Airports And Clear Plastic Bags: What's The Deal?

When travelling with hand luggage, it's important to be aware of the restrictions on what you can and can't carry. Rules vary depending on the country and airport, so it's always best to check before travelling. Liquids are a common source of confusion for travellers, and many airports require liquids to be stored in clear plastic bags. This enables security staff to easily see what liquids you have without rummaging through your cabin bag. Most airports provide these bags, but some charge a small fee. You can also bring your own as long as it's made of clear plastic and measures no more than 20cm x 20cm.

Clear plastic bags are for liquids

Clear plastic bags are used for carrying liquids in hand luggage when passing through airport security. The bags must be resealable and able to close, and each passenger is only allowed one bag. The bag must be presented separately from your hand luggage for examination at the airport security point.

The purpose of the clear plastic bag is to enable security staff to easily see what liquids you have without having to search through your cabin bag. The bag must be no larger than 20cm x 20cm and must hold no more than 1 litre. Liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, and the containers must fit comfortably inside the bag.

While some sources state that the bag must be made of plastic, others suggest that it can be made of any material, as long as it is resealable and the correct size. It is worth noting that most airports will provide you with a bag before security if you do not have your own, although some airports charge for these bags.

It is important to check the rules for liquids before travelling, as there may be different rules depending on the country or airport.

Bag size: 20cm x 20cm

Clear plastic bags for airport security are typically required to be 20cm x 20cm in size. These bags are used to hold liquid containers, which must be no larger than 100ml each and must fit comfortably inside the bag. The bag must be transparent, resealable, and hold no more than one litre. It is important to note that only one such bag is permitted per person, and it must be presented separately from other carry-on items at the airport security point.

These bags are readily available for purchase online and at various retailers. Some airports also provide them for free at security checkpoints, although these tend to be flimsier. It is recommended to bring your own bag to avoid single-use plastic waste and the risk of splitting.

While the rules regarding liquid containers are strict, there are exemptions for medical liquids and baby food/milk. Medical liquids must be accompanied by a prescription, and only a reasonable amount of baby food/milk is permitted.

Bag volume: 1 litre

When travelling with hand luggage, it is important to follow the rules regarding the volume of liquids, creams, and gels you can carry. Most airports will provide you with a clear plastic bag to store these items in before you go through security, but you can also bring your own. These bags must be made of clear plastic and measure no more than 20cm by 20cm. The bag must be resealable and hold no more than 1 litre of liquid. This amounts to around 10 items per bag, but there is no limit to the number of items you can put in the bag as long as the total volume is under 1 litre.

It is important to note that the containers holding your liquids must be 100ml or less. This means that the container itself must be 100ml, and you cannot, for example, put 100ml of liquid into a larger container. If you are travelling with medication, it is generally exempt from the 100ml rule, but it is always good to check with your airline before travelling. Medication should be carried in a separate plastic bag and be clearly labelled.

Some airports enforce the "clear" rule very rigidly, so it is important to make sure your bag is completely clear and does not have any writing or opaque areas that obstruct the view into the bag. Remember that the bag must be closed and sealed—you cannot simply tie the top in a knot.

Bag type: resealable

When passing through airport security, it is important to have your liquids in a clear plastic bag. Most airports will allow you to bring your own bag, and the only rules are that it must be made of clear plastic and measure no more than 20cm x 20cm. If you don't bring your own, the airport will provide you with one before security, although some airports charge a small fee for this.

The bag must be resealable and able to be closed securely. It must not be knotted or tied at the top. The bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point, and you must keep it on you throughout the flight. It should not be placed in your hold luggage or hand luggage after screening.

The resealable bag must be able to hold up to one litre of liquid comfortably so that it can be sealed. Each passenger is limited to one of these bags.

Any liquid containers must be 100ml or less. This includes drinks, liquid foods, cosmetics, toiletries, sprays, pastes, gels, contact lens solution, and other items of a similar consistency.

You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security if they are for essential medical purposes, special dietary requirements, or baby food/milk. You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane through security if they are sealed inside a security bag with the receipt sealed inside and visible.

Bag availability: provided by airports

Most airports will allow you to bring your own clear plastic bag for liquids ahead of time if you wish, as long as it is made of clear plastic and measures no more than 20cm x 20cm. If you don't have your own bag, the airport will provide you with one before security. However, some airports, such as Bristol, charge for these bags. Typically, these bags are quite small, and you are limited to carrying only one per person. The bag must be closed and sealed, and it cannot be knotted or tied at the top.

Some airports provide free bags that have writing on them. However, some countries enforce the "clear" language (bags must be clear) very rigidly, while others do not. As long as the writing is very minimal and does not obstruct the view into the bag, you should be fine.

In the UK, some airports charge for these bags, while others do not. For example, London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Bristol airports have been known to charge for bags, while London City, London Stansted, Manchester, and East Midlands airports provide them for free.

Frequently asked questions