For a lot of holidaymakers, this Easter will be the first time they have visited an airport in more than two years.
If you haven't been on a plane since the pandemic began, it can be easy to forget the rules regarding security and what you are and aren't allowed to take in your suitcase.
When it comes to packing your hand luggage, the devil is in the details, and even making one small mistake may mean you are subject to a full search by security staff.
READ MORE — Aldi crowned cheapest Easter supermarket beating Lidl, Tesco, and Asda
If you're already in a rush, this can slow you down even further — and may even cause you to miss your flight.
Luckily, Glasgow Airport have shared a list of common questions passengers have regarding hand luggage, and have provided answers to all of them.
Here's what you need to know to ensure your journey through Glasgow Airport is as smooth as possible.
How many bags am I allowed?
If your airline allows it, you may take more than one item of hand baggage through security control at Glasgow Airport. However, please check with your airline, as some operate additional limits.
What size should my bag be?
Your airline may enforce restrictions on the size and number of cabin bags. Please contact your airline for further information.
What liquids can I bring onboard?
Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through airport security into the departure lounge.
If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in) This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.
Liquids include:
- all drinks, including water
- liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups
- cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
- sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
- pastes, including toothpaste
- gels, including hair and shower gel
- contact lens solution
- any other solutions and items of similar consistency
The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:
- Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less
- Liquids carried in containers capable of holding more than 100ml will not be permitted through security - please pack them in your hold baggage.
- Liquids bags must have a capacity no larger than 1 Litre and 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) in size.
- The transparent, plastic bag must be sealed and presented separately to the security loading officer – unsealed bags containing excess amounts of liquids will not be permitted through security. Zip fastening bags are unacceptable to use for carrying liquids. Liquids must be placed in a bag with an air tight seal.
- Only one liquid bag per person is permitted
The following exceptions may be made to the 100ml rule:
- Baby food or baby milk – please carry what you need for the flight. Some liquids may be selected for security testing.
- Liquid medicines: Please provide evidence for the requirement of medication for your flight. This can be provided through GP letter, repeat prescription/prescription labels. Liquid medication may also be selected for security testing. Find out more about travelling with medicines.
- Airport purchased goods over 100ml must be presented in a security tamper evidence bag. The bag will be provided to you on point of purchase and must not be opened until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.
Explosive or flammable liquids, and those that are considered toxic, are not permitted in either hand or hold luggage.
Can I bring a lighter onboard?
You can only carry 1 lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag (same as liquids under 100ml) which you must keep on you throughout the flight. You cannot;
- put it in your hold luggage
- put it in your hand luggage screening
Can I bring food and powders onboard?
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.
How will my baggage be screened?
All cabin baggage will be X-ray screened.
- Place laptops and large electrical items separately in a tray.
- Put coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in your coat or hand baggage.
- Place your hand baggage and coat into a tray.
- Place any liquid items (important: see Liquids above), correctly bagged, into the tray.
- Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
- Wheelchairs will be thoroughly searched.
To save time, we advise you to place only valuables and items required for the flight in your hand baggage.
What items are banned from bringing in hand luggage?
The following may not be carried in hand baggage.
Sharp items
This includes knives (with blades over 6cm), razor blades, box cutters, scissors (with blades over 6cm from fulcrim), axes, hatchets, cleavers, ice axes, ice picks, swords, sabres and sharp or pointed martial arts equipment.
Projectile-firing weapons
These include firearms, toy guns, replica/imitation guns, firearm parts (except telescopic sights), airguns, pellet guns, BB guns, flare guns, starting pistols, bows or crossbows, arrows, harpoon guns, spear guns, slingshots and catapults.
Stunning devices and incapacitating devices
Including stun guns, Tasers, animal killers, incapacitating chemicals, gases or sprays (eg Mace), pepper sprays, tear gas and animal repellent sprays.
Tools
This includes crowbars, drills and drill bits, saws, blowtorches, bolt guns, nail guns, or any tool with a blade or shaft over 6cm (eg screwdrivers or chisels).
Blunt instruments
This includes baseball/softball bats, clubs, batons, night sticks and martial arts equipment.
Explosive or incendiary substances
This includes ammunition, blasting caps, detonators and fuses, replica/imitation explosive devices, mines, grenades, pyrotechnics, smoke canisters, smoke cartridges, dynamite, gunpowder or plastic explosives.
Dangerous goods
These include flammable or harmful substances such as gases, oxidisers, poisons, corrosives and hazardous biological or chemical material.
Non-safety matches, lighter fluid and firelighters are also included. The Civil Aviation Authority guide What Can I Carry?* contains full details.
Please note that this list only refers to the carriage of items on board the aircraft. With regards to liquids, you will still be restricted to 100ml when passing through security.
A single cigarette lighter may be carried on your person.
We may additionally prevent any item considered to pose a security or safety risk from passing through to the departure lounge.
If you are in any doubt about a particular item of hand baggage, we recommend you to pack it in your hold baggage instead. Please see our checked baggage page for what can and can't be carried.
Airport shopping
For most destinations, anything you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft.
This includes bottled drinks, fragrances and cosmetics in sizes over 100ml.
Please note the following exceptions:
Australia
Liquids in containers over 100ml may not be taken on these flights.
Connecting flights after Glasgow
For some destinations, restrictions apply on the sale of liquids if you're stopping en route after Glasgow.
This is because you'll have to pass through security at the connecting airport.
Please ask shop staff if you're unsure. Our Glasgow Airport shopping page lists stores' phone numbers.
Returning the same day
For some destinations, if you're returning on the same day there are restrictions on the sale of liquids at Glasgow.
This is because you'll have to pass through security at your destination airport when you catch the return flight.
Please ask shop staff if you're unsure. Our Glasgow Airport shopping page lists stores' phone numbers.
