flying. These will be screened separately.
Sharp and pointed items
The following list is indicative of the type of item not permitted in cabin baggage. This is an example list and is not exhaustive. Please note, this is in addition to the list of dangerous and illegal goods published by individual airlines.
- Toy or replica guns
- Catapults
- Household cutlery
- Knives with blades longer than 6cm
- Paper knives
- Razor blades
- Tradesman’s tools
- Darts
- Scissors with pointed tips and blades longer than 6cm
- Sporting bats
- Billiard, snooker or pool cues
- Flammable liquids
- Gas canisters and butane energy cells
Travelling with Electronics
Please click here to read the Department for Transport's advice about travelling with electronics from certain countries to the UK.
Lithium Batteries
Both the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issue guidance about Lithium Batteries on board aircraft to help minimise potential risks. The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) also publishes air transport advice on individual models of mobility aids.
You should read the guidance on these websites if you are:
- Planning to travel with electrical items powered by lithium batteries, including electric mobility aids.
- Planning to carry spare lithium batteries on board a flight.
Contact your airline directly for any clarification of these regulations, as approval for certain items may be required prior to travel.