London Heathrow (LHR) has officially scrapped its long-standing carry-on liquids limits, removing one of the most frustrating rituals in modern airport security: decanting liquids into 100ml bottles, stuffing them into plastic bags, and pulling them out at the X-ray belt.
As of January 23, 2026, travelers departing from all Heathrow terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5) can now keep liquids and large electronics inside their bags during screening. The practical result is exactly what passengers have been asking for: you can carry normal-size shampoo, sunscreen, and beverages through security at LHR without the old 100ml cap.
What’s now allowed at LHR — and what you no longer need to do
At Heathrow (LHR), the new process is straightforward:
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Liquids can stay in your bag, and the old 100ml-per-container limit is gone (Heathrow is allowing containers up to 2 liters).
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Laptops and larger electronics can stay packed, instead of being separated into trays.
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No more plastic “liquids bag” requirement for security screening.
Security staff can still ask for additional screening if something alarms, but the baseline process is now designed to be faster and less hands-on for most passengers.
The enabling technology: CT security scanning, at full hub scale
This shift is possible because Heathrow has completed a full rollout of next-generation CT (computed tomography) scanners at passenger security. CT scanners build a 3D image of the contents of a bag rather than relying on the flatter 2D picture of conventional X-ray systems. That added data—density, shape, and layered view—improves detection capability and reduces the need for passengers to “deconstruct” their bags at the checkpoint.
For airport operations teams, the real benefit isn’t just traveler satisfaction. It’s throughput stability:
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fewer stoppages caused by liquids mistakes
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fewer tray-handling steps per passenger
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less variability at peak banks (which is where hubs like LHR get punished)
Heathrow’s leadership is also highlighting the sustainability angle: removing the liquids-bag requirement is expected to eliminate millions of single-use plastic bags each year.
Why this took so long in the UK and Europe
If this feels overdue, it is. The UK and parts of Europe have been on an uneven path toward “liquids-stay-packed” screening for years. Some airports rolled out CT lanes early; others hit delays tied to equipment delivery, installation timelines, training, and calibration. There were also periods where policy and implementation got out of sync—creating confusion for travelers when one airport relaxed rules and another re-imposed them.
Heathrow’s announcement matters because LHR is a true global megahub. When the biggest, most complex airport in the region makes a clean, all-terminals change, it’s a signal that the technology and operating model are now mature enough to support scale.
The question everyone asks: could the U.S. drop 3-1-1 next?
Heathrow’s move immediately raises the obvious comparison: the U.S. still enforces TSA’s 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces/100ml per container, in a quart-sized bag), and millions of travelers still strip laptops and liquids out daily at airports like New York-JFK (JFK), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Atlanta (ATL).
The short answer: the U.S. can get there, but it won’t be a single flip-the-switch moment.
Here’s why.
What would have to change for TSA to end 3-1-1 nationwide
1) Hardware at scale (not just pilot lanes)
CT scanners exist in the U.S. system, but the key is coverage. Ending 3-1-1 across the country would require broad deployment across the checkpoint footprint—not just a few upgraded lanes at flagship hubs.
2) Standardized performance and procedures
A national rule change is only as good as its weakest checkpoint. TSA needs consistency in alarm resolution, secondary screening rates, and officer workflows—otherwise “keep liquids packed” becomes a promise that varies by airport, terminal, and even time of day.
3) Duty-cycle realities: calibration, false alarms, and staffing
CT can reduce passenger divestment, but it can also increase bag checks if the system is tuned conservatively or if officers see higher alarm volumes. Airports that don’t resource secondary screening properly can end up trading one bottleneck for another.
4) Risk tolerance and policy timing
Even with strong technology, policy changes come with institutional caution—especially for rules born out of mid-2000s liquid-explosives threats. A U.S. change would likely arrive in phases, potentially starting with specific airports, lanes, or trusted-traveler cohorts before broad adoption.
A clue in the direction of travel: TSA already ended “shoes off”
There is, however, a meaningful indicator that TSA is willing to retire legacy policies when the threat environment and screening capability support it. In July 2025, TSA ended the long-running requirement for most passengers to remove shoes at checkpoints. That move doesn’t guarantee liquids reform is imminent—but it does show the agency is prepared to unwind security rituals that have outlived their operational value.
Practical advice for travelers connecting via LHR (especially U.S.-bound)
If you’re routing through Heathrow (LHR), the new reality is great—until you hit an airport that hasn’t changed.
A few operationally smart habits:
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If you’re departing LHR, you can carry larger liquids through security there.
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If you’re returning to the U.S. or connecting onward via airports that still enforce 100ml/3-1-1, pack as if the stricter rule applies, unless you’re certain your next checkpoint follows LHR-style screening.
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Duty-free liquids can still be subject to different rules depending on seals, receipts, and transfer procedures—especially on complex international itineraries.
Bottom Line
Heathrow (LHR) removing the 100ml rule is more than a convenience upgrade—it’s a signal that CT security screening has matured enough to support full-megahub scale. Passengers get fewer steps, shorter prep time, and far less tray chaos, while the airport gains a more predictable security operation during peak banks.
Could the U.S. be next? The direction is clear, and TSA has already shown it will retire legacy requirements when it’s confident in the screening stack. But a full end to 3-1-1 will depend on broad CT deployment, consistent checkpoint performance, and a phased policy rollout that works not just at flagship hubs—but everywhere.