People putting items in security tray

Security

People putting items in security tray

Security

Advice on packing hand luggage and going through Security

Security at Manchester Airport

LAST UPDATED APRIL 2026

The safety and security of our customers and staff is our top priority at Manchester Airport. We're here to make your journey through security simple.

Discover everything you need to know for a quick and easy experience. This includes what to pack in your carry-on bag (the one you bring onto the plane) and your checked luggage (the suitcase or bag you hand over), so you can fully enjoy your trip.
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You can pack liquids, gels, and aerosols under 100ml each in your hand luggage. Liquids under 100ml no longer need to be in a plastic bag and can be left in your hand luggage. Because of this limited liquid allowance on flights, we recommend packing liquids in your hold luggage if possible.

Please note: Liquids, aerosols, and gels over 100ml each are not permitted through Security.
Bottle of water

Drinks

Water, other drinks

Different coloured jams in jars

Food items

Jam, soup, etc

Eyeshadow palette with other make up on table

Cosmetics

Make-up, moisturiser

Nivea body milk

Toiletries

Toothpaste, shower gel, suncream, shaving foam

Coco Chanel perfume bottle

Fragrances

Perfume, aftershave, aerosols (deodorant)

Lipbalm and inhaler on sheet

Medical

Inhaler, contact lens solution

Prohibited items

It's an offence to carry certain items into an aircraft cabin as they could be dangerous. These items will be confiscated at Security, including toy or replica guns (plastic or metal). See the full list of prohibited items below.

For a full list, please check with your airline or check the following websites:

UK Government: Luggage restrictions at UK Airports
UK CAA: What items can I travel with and which are restricted
Medical and special requirements

Body scanners

You'll need to go through a body scan at Security to ensure no dangerous items are taken onto the plane. The scans take just a few seconds while you remain fully clothed. The scanners are designed with passenger comfort in mind - they're completely safe and do not use x-rays.

Hand luggage sizes

Each airline has its own policy on hand luggage allowances, including size and weight restrictions. We strongly recommend you check this information directly with your airline before you travel.

Access guides

To find out more about accessibility at Manchester Airport, please visit our Accessable guides.

Liquids

Hand luggage

You can pack liquids in your hand luggage, as long as each liquid is under 100ml. These can be left in your hand luggage during the Security search. Because of this liquid limit, we recommend packing them in your hold luggage where possible.
Please note: Liquids in containers larger than 100ml cannot go through Security even if the container is only part full. There are some exemptions.

If you wish to bring your own containers to hold 100ml or less, the container must have printed on it the measurement that the container can hold. Travel sets of containers that do not have measurements on them will not be allowed through security. Handwritten measurements or stickers are also not acceptable.

Find more information on bringing liquids in your hand luggage.


What is a liquid?
  • All drinks, including water
  • Liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as soup, jam, honey, and syrups
  • Pastes, including toothpaste
  • Creams, lotions, oils, moisturiser
  • Perfumes and aftershaves
  • Make-up, including mascara and lip gloss
  • Sprays, including sun lotion
  • Inhalers
  • Gels, including hair gels and shower gels
  • Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams, and deodorants
  • Liquid-solid mixtures (such as frozen food)
  • Any other item of a similar consistency


Exemptions

You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security at all UK airports if they:
  • Are for essential medical purposes (these must be accompanied with a medical note or prescription)
  • Are for special dietary requirements
  • Contain baby food or baby milk


Liquid medication

While the normal rule is that liquids must be under 100ml in your hand luggage, this is different for essential medicine, and you can take prescription medication in containers over 100ml through Security (including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers). However, you may only carry through security the quantity of liquid medication that is required for your journey. 
 

Proof of prescription

If your medication is in liquid form and in a container larger than 100ml, you’ll need to carry proof that the medication is prescribed to you (for example a letter from your doctor, or a copy of your prescription or the medicine prescription label). 
You do not need to show proof if the medication is either: 
  • In tablet form 
  • Liquid in a container that’s 100ml or smaller 

Please note: There are different rules if you’re travelling with medicine that contains a controlled drug. Find out further information before you travel. 

World Duty Free

You can take liquids bought at World Duty Free onto your plane (such as World Duty Free perfume), or through Security that have been purchased at another Airport provided that: 
  • The items are sealed inside a transparent bag at the point of purchase 
  • The receipt for the items is sealed in the transparent bag and visible, showing it was purchased within 24 hours 
  • The bag must not be opened until you reach your final destination 

Hand luggage

Electrical items can be left in your hand luggage for the Security search - you can find a list of examples at the top of the page. Any items in your pockets should be removed and placed inside your hand luggage.

Hold luggage

There are certain electrical items that aren’t permitted in your hold luggage – please see this full list.

Cameras

You can usually take camera equipment in your hand and hold luggage. However, there may be restrictions on specialist equipment (e.g. professional video cameras).

Batteries

There are some restrictions on certain types of batteries - the CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority) has more information, or you can contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry.

Gas-powered curling tong

If your hair curlers contain a gas cartridge, you can still pack these in your hand luggage or hold luggage, so long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. Gas cartridges are liquid under pressure and can be dangerous, so you must check the size with your airline before taking on board the aircraft (this applies to both your hand luggage and hold luggage).

Security rules for hand and hold luggage

There are different rules for what you can pack in your hold luggage (the suitcase or bag that you check in) and what to pack in your hand luggage (the bag you carry onto the plane).

Visit the luggage page for more information.

Musical instruments

You can travel with musical instruments, but if it’s large then it’s best to contact your airline to see if it requires you to make any special arrangements (e.g. buying an extra seat). Musical instruments will be screened separately at Security.

Hand luggage

Hold luggage

Corkscrew

Spoon

Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm)

Yes (check with your airline)

Small scissors (with blades no longer than 6cm), round-ended/blunt scissors

Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm)

Hand luggage and hold luggage

Medical equipment is permitted through Security, but it will need to be screened separately from your hand luggage. Find out more information and see the full list.

The following medicine and medical items are allowed in both your hand luggage and your hold luggage:
  • Tablets and capsules
  • Essential liquid medicines
  • Hypodermic syringes
  • Inhalers
  • Cooling gel packs (for baby food, or if for essential medication you must also have a doctor’s letter confirming that it needs to be kept cold)
  • Medical equipment (for example CPAP and TENS machines)
  • Special food and liquids needed for medical reasons or for babies

Mobility aids

Walking aids, wheelchairs, and battery-powered wheelchairs/mobility aids are usually allowed in the cabin (i.e. you can bring these items onto the plane with you), but we recommend contacting your airline in advance to see if they require you to make any special arrangements. This includes hiking poles if they’re used as a walking aid (if not, they must be placed in your hold luggage). All mobility aids will be screened separately at Security.

Oxygen cylinders

If you need to travel with oxygen cylinders, please contact your airline for more information.

Travelling with pushchairs

If you’re travelling with a pram / buggy / pushchair, there are different rules and processes, depending on your airline.

You might be asked to check it in with your hold luggage or at the departure gate, or you might be allowed to take it through Security and keep it right up until the time when you board the plane.

Because of the different rules, we strongly recommend you contact your airline in advance, so you know exactly what to do on the day.

Please note: If you’re allowed to keep it until you board the plane, speak to a member of staff at Security and they’ll direct you to which queue to join – you might be able to go through an ‘assisted’ lane if it’s not too busy.

Baby food and baby milk

Hand luggage

In the context of packing food and milk for a baby, a baby must be under 36 months old. When travelling with a baby, you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it’s more than 100ml – for the whole trip.

Breast milk

You can carry breast milk in your hand luggage, even if you’re not travelling with a baby - however, frozen breast milk is not allowed.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at Security, and staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids.

Hand luggage

Hold luggage

Breast milk

Yes (in containers up to 2000ml)

Frozen breast milk

Formula milk, cow's milk

Yes (baby must be present)

Sterilised water for babies

Yes (baby must be present)

Soya milk for babies

Yes (baby must be present)

Can I take food through Security?

We often get asked whether you can take food through airport security. 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 make your journey easier.

What happens at Security?

In addition to having your hand luggage scanned, you may be required to have a body scan at Security to ensure no prohibited items are taken onto the plane.

You'll be asked to enter a body scanner. This takes just a few seconds while you remain fully clothed. The scanners are designed with passenger comfort in mind - they're completely safe and do not use x-rays.

You can opt out of a body scan, but you'll need to be screened by an alternative method, such as a hand search. A security staff member will physically check that you're not carrying prohibited items in your clothing. All hand searches are conducted in a private room away from the main security area. While you remain dressed, you may be asked to remove or loosen items of clothing.

Hand luggage

The safety and security of our passengers and staff is our absolute priority. The following items are strictly prohibited from being carried onto the plane in your hand luggage, and will be confiscated at Security. Please see the CAA and GOV.UK websites for an exhaustive list of prohibited items

  • Acid
  • Bows/crossbows and arrows
  • Work tools, including those with a blade or shaft of more than 6cm
  • Catapults and slingshots
  • Darts
  • Explosives
  • Gas cartridges, or gas cartridge re-fills
  • Hammers, nails, and screwdrivers
  • Hypodermic syringes (unless supported by medical evidence)
  • Knives with blades more than 6cm
  • Lighter fuel
  • Lighter top-up fuel (passengers are allowed to carry one disposable lighter in a clear re-sealable plastic bag)
  • Mercury
  • Paint*
  • Razor blades
  • Scissors - specifically, blades measuring greater than 6cm in length
  • Sporting bats
  • Guns, including toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
  • Umbrellas - unless foldable

*Artists' acrylic, oil or watercolour paint is permitted, if the individual container contains no more than 100ml.

Hand and hold luggage

Ammunition

You cannot take any guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) as hand luggage. You may be able to take them as hold luggage - check with your airline before you travel. You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or hold luggage.

  • Fuels
  • Party poppers
  • Camping gases
  • Soda crystals
  • Blasting caps
  • Detonators and fuses
  • Imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)
  • Mines, grenades, and other explosive military stores
  • Fireworks and pyrotechnics
  • Smoke canisters
  • Smoke cartridges
  • Dynamite
  • Gunpowder
  • Plastic explosives (including black powder and percussion caps)
  • Flares
  • Hand grenades
  • Gun cigarette lighters

Chemicals and toxic substances

You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or hold luggage

  • Oxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kits
  • Acids and alkalis (for example spillable ‘wet’ batteries)
  • Corrosives or bleaching agents (including mercury and chlorine)
  • Vehicle batteries and fuel systems
  • Self-defence or disabling sprays (for example mace, pepper spray)
  • Radioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
  • Poisons or toxic substances (for example rat poison)
  • Biological hazards (for example infected blood, bacteria, viruses)
  • Materials that could spontaneously combust (burst into flames)
  • Fire extinguishers

Who sets the rules and regulations?

The CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority) sets most of the rules and regulations about what you can take through Security in your hand luggage. However, some rules and regulations are set by the airline individual airline.

Useful links

Civil Aviation Authority
GOV.UK

Airlines

Discover a full list of flight operators that serve Manchester Airport.

Please see the CAA and GOV.UK websites for an exhaustive list of prohibited items.
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