Edinburgh Airport’s headline-grabbing decision to scrap the old 100ml liquid limit has left passengers wondering if it’s time to ditch their tiny shampoo bottles for good. But is every airport ready to let you carry that big bottle of wine in your hand luggage? Well, not exactly.
Edinburgh Leads the Way — But Who’s Next?
Edinburgh Airport now lets you carry liquids up to two litres — yes, two litres — in your cabin bag. No more awkwardly unzipping your case to juggle clear plastic bags at security. They’ve spent £24 million adding extra lanes and installing eight hi-tech 3D scanners to make it possible.
Birmingham Airport in England has done the same. So that’s two major UK airports saying goodbye to the tiny-toiletries era that’s been the norm since 2006.
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s CEO, says it’s a “momentous day” for passengers who’ve only ever known the strict 100ml rule.
What’s Changing For Travellers?
Here’s what the new rules mean at Edinburgh:
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Liquids up to 2 litres are fine in your hand luggage.
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No limit on the number of containers you bring.
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No need to separate liquids — they stay in your bag.
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Large electronics, like laptops and tablets, can also stay packed.
You can even pack a bottle of wine — just don’t try to swig it on the plane.
But there’s a small catch: metal water bottles still need to be empty when you go through security.
So, Can You Fly Back the Same Way?
Not necessarily. This is where things get tricky — and where a lot of people might get caught out.
Dewar warns that passengers should double-check the liquid rules at their return airport. Why? Because not every airport has these scanners yet. In fact, many airports in the UK — and pretty much all international hubs — still stick with the 100ml limit.
So you could fly out from Edinburgh with a full two-litre water bottle, but on the way back, you might have to bin it at security if the airport doesn’t have the upgraded tech.
What’s Holding Other Airports Back?
Rolling out these new scanners isn’t cheap — or quick. Edinburgh’s eight new CT scanners and two extra security lanes cost £24 million alone.
Some airports are still installing the technology. Others are running trials or waiting on regulations to line up. And some international airports, especially in places with tight security restrictions, are likely to keep the 100ml rule for now.
A few major hubs, like London City Airport, have trialled dropping the limit, but progress is patchy.
Passengers Want Consistency
For frequent flyers, the mixed bag of rules is a headache. Travel groups have called for more airports to update their scanners and bring in consistent rules, so passengers aren’t left guessing.
Many people are also wondering: will this finally speed up queues at security? Edinburgh says yes — the 3D scanners mean staff can see inside bags more clearly, so fewer items need to be checked by hand.
For now though, that handy big bottle of sun cream might still need to go in the hold if you’re flying back through an airport that’s sticking to the old limits.
So before you pack that full-size shampoo, do a quick check on your return airport — or be ready to say goodbye to it at the scanner.
