London, Jan 23, 2026, 13:22 GMT
- Heathrow says all security lanes across its four terminals now use new scanners, so passengers can keep liquids and large electronics in carry-on
- The airport puts the upgrade cost at £1 billion and says it will cut preparation time at checkpoints
- UK guidance still warns rules vary by airport, and travellers can face different limits on return or connecting flights
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, said on Friday it has switched all security lanes to new computed tomography (CT) scanners, letting passengers keep liquids, laptops and tablets inside their hand luggage. Heathrow said the technology cost 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) and can clear liquid containers of up to two litres, replacing the 100ml limit introduced in 2006 after police foiled a plot involving liquid explosives. (Reuters)
Security checks are a choke point at big hubs, and Heathrow called the overhaul a bid to cut preparation time and ease pressure during peak periods. The airport estimates the change will save almost 16 million single-use plastic bags a year. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “Every Heathrow passenger can now leave their liquids and laptops in their bags at security.” (Heathrow Media Centre)
The shift comes after years of missed deadlines for new scanners and a policy reversal that forced some airports to reinstate the 100ml limit in 2024, the Guardian reported. It said the relaxed rule applies to flights leaving Heathrow, meaning passengers can still face tighter limits on the way home. (The Guardian)
On its website, Heathrow tells passengers travelling through all terminals to leave large electrical items and liquids, in individual containers up to two litres, inside cabin baggage at security. It also warns the new equipment may not be available at other airports in Britain or abroad. (Heathrow Airport)
The Independent said the scanners use CT technology — the same method used in medical imaging — to give officers a three-dimensional view of what’s inside a bag. Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said “A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule” as airports began easing restrictions. (The Independent)
But UK government guidance says: “At most airports, you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100ml through security.” It adds that rules depend on the airport and urges passengers to check the departure airport and any airports on their route, including the return journey. (Gov)
Heathrow has been a late mover among major UK airports, with London’s Gatwick, Stansted and London City already letting passengers keep liquids in hand luggage, the Standard reported. Some airports still cap liquids at 100ml even where passengers no longer have to pull them out for screening, it added. (The Standard)
International Airport Review said the new lanes replace traditional security with scanners capable of processing thousands of passengers per hour, using clearer images to reduce preparation time and ease congestion. It said Heathrow reported that more than 97% of passengers waited less than five minutes at security in 2025, pointing to the change as part of a wider push to improve operations. (Internationalairportreview)
