Background: The 100ml Rule
Since 2006, passengers flying from most airports worldwide have been limited to carrying liquids in containers of up to 100 milliliters, all placed within a 1-liter transparent plastic bag. This was a security response to liquid-based terrorist threats.
What’s Changing in 2025?
New airport security technologies—specifically 3D CT scanners—have allowed authorities to reconsider the outdated 100ml limit. These scanners can detect threats more accurately without needing liquids to be removed from bags.
🇪🇺 European Union
- As of August 2025, airports in the EU are beginning to lift the 100ml restriction.
- Approved airports equipped with certified CT scanners may now allow passengers to carry containers up to 2 liters in hand luggage.
- Implementation is airport-specific. Airports like Berlin Brandenburg, Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, and Amsterdam Schiphol are among the first to reintroduce relaxed limits.
- The rule is not universal across the EU yet. Airports without approved scanners still enforce the 100ml rule.
This uneven rollout has led to confusion, particularly for travelers making connections. If you miss a connecting flight because of extended security checks, you may be eligible for missed connection compensation under EU261.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- The UK had initially planned to lift the rule in June 2024, but delays occurred.
- As of July 2025, airports such as Birmingham and Edinburgh have officially adopted the 2-liter limit for liquids in carry-on bags.
- Passengers at these airports no longer need to remove liquids or laptops from their bags during security screening.
- Other major airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to follow by the end of 2025.
🇺🇸 United States
- The TSA still enforces the traditional 3.4 ounces (100 ml) rule for liquids.
- CT scanners are being introduced gradually, but there is no official timeline for lifting the 100ml limit nationwide.
- U.S. airports are expected to maintain the current policy for several more years due to the scale and cost of implementation.
Airline Policies
- These liquid restrictions are determined by airport security, not airlines themselves.
- Airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates still instruct passengers to follow the 100ml rule unless they are departing from airports that have officially lifted it.
Key Considerations for Travelers
- Always check the specific rules of both your departure and return airports.
- Even if you depart from an airport allowing 2L containers, the return airport may still enforce the 100ml rule.
- Items in metal bottles may still need to be emptied, even under new scanning systems, due to visibility issues.
Summary Table
| Region | Old Rule | New Rule | Status (Aug 2025) |
| European Union | 100 ml per item, 1L total | Up to 2L per item | In progress; varies by airport |
| United Kingdom | 100 ml per item, 1L total | Up to 2L per item | Implemented at select airports (e.g., BHX, EDI) |
| United States | 100 ml (3.4 oz) per item | No change | Still enforced nationwide |
| Other Regions | Typically 100 ml | Local exceptions possible | Depends on airport and local regulations |
