Heathrow Drops the 100ml Liquid Limit
Heathrow is heading into the summer holiday rush with a different security routine and several changes across its terminals. The airport has finished installing next-generation screening equipment, added direct destinations and expanded family facilities, restaurants and lounges. The biggest difference will be felt at security, where the familiar job of unpacking toiletries and electronics has been removed for departures through the UK’s busiest airport.
What Changes at Heathrow This Summer
- Airport: London Heathrow
- Investment: £1 billion
- Terminal coverage: All passenger terminals
- Bag screening: Liquids, laptops and other large electronics stay inside
- Liquid allowance: Containers holding up to two litres each
- Security performance: 97% wait under five minutes
- Expected summer traffic: More than 23 million passengers
Other changes cover families and premium lounges. Children aged eight and nine may use eGates if they are at least 120cm tall, accompanied by an adult and hold an eligible biometric passport. Kids Eat Free runs at selected restaurants between 20 July and 1 September. Virgin Atlantic has refurbished its premium Clubhouse lounge with a redesigned cinema area, new work pods and an exclusive Royal Box, while Air France has opened its first branded lounge in Terminal 4, offering French-inspired dining and complimentary Clarins treatments.
Heathrow has expanded its European network with direct flights to Seville, Tivat and Guernsey, giving passengers easier access to Seville’s historic centre, Montenegro’s Adriatic coast and the beaches of Guernsey. The airport has also added long-haul connections with St Louis, Lahore and Islamabad. Alaska Airlines now flies daily to Seattle, while Xiamen Air will introduce a new Xiamen service in September.
The new scanners should make departure less fiddly, particularly with laptops, tablets or larger liquid containers in hand luggage. However, the two-litre allowance applies when passing through Heathrow and may not be available at the airport used for the return flight. Airline cabin-bag limits have not changed either. Checking the rules at both airports remains necessary to avoid repacking bags or surrendering liquids later in the journey.
