Bag rummaging and security faffing be gone – for Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, has finally scrapped the 100ml rule.
The airport rule, introduced in August 2006 following concerns over liquid explosives, has come to an end at the London airport following the completion of a one-billion-pound technology upgrade set to deliver the fastest, smoothest security experience to date.
Until Friday 23 January 2026, a majority of jetsetters were forced to sort their liquids into clear plastic bags on approach to Heathrow’s security scanners and remove electronic equipment from hand luggage. However, both may now remain in luggage unless flagged by security staff.
The change comes as the rollout of next-generation CT security scanners has finished, promising faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys through the airport, which handled 84.5 million passengers in 2025.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said, “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. That means less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey – and millions fewer single-use plastic bags. This billion-pound investment means our customers can be confident they will continue to have a great experience at Heathrow.”
The rule change is set to usher passengers through checkpoints more quickly by allowing CT scanners to provide better images of cabin baggage and by saving almost 16 million plastic bags per year. It comes as Heathrow Airport was crowned Europe’s most punctual hub airport in 2025, with over 97 per cent of passengers waiting less than five minutes for security.
More international destinations are open to travellers than ever before via the bustling aviation hub, thanks to a flurry of newly-announced routes. New destinations include the American city of St Louis, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, daily flights to the southern Spanish city of Seville, and direct flights to Thailand’s largest island, Phuket.
