It's more evolution than revolution for the UK's airports with major changes coming in when it comes to hand luggage, getting through security and 100ml liquid limits.
Currently, there are strict limits on what liquids you can take through UK airports. They've been in place since 2006 as a result of a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the USA with homemade liquid bombs.
As a result, you can only bring liquids less than 100ml through airport security in your hand luggage. And all your liquids have to fit in to one 20cm by 20cm clear, plastic bag.
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But things are changing, with the rule set to be scrapped by the summer of 2025.
Some UK airports are ahead of the curve, with the rule scrapped at three airports already.
For those who aren't flying from those three, there is a clever hack you can take advantage of to get around the 100ml liquid rule for now that is completely above board and even advertised.
But the end goal of scrapping the rule across UK airports has now been described as 'pointless' for the time being due to one specific flaw that's been highlighted by travellers.
What's happening?
The UK government has made it the law for all airports in the UK to bring in Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) Scanners.
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These will let passengers bring a total of two litres of liquid in their hand luggage and you wont need to take them out when you get to security. It'll be a case of just putting your bag in to an airport tray and away we go.
Items such as laptops and tablets can also be kept in your hand luggage in a process that should hugely reduce waiting times and speed up how quickly we can take advantage of that airport pint.
Which airports have the new scanners already and where is waiting?
Three UK airports have the scanners in place.
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Aberdeen International Airport was the latest to join the list after Teeside and London City airports had already brought the measures in.
Heathrow Airport should be next, with a summer deadline set self-imposed on the travel hub.
Gatwick Airport reckons it'll be March 2025 when the scanners are installed there.
Manchester, East Midlands, and London Stansted airports are expecting to be operational in 2025.
What's the apparent issue with scrapping the 100ml limit?
It all comes down to the journey home.
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One person on X (previously Twitter), posted saying: "London City Airport got rid of 100ml rule but even though I think it’s great, you would technically have to leave a product (if 101ml+) bottle if you’re flying on an airline on the way back if you don’t have a checked in bag.
"So no problems going out, but coming back in if you want to keep."
Another wrote: "How likely is it that the destination you're flying to also has that tech? So when you fly back, you'll still have to use the 100ml rule for years after our rules change internally."
A third posted: "If the airport you're flying back from still has the 100ml rule, it's still a pain in the a**e."
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And a fourth said: "Until the destination airports are all on same page it's pointless anyway, I don't want to be stuck in security flying home behind people arguing and trying to take back toiletries, fragrances and booze that doesn't meet the 100ml rules that weren't the requirement on the way out."
LADbible approached the Department for Transport for clarity on the situation for Brits travelling back to the UK with liquids heavier than 100ml. It responded with fresh travel guidance which you can find here.
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