Security can be the most time-consuming part of your airport journey. But dress appropriately and pack your bags correctly and you’ll breeze through airport security. Follow our simple guide and spend more time relaxing before your flight.
Wear slip-on shoes and a shrug-on jacket, and avoid wearing metal. Sensitive scanners can pick up on the metal in jewellery, wired bras, belt buckles and piercings.
Organise your liquids, aerosols and gels. On international flights, these need to be in containers up to 100 ml each and all placed inside a single transparent 20 x 20 cm or 15 x 25 cm resealable plastic bag. Lipstick, mascara, shaving foam, deodorant and toothpaste all count as liquids. Baby food, formula and breastmilk are exempt, as is liquid medication (including inhalers), though you may need to show a doctor’s letter or prescription. Hypodermic needles will require a medical certificate.
Laptops and tablets are screened separately, so have them out before you reach the scanner. If flying overseas, charge all your devices or have a charger handy to meet US and UK rules. Pack spare batteries in hand luggage only. Strollers, prams, musical instruments and walking sticks will all have to be scanned, too.
