January 26, 2026
Shampoo-gate takes off
Heathrow scraps liquid container limit
Big bottles allowed at Heathrow—comments in chaos
TLDR: Heathrow now lets liquids up to two liters stay in your bag thanks to new CT scanners, but it only applies to departures from Heathrow. Commenters are split between cheering convenience and roasting “security theater,” with many saying it’s pointless unless every airport changes the rule.
Heathrow just binned the 100ml liquid rule for flights leaving the UK’s busiest airport, letting you keep up to two liters in your bag—and your laptop stays tucked in too. Thanks to shiny new CT (3D) scanners, Heathrow says it’s now the biggest airport worldwide with the upgrade across all terminals. But the crowd isn’t popping champagne just yet. One user snapped: “Not sanity—just scanners,” while others grumble the win is pointless unless every airport plays along, since you won’t be flying “Heathrow to Heathrow.”
Cue chaos in the comments: are these machines finding dangerous liquids or just spotting big containers better? A confused chorus cites a Which? report about more bag hand-checks, and the June 2024 drama when the DfT told smaller airports to revert to 100ml. Memes rolled in about “2-liter shampoo flex” and “airport bingo: bring a kettle.” The security theater debate reignited hard—one hot take says batteries are the real in‑flight fire risk while governments fixate on soap bottles. Meanwhile, Heathrow’s CEO promises faster lanes and happier travelers, but commenters warn the rule only applies leaving Heathrow, so check your return airport. Relief, snark, and confusion—all boarding now. For official word, see Heathrow.
Key Points
- •Heathrow has fully rolled out CT scanners across all terminals and scrapped the 100ml liquids rule for departing flights, allowing containers up to two litres.
- •Passengers at Heathrow no longer need to remove laptops or use clear plastic bags for liquids in carry-on luggage.
- •Several UK airports (Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast) have raised liquid limits, but many still enforce 100ml, pending DfT approval.
- •The rollout faced delays: government goals set for June 2024 were missed by major airports, and some smaller airports were told to reinstate the 100ml rule; the EU reverted to 100ml in July 2024.
- •Heathrow says the scanners improve efficiency and safety; Which? reports increased manual searches due to scanner sensitivity, and industry groups note traveler confusion.