UK Airport Carry-On Rules: Security & Bag Limits (2026)

Flying from a UK airport involves two separate sets of rules: security screening rules set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and individual airline carry-on policies. Both matter for what you can bring into the cabin and how it must be packed. This guide covers what to expect at security, how UK rules compare post-Brexit, and the carry-on policies for the main airlines operating from UK airports.

UK Airport Security: What to Expect

UK airport security is run by private contractors under CAA oversight. The screening process is similar to EU airports, and the core rules have not changed since Brexit.

The 100ml Liquid Rule

The 100ml liquid limit applies at all UK airports, unchanged post-Brexit:

• Each liquid container must hold no more than 100ml
• All containers must fit in a single transparent resealable bag of no more than 1 litre (approximately 20 × 20 cm when laid flat)
• One bag per passenger
• The bag must be removed from your carry-on and placed in the tray at the screening point

This applies to drinks, creams, gels, pastes, aerosols, and sprays. Duty-free liquids purchased airside in a sealed security tamper-evident bag are permitted in the cabin.

Laptops and Electronics at the Tray

At most UK airports, laptops must be removed from bags and placed separately in a tray. This includes Heathrow all terminals, Gatwick North and South, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Bristol. Some airports are trialling advanced CT scanners that allow laptops to stay in bags — check the specific airport's website before travel.

Tablets, e-readers, and large cameras may also need to be removed at the discretion of screening staff.

Shoes and Belts

Unlike standard US TSA lanes, removing shoes is not mandatory at UK security, though you may be asked to remove them if they trigger the alarm. Metal belts, heavy boots, and boots with thick soles may need to come off.

UK Airline Carry-On Policies

British Airways

British Airways is one of the most carry-on-friendly airlines departing UK airports:

• Cabin bag: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
• Personal item: 45 × 36 × 20 cm
• Combined weight limit: 23 kg across both bags

The 23 kg combined limit is extraordinarily generous — it effectively makes weight a non-issue for almost all passengers. BA enforces size more than weight and does not routinely weigh bags at the gate.

Jet2

Jet2 operates from northern UK airports (Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) to European holiday destinations:

• Cabin bag: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
• Weight limit: 10 kg
• Personal item: not included in base fare — one bag only

Jet2 is known for weighing bags at check-in more consistently than most carriers. The 10 kg limit is enforced.

TUI (Thomson)

TUI operates charter and scheduled flights primarily from UK regional airports:

• Cabin bag: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
• Weight limit: 10 kg
• Personal item: small bag under seat permitted

TUI's dimensions are slightly smaller than Jet2's. Standard hand luggage bags designed for Ryanair (55 × 40 × 20 cm) are compatible with TUI.

Ryanair UK

Ryanair UK operations follow the same policy as Ryanair EU:

• Without Priority: 40 × 20 × 25 cm personal bag under seat only (free)
• With Priority Boarding or Cabin Bag add-on: 55 × 40 × 20 cm overhead bag + 40 × 20 × 25 cm personal bag, combined 10 kg
• Gate fees for non-compliant bags: up to £/€80

Ryanair uses physical bag sizer templates at gates across UK airports including Stansted, Gatwick South, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and others. Bags that do not fit the template are refused at the gate and must be checked into the hold for a fee.

easyJet

easyJet's UK policy mirrors its EU policy:

• Standard seat: 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat bag only
• FLEXI / upfront / extra legroom seat: 56 × 45 × 25 cm overhead cabin bag + under-seat bag, no weight limit

easyJet does not enforce weight limits, which is a meaningful advantage over Jet2 and TUI for heavier packers.

Wizz Air (UK routes)

Wizz Air UK closely follows its EU policy:

• Standard: 40 × 30 × 20 cm under-seat bag
• Wizz Priority / Cabin Bag Plus: 55 × 40 × 23 cm overhead bag + personal bag, 10 kg combined

Airport-Specific Tips

Heathrow Terminal 5 (British Airways)

Heathrow T5 is the dedicated British Airways terminal and generally offers a smoother experience than multi-airline terminals:

• T5 has CT scanning technology in some lanes — check signage for "CT lanes" where laptops may stay in bags
• Fast Track security is available with BA Business Class, Gold and Silver Executive Club cards
• The terminal is large — allow time to reach gates, particularly A gates that require a transit train

Gatwick South Terminal

Gatwick South Terminal serves easyJet as its primary carrier and handles significant Ryanair volume on UK and European routes:

• Standard security lanes require laptops out
• Gatwick South can experience long security queues during morning peaks — arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure in summer
• easyJet and Ryanair both use bag sizers at South Terminal gates; enforcement is consistent

Prohibited Items in UK Cabin Baggage

Items not permitted in carry-on at UK airports:

• Knives and blades of any length (with limited exceptions for medical devices)
• Scissors with blades over 6 cm
• Firearms and realistic replica firearms
• Flammable substances
• Sporting bats and sticks (baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks)
• Larger quantities of liquids (over 100ml per container)

Lithium batteries (power banks, spare laptop batteries) must travel in carry-on, not checked baggage.

Practical Tips for UK Departures

Pack your liquids bag last and on top. You need to pull it out at the tray quickly. A small clear zip bag in the outer pocket of your carry-on saves time.

Check the specific airport's CT scanner policy. A growing number of UK airports have rolled out CT scanning that eliminates the laptop removal step — but not all lanes have it yet.

Budget airline passengers: buy the cabin bag add-on at booking. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet (on standard fares) all charge more for cabin bag upgrades purchased at the gate or post-booking versus at the original booking. The cheapest time to add it is when you buy your ticket.