Security FAQs

The capacity must not exceed 1 litre (this is about 20cm x 20cm, or 8in x 8in).

1 bag per travelling passenger.  Exceptions are in place for prescribed medication/dietary supplements as well as food/milk for infants under the age of 2.

Not in hand luggage, these have to be packed in your hold baggage that you check-in.

Please see hand baggage restrictions for more information.

Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines.  Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security.  You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.

Food in sauces or dishes that have a high liquid content will need to be in containers 100ml or less, and go into a transparent, resealable bag.

Following outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, it is now illegal to take some meat and dairy products abroad. To find out more, please visit the Defra website or call 0845 933 5577.

Yes, but these need to be in containers 100ml or less, and have to go into your transparent, resealable bag.

You may carry a couple of spare pairs in your hand baggage. The packages need to be sealed. Beyond that, you should pack in your hold luggage.

Yes. Contact lens solution can be included in your liquid allowance, which must be in a container 100ml or less inside a transparent, resealable bag.

Yes, you can take on board all solid cosmetics and so a standard lipstick would be acceptable as would solid deodorants. You can also take atomiser/cream/roll-on deodorants in containers up to 100ml. These will need to go in a transparent resealable bag.

Yes. If you are on a direct flight to your destination, you can "fly with everything you buy" after security.

The are exceptions, such as Australia, where you cannot buy any liquids over 100ml. If in doubt, please ask a member of store staff.

Yes, there are no limitations on electrical items.

We will ask for items to be removed and screened separately - laptop computers and large electrical items must be removed from hand baggage and placed in the trays with other belongings.

Yes, but please place these items in your hand luggage or your jacket so that they can be placed in our security trays and pass through the X-ray machine.

Yes, you can.

No, absolutely not. Independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC), to establish the full and exact details of any potential film damage caused by baggage screening machines at airports, have given the all-clear to current hand-luggage x-ray inspection systems as installed at Glasgow Airport. Please see our website for further detail on this if you are carrying professional film ISO 800 or above.

Yes you can but you are only allowed to carry the one gas cartridge that powers the appliance. But please double check with your airline first as some carriers may restrict these items.

Yes, providing it is not longer than 6cm.

Yes, providing the blades are not longer than 6cm (measured from the fulcrum).

Knitting needles are allowed.

Yes, you can carry on books and magazines, brought with you in your hand luggage, or purchased in the departure lounge.

You should remove your footwear for security screening only if you are asked to do so by a security officer.

Yes you can carry glass items on board.

Yes, but please contact your airline as some may operate relevant cabin baggage restrictions.

Yes, the only restriction here might be that some items could be categorised as ‘sharp objects’. If you have any doubts then please check the restrictions in this area.

Yes, you may carry these either in your pocket (but remove them for screening at security) or in your hand baggage.

Umbrellas are permitted. They will be X-ray screened at security control.

Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip. Amounts under 100ml should be placed in a transparent, plastic bag with other liquids.

For amounts over 100ml, prior approval from the airline and departure airport, and supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription), are required.

All liquids should be presented at security for X-ray inspection. You may be asked to verify the liquid by tasting.

Yes, you are allowed to carry both the insulin and needles.

It is worth noting that the hold areas of an aircraft have different temperatures and customers should speak to their airline to ensure the medication could be stored correctly. 

Yes, you can. There is no limit to what you carry in tablet or pill form, whether it is prescribed medication or not.

Yes, you may carry an EpiPen in your hand luggage.

Yes, you can, but any spare canisters must be in your hold luggage. You may be asked to verify the item.

Yes, you may carry essential medicines for the trip. You may be asked to verify the item.

Yes, provided it complies with your airline's hand luggage rules. Please contact your airline if in doubt.

The Anthony Nolan Trust should be notified and they, in turn, should fax the details to security.

Yes, up to 100ml, and it has to be presented in a transparent plastic bag.

Please confirm the arrangements with your airline, as different operators have different rules on hand baggage.

Yes, you are allowed to take pushchairs, prams and buggies to the gate. These items will need to be X-rayed, though, and so your child/children will have to be lifted out at security. The security officers may make further checks of the pushchair.

Yes, you are allowed to carry these in your hand luggage through security and you can also buy them in the departure lounge.

Yes, you can carry wet wipes with you onboard.

Yes, you can carry milk powder.

If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your trip only and you may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents. There are no limits for powder formula; bottled water is available in shops after security. Your airline can provide water during the flight.

Yes, this is available from Boots after security.

You may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents. The milk should be in bottles.

If you are travelling with an infant, you may be asked to open the containers and taste the contents of infant or baby food that you bring with you. Try to only carry what you need for the journey. The jars do not need to go into the resealable bag.

For an adult, puréed food is treated as a liquid.

Yes, These may be carried through security and you should check with your airline when you check-in for your flight.

Yes, crisps are fine and sandwiches with any type of filling are also permitted.

Yes, you can only carry the amount needed for the trip and less than 100ml. You may need to test the liquid medicine by tasting it.

Yes, but please contact your airline as different operators have different rules.

Instruments will be subject to X-ray screening. Some accessories, such as percussion mallets or wire brushes for drums, may not be allowed in your hand luggage.

Yes, if it fits within any maximum dimensions for hand baggage set by your airline. Please contact your airline for more information.

Yes, providing it complies with any cabin baggage restrictions imposed by your airline.

Air tanks for diving cannot be carried. Small non-toxic gas cylinders, for example, those used for artificial limbs or in lifejackets, may be carried in the cabin or in hold baggage; however, you must check with your carrier as they must approve the carriage of such items.

Yes, providing it complies with your airline's hand baggage regulations. There are limitations on sharp objects and so you should double-check none of your equipment is covered by those restrictions.

Yes, you can still padlock it, or use a combination lock. Luggage that is checked in the USA must either be left unlocked or locked with a special padlock approved by the TSA. Your carrier will be able to give you further details if you 

Yes, absolutely (but to be clear, this is only with items purchased after security checks). 

Yes. You can take water on board all flights, including flights to the USA.

Yes. If you are on a direct flight to the USA, you can "fly with everything you buy" after security. 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. Please speak to a member of store staff for details.

If your journey involves transferring or transiting through Glasgow Airport, you may be permitted to carry liquids, aerosols or gels – including duty free – through security in either of the following cases:

1. The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at an airport in the European Union*, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier or one from Norway, Iceland or Switzerland . The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport/airline, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought on the day of travel.

Or

2. The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at one of the following airports: all international airports in Canada and the USA; Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb in Croatia; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; or Changi in Singapore. The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought within the last 36 hours.

* The EU member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Have it ready for inspection at security. Ensure it is fastened closed and kept separate to your hand luggage in the security tray.

• Remove laptops and other large electrical equipment from your bag and place them in a tray.
• Put all small items like keys, coins and mobile phones into your coat or hand baggage, then place these into a tray.
• If you have liquids in containers of 100ml or less, put them into a clear resealable bag, which should be placed alongside other items in your tray.
• If you have been asked to remove your shoes, place these in the tray too.
• Place hand baggage onto the roller bed for X-ray screening.
• Any liquid/paste medicines in containers over 100ml may require verification at the security checkpoint.
• Go through the security archway when called forward by one of the security officers.

The current state of heightened security in the UK is unprecedented and your concern is understandable. We are strictly regulated by the Department for Transport, who have always had procedures in place for us to follow to ensure adequate aviation security. We have processes in place for searching and screening both passengers and their luggage prior to their entry to restricted areas – this also includes screening of the catering provisions.

In addition, there are stringent procedures for screening and vetting all our employees prior to joining the airport’s workforce. These procedures are constantly reviewed.