UK tourists have been advised to follow a crucial airport rule to avoid significant hold-ups at security. As the travel season gets underway, with many Brits heading off for holidays, it's worth bearing in mind that ignoring this guideline could lead to delays.
Why Reusable Water Bottles Cause Delays
The rule was recently highlighted on TikTok by travel agent Jake, who shared straight-talking tips online. He explained that reusable stainless steel water bottles are the number one reason for delays at airport security in the UK right now. While the 100ml liquid rule has been scrapped at some airports, allowing up to two litres of liquids, these bottles still need to be emptied because the scanners cannot check the liquid inside them.
Jake said: 'If you have one in your bag with liquid in, your bag will be pulled aside. You'll have that embarrassing moment where your bag goes down a different aisle. So, as you head to security, make sure you empty these.'
He added that if you forget, security will not make you throw away the bottle but will pour out the liquid, causing further delays for getting through duty-free and relaxing before your flight.
What You Need to Know
You must fully empty your reusable water bottle before passing through airport security. While the 100ml liquid limit may not apply to the container itself, any liquid left inside is banned and could lead to your bottle being seized. Even if your local airport permits larger liquid containers or does not require you to remove electronics from your bag, metal or insulated bottles (such as Hydro Flasks or Yetis) typically need to be drained because sophisticated scanners cannot see through double-wall insulation.
As Jake highlighted, certain airports now allow passengers to carry containers holding up to two litres of liquid in hand luggage, but this depends on the specific airport having state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology. It is always wise to check the regulations for your particular airport ahead of your journey. At major hubs including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, you are allowed to take containers holding up to two litres each. However, this rule only applies at select airports, so if in doubt, confirm with your airport before you travel.
