With a little preparation, there’s a lot you can do to make sure your journey through airport security is as quick and hassle-free as possible. Here are a few things to consider.
What can I take?
Making sure passengers only bring on board permitted items is one of our biggest responsibilities. Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not allowed before you arrive could save you, and other passengers, time and inconvenience.
Hand baggage
If your airline allows it, you may take more than one item of hand baggage through security control. Please check with your airline before arriving at the airport.
Each piece of hand baggage must be no larger than:
- 56cm (22in) tall
- 45cm (17.7in) wide
- 25cm (10in) deep.
Liquids
Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through security control as hand baggage. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:
- Liquid items may only be carried in containers no larger than 100ml.
- They must be carried separately in a single transparent, resealable plastic bag.
- The bag must be no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) and all items must fit inside so that it closes properly.
- At security control the bag must be placed separately on the conveyor belt for screening.
- Liquid items larger than 100ml should be packed in your hold luggage – otherwise they will be confiscated.
Baby products
Only carry what you need for the trip. Wet wipes and powdered baby food are fine, but you’ll be asked to taste the following:
- Baby milk
- Sterilised water intended to make up powdered feed
- Baby food in liquid, gel or paste form
Please note baby juice (unless a specific dietary requirement juice) is not permitted to be carried through the security search area.
Medicines and essential medical equipment
Essential Medicines for the period of the trip may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit however they will be subject to authentication and passengers must have obtained the prior agreement of their airline. If passengers need to carry medicine of this nature they must also carry with them supporting documentation, either a prescription and/or letter from a relevant qualified medical professional. Please note medicine of a non essential nature, i.e. non-prescribed or “over the counter” liquid based medication must be carried in containers not exceeding 100ml and must be presented within the clear re-sealable bag along with other liquid based products.
Electrical items
We'll ask you to remove portable DVD players and laptops from your luggage so that they can be screened separately. Digital cameras and mobile phones can stay in your hand baggage to be X-rayed.
Sharp items
Almost all sharp items are forbidden from hand baggage, including:
- Toy or replica guns
- Razor blades
- Sport bats/clubs/cues
- Scissors (Except round-ended blades)
- Knives
- Tools
- Darts
- Cutlery
Going through security
- Have your boarding pass ready for inspection.
- If you’re carrying any liquid items in a clear re-sealable plastic bag, take them out of your hand baggage ready for inspection.
- Take off your coat and belt when you reach the front of the queue so you’re ready for the X-ray machines.
- Large electrical items, such as laptops, may need to go through X-ray machines seaparately, so get them ready by taking them out of your hand luggage.