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Flying with Liquids | Everything That You Need to Know

Flying with Liquids

You're probably thinking about which liquids can be carried in your carry-on baggage and which liquids must be packed in your checked baggage. You're allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on luggage. However, travellers are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or less per item.

Any liquids containing more than 100ml per item must be stored in your checked baggage. Exemptions will be made for medications and baby food.

Flying with Baby Milk

If you are travelling with a baby you are entitled to bring enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for your flight journey. In the UK there is no legal limit to how much baby food you can take on board but please check with the airport you are departing from. Individual containers of breast milk must not exceed 2,000ml. - breast milk will be screened at airport security.

You can carry breast milk, formula milk, sterilised water, soya milk, baby food and cooling gel packs for babies in your carry-on luggage. Frozen breast milk is not allowed to be packed in hand luggage.


Flying with Medication

Any essential medicines exceeding 100ml are allowed to be carried in your hand luggage. However, if you require special medicines over 100ml, then you'll need to provide medical professional documentation. Please bear in mind that airport staff may need to open any liquid containers and screen the liquids.

Medications allowed in carry-on baggage include tablets and capsules, essential liquid medicines, hypodermic syringes, inhalers, cooling gel packs and any special food and liquids needed for any medical purposes.

Find out more on our Flying with Medication page.


Flying with Alcohol

If you are looking to fly with alcohol, you can do so by as long as you are of the legal drinking age in the departure and arrival airports. Any alcohol packed in your carry-on baggage must not contain more than 100ml - alcohol should be stored in a quart-sized bag of liquids. 

Alcoholic drinks containing 24% and 70% alcohol are allowed in checked baggage. However, many airlines will not let travellers consume their own alcohol during the plane journey due to health and safety regulations. Any alcoholic drinks with 70% or more alcohol is not allowed to be taken on the plane.

Every country has different rules on what you can and can't carry with you on a plane. Get in touch with your departure airport to find out more about flying with alcohol regulations.


Flying with Liquid Foods

You're allowed to bring essential medications over 100ml in your carry-on baggage, including liquid dietary foods. You'll need to present documentation from a medical professional (for example, a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription) in order to bring liquid foods on board.

If you have any dietary requirements and need to bring specific foods with you during your journey you can do so!

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Flying with Liquids FAQs

Can I bring liquids over 100ml?

No, any fluid exceeding 100ml must be stored in checked baggage. If passengers were to travel with any fluid, it must be within 100ml and packed within a plastic bag for airport security check. Exemptions will be made for medicine and baby food.

Can I bring medicine on my flight?

Yes, you can! If you require any special medication for your flight journey you will be permitted to take it with you. However, any liquid medicines may be opened and screened at the airport security check.

Can I bring baby milk on my flight?

You are able to fly with baby milk regardless if you're travelling with a baby or not. Airport security staff will screen any baby milk and may request for you to sip the liquid. 

What happens if you pack liquids over 100ml in your carry-on baggage?

Please remember the 100ml rule when flying. The 100ml rule states that you should not pack items that contain more than 100ml. If you mistakenly pack any liquids over 100ml (which aren't stated for exemption) they will be removed and disposed of by airport security.  Any liquid that you need more than 100ml of should be packed in your hold luggage.

What can I carry on a plane?

There are a number of items and objects that you can and can't bring with you on a plane. Items that you can bring with you on a plane include gels, toothpaste, aerosols and drinks (100ml or less). To find out more, check out our 'What Can I Carry On A Plane' blog.

Can I take liquids in my carry-on?

If you decide to take liquids in your carry-on baggage you must follow the rules:

- Items must not exceed 100ml 

- Items must be in a single transparent, resealable plastic bag (20cm x 20cm)

- Items must fit comfortably in the bag so it can be sealed easily

Please note that each passenger is limited to 1 plastic bag.

Are liquid restrictions the same in every country?

Every country has different rules on what liquids you can carry with you on board. Please check the rules and regulations of the country you are flying from/to before travelling.