Safety and security

New baggage rules - check with your airline before you fly.

At Glasgow Airport passengers may now carry more than one item of hand baggage through security. But you should check hand baggage allowances with your airline before arriving at the airport, as the weight and size of hand baggage allowances differ between airlines. Some airlines may allow you to carry one item only.

Whatever the number of items, each must be no larger than 56cm tall, 45cm wide and 25cm deep.

Heightened security measures remain in force at all UK airports. We're doing everything we can to minimise delays caused by these measures, which are designed for your protection. We appreciate your patience and understanding and in the meantime we advise you to arrive early and allow plenty of time for security screening.

This page has all the relevant information you need but you may want to download our useful security guidelines. This explains the process before leaving home, checking in and going through security. It also has a list of what you can and can't take on board as well as a useful guide to travelling with medicines.

Download our security guidelines (123KB PDF)

Hand baggage restrictions
Hand baggage must be no larger than:

• 56cm (22in) tall
• 45cm (17.7in) wide
• 25cm (10in) deep

You should also check with your airline, as some operate further limits on bag size.

All items carried will be X-ray screened.

• Laptop computers and large electrical items must be placed in a separate tray.
• Smaller items (eg cameras or mobile phones) can remain in your bag for screening.
• Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
• Wheelchairs will be thoroughly searched.

To save time, we advise you to place only valuables and items you need for the flight into your hand baggage.

Travelling with liquids - 100ml rule
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 holding up to 100ml.

• They must be carried separately in a single transparent, re-sealable 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.

Exceptions to the 100ml rule can be made for baby food or milk. However, you should only carry what you need for the flight, and you may be asked to taste these items at security control. 

FAQ: Babies and families

Exceptions may also be made for medicines. However, you may be asked to taste any liquid medicines, or to provide evidence (such as a doctor's letter) that you need them for your journey.

Not allowed
Sharp or pointed items must not be carried in hand baggage and will be confiscated at security control.

This includes knives, razor blades, cutlery, tools, hiking poles, hypodermic needles (unless medical necessity can be proved), catapults, corkscrews, toy or replica guns, sporting bats or cues and darts.

Scissors
Scissors with rounded blades are permitted. Scissors with pointed blades up to 3cm are also permitted.

Lighters etc
Christmas crackers, party poppers, cigarette lighters and non-safety matches may not be carried in either cabin or hold baggage. 

However one butane fuelled lighter can be carried on your person. Please note, petrol fuelled lighters, eg 'Zippo' cannot be carried on board an aircraft at all.

Umbrellas
Large, golfing type umbrellas are not permitted as they exceed the baggage size set by the DfT. Folding or collapsable umberellas that can fit within hand baggage can of course be carried. These items will be X-rayed.

Shopping at the airport
For most destinations, anything you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft, including bottled water, wines and spirits, fragrances and cosmetics in sizes over 100ml.

However, the rules are different for connecting flights (see below) and some countries have introduced their own rules; for example you cannot bring in any liquids over 100ml into Australia.

Connecting flights
If you are transferring to another flight before you reach your final destination, particularly within the EU, store staff may need to place your purchases in a special sealed bag. However if you are transferring within the USA or Canada you will need to place your purchases over 100ml in your hold baggage, which all passengers have to pick up before transferring to their next flight.

Further information

Frequently asked questions
Read our regularly updated frequently asked questions. 

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