Security FAQs

Any liquid, gel, cream, paste, spray or aerosol are restricted items. This includes drinks, water, toiletries, perfumes, cosmetics as well as food items that contain high volumes of liquids, such as soups or yoghurts. It also applies to spreads, jams and preserves. See our security advice for more information about liquids.

There is no specific limit on how many containers you can carry through. Due to new security technology, the 100ml limit on liquid containers has been lifted. You can now bring liquids in containers of up to two litres in your hand luggage when travelling through London Gatwick, There is no need to put these in a clear plastic bag or remove them from your hand luggage.

Due to new security technology, the 100ml limit on liquid containers has been lifted. You can now bring liquids in containers of up to two litres in your hand luggage when travelling through London Gatwick, There is no need to put these in a clear plastic bag or remove them from your hand luggage.

If you’re travelling with children you can do the following:

• carry milk powder in your hand luggage (there are no limits for powder formula).
• carry ready-to-drink cartons of formula and self-prepared milk or sterilised water in your hand luggage.
• carry baby food in your hand luggage.
• take an additional item of hand luggage (even when travelling with a child who has no seat assigned to them).
• take buggies to the gate (although you will need to take your child out while it’s being x-rayed).
• take baby car seats through security for use on the plane.

We always recommend to check baggage restrictions with your airline to be sure.

There is no limit on the amount of medicines you can take for your trip. You may be asked to provide proof such as a doctor's letter or prescription, and your medicine may be subject to additional security screening. See our security advice for more information about medicines.

New technology means that you can now bring liquids through security in containers of up to two litres. Please note that many airports around the world have not introduced this technology yet, so it's important that you check other airport websites that you may be travelling through as part of your onward journey.

Yes, you can take knitting needles or crochet hooks with you both in your hand baggage and hold luggage.

Find out more about items you can and can’t take through security.

If you have a pace maker or any other medical device that may be affected by walking through an archway metal detector, please advise our security officers prior to going through security. Make sure you have your medical card to state that you are wearing a sensitive medical device.

If you have a hip/joint replacement or any metal implants in your body, they are likely to set off the metal detector. If this happens, you will need to be searched by one of our security guards. There is no need to bring any proof of metal implants with you but letting our security guards know may be helpful.

By removing shoes, metallic jewellery, belts or any other removable items you greatly reduce the chance of activating our walk through metal detectors, therefore speeding up your journey through security. We advise that any high value items you remove are placed into your hand baggage to keep them safe and secure.

Yes, anyone can request a private search for either themselves or for their hand baggage if you have a valid reason, for example a condition that you may wish to be dealt with privately or if you’re carrying items that you do not wish to be searched in a public area. Just ask a member of staff and we will arrange this for you.

Any searches carried out in private are witnessed by an additional security officer and you are welcome to have a travelling companion be there with you too.

You have the right to refuse to go through our security scanners, however your reasoning will be questioned by a member of staff for security reasons. The alternative can be a body search carried out in a private search area. Find out more about our security scanners and how they work.

Once through security, there is no way to exit before getting on your flight. Please note, there is no facility to smoke once through security.

If you need special assistance at the airport, please make sure you've booked it in advance through your airline. Once booked you will be met on your arrival by our dedicated team and assisted through the airport. More information for passengers with reduced mobility.

We’ve created special assistance and family lanes in security for departing families. Simply follow the signs for the assistance and family lanes after you've checked in.

No, passengers do not need to remove liquids from their bags now that next generation security lanes have been successfully rolled out across London Gatwick.

Additionally, passengers can now bring liquids through security in containers of up to two litres.

Please note that many airports around the world have not introduced this technology yet, so you are likely to still need to use plastic bags when returning from your destination.

Yes. You can carry any bottle up to two litres through security at London Gatwick. Please note that if you are carrying a metallic or double walled bottle (including vacuum flasks and thermos flasks), please ensure the bottle is empty prior to the security checkpoint. You can then top up your bottle for free after security.