Clear Bags At Stansted: What You Need To Know

London Stansted Airport, like all airports in the UK, has strict rules and guidelines regarding what airline passengers can and cannot take in their hand luggage. Travellers are allowed to pack liquids in their hand luggage, but there are limits to how much liquid can be taken on a plane. Containers must be in a single, clear, resealable plastic bag, which can be purchased at the airport for £1.

Stansted provides clear bags for £1

London Stansted Airport advises travellers to prepare their liquid bags before arriving at the airport. This helps to speed up the security process. The liquid bag should be no larger than 20cm x 20cm and should not exceed one litre. The bag must be sealable and clear.

If you forget to bring your own liquid bag, you can purchase one at the airport. Stansted Airport provides clear bags for £1. These bags are available at the tables where you scan your boarding pass before entering security. There is a limit of one liquid bag per customer.

It is important to note that the liquid bag should not be so full that it cannot be sealed. Containers larger than 100ml cannot go through security, even if they are only partially full. Exemptions are made for essential medical purposes with a valid prescription or medical note. Liquids purchased at the airport or on the plane, such as duty-free perfume, are also allowed if sealed in a security bag with the receipt inside.

In addition to liquid restrictions, there are other items to consider when preparing your hand luggage. Food and powders can obstruct x-ray machines, so it is recommended to place these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays. Lighter fuel and other flammable items are also prohibited and must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag if carried on board.

Clear bags are needed for liquids

The use of clear bags for liquids is a standard security measure at airports, including Stansted. It allows for easy visibility and inspection of the liquids being carried by passengers. This measure was implemented following a plot to blow up a plane using liquid explosives hidden in hand luggage. By having liquids in a clear and separate bag, security staff can quickly check that the liquids comply with the size and quantity restrictions.

Passengers are advised to prepare their liquid bags before arriving at the airport, as this can help speed up the security process. If passengers forget to bring their own clear bags, they can obtain one at the airport free of charge, although the supply is limited to one per customer. Suitable clear bags include makeup bags, freezer bags, or any other type of clear, resealable plastic bag.

It is important to note that lipsticks, lip balms, and stick deodorants are not classified as liquids, so they do not need to be placed in the clear plastic bag. Additionally, there are exemptions for liquids over 100ml that are for essential medical purposes, as long as they are accompanied by a medical note or prescription. Liquids purchased at the airport or on the plane, such as duty-free perfume, are also allowed through security as long as they remain sealed inside a security bag with the receipt visible.

By following these clear bag guidelines for liquids, passengers can ensure a smoother and faster security process at Stansted Airport, contributing to an overall more pleasant travel experience.

Liquids must be under 100ml

London Stansted Airport does not provide clear bags for liquids to passengers. However, if you forget to bring your own, you can pick up a clear plastic bag at the airport. Only one bag per customer is allowed.

To save time at security, it is best to prepare your liquid bag before arriving at the airport. The bag should be a clear, resealable plastic bag, such as a makeup bag or freezer bag, with a maximum volume of one litre. The bag should measure approximately 20cm x 20cm, and the contents must fit comfortably so that the bag can be sealed. Liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less and must fit inside the plastic bag.

Lipsticks, lip balms, and stick deodorants are not classed as liquids, so you don't need to put these in your clear plastic bag. If you are carrying liquid medication, you can take prescription medication in containers over 100ml through security, but you will need to carry proof that the medication is prescribed to you.

If you are travelling with a baby, you are allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it is more than 100ml. You can also carry breast milk in your hand luggage, even if you are not travelling with a baby, but frozen breast milk is not allowed.

Food and powders should be in hold luggage

London Stansted Airport does not provide clear bags to passengers. However, if you forget to bring your own, you can pick up a clear plastic bag at the airport. There is a limit of one per customer, and preparing your liquid bag in advance will help speed up the queue.

Food and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on X-ray machines. This means your bags may need to be checked manually by security, causing delays. To minimise delays, it is recommended that you put these items in your hold luggage. Powders are only restricted when travelling to or from the US, where passengers are forbidden from transporting powdered substances of 350ml (12oz) or more in their hand luggage. In checked baggage, powdered substances of any amount are permitted.

Powdered substances include flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, powdered milk or baby formula, and cosmetics. Exemptions include substances subject to medical prescription, baby food, human remains, and duty-free products transported in the corresponding sealed Secure Tamper Evident Bag (STEB).

If you are travelling with medicines, they must be carried separately from hand luggage and checked baggage for rapid identification and must comply with regulations on dangerous goods. Medicines can be transported in hand luggage, but they should be placed in a transparent bag and presented separately at security.

When packing your hand luggage, remember that any electrical item larger than 20cm x 20cm (the size of an A5 piece of paper) should be removed from your bag and placed in a tray to be screened separately.

Lighters must be in a clear bag

London Stansted Airport provides clear, resealable plastic bags for passengers who need them. However, it is recommended that you bring your own clear bag for liquids to speed up the security process.

Lighters are prohibited in checked luggage at London Stansted Airport. However, passengers are allowed to carry one disposable lighter in their hand luggage, but it must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. This is in line with government regulations, which state that lighters are not permitted in any checked luggage.

If you are travelling with lighter top-up fuel, this must also be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag. The clear bag must not exceed 20cm x 20cm and should not contain more than one litre of liquid. This means that the contents of the bag must fit comfortably and be able to seal closed.

It is important to note that lighters are not the only restricted item at London Stansted Airport. Other prohibited items include flammable liquids, matches, and bleach. It is always best to check with the airport and your airline before travelling to ensure you are complying with all security measures.

Frequently asked questions