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Original poster

How strict are airports on size of plastic bags?

55 replies

ChimChimeny · 03/08/2023 10:31

We’re flying soon with hang luggage only so will have loads of minis in plastic bags, we’ve got some zip loc bags which are 20x30cm, guidance is ‘approx 20cm x 20cm’
would we get away with the bigger bags?!

OP posts:
AngelsWithSilverWings · 04/08/2023 08:23

Agree about Stansted. They were very particular about it. I had not very much in my clear bag but DD15 takes a ridiculous amount of toiletries and make up so her's was very full. They made us redistribute the contents equally between us.

G5000 · 04/08/2023 20:50

Never been told it’s one bag per person, I usually have at least 3 to myself!

What do you think this restriction would achieve then, if everybody could still take all liquids they wanted, as long as they bag them separately? It's always been one bag per person

IglesiasPiggl · 04/08/2023 20:58

Spinet · 03/08/2023 15:22

I flew from London City to Nice the other week and London City basically don't give a shit because their security equipment is so futuristic, but at Nice airport I ended up chucking a load of stuff out to fit in their stupid little bags. So check each airport basically.

London City is amazing, love it! You don't have to take anything out of your bag, either toiletries or tech. If only bigger airports could also get this.

IglesiasPiggl · 04/08/2023 21:00

G5000 · 04/08/2023 20:50

Never been told it’s one bag per person, I usually have at least 3 to myself!

What do you think this restriction would achieve then, if everybody could still take all liquids they wanted, as long as they bag them separately? It's always been one bag per person

You say that but I have been through Gatwick loads of times with more than one bag, so it's perfectly possible people might not be aware if they don't use the strict airports.

BarelyLiterate · 04/08/2023 21:03

Depends on the airport. The limit on the quantity of liquids etc is 1 litre, which is strictly enforced, so if you’re over that you will have to bin stuff. Most airports give away bags of the correct size before security anyway, so why not use those & only take the quantity of stuff which will fit in it.
People who either don’t understand or ignore security rules are a nuisance because they create delays for everyone else.

LonelyFlans · 04/08/2023 21:06

Anyone know what Glasgow are like with this? I have a transparent bag that's almost the right size and don't want to mess around at security changing bags if I can help it.

LittleOwl153 · 04/08/2023 21:08

I've done a click and collect order for boots or the duty free shop air-side at the airport for suncream... not much more expensive and a heck of a lot less hassle!

And yes East Mids are strict on the little bag too.

LadyDaffodil · 04/08/2023 21:10

Only one bag per person and has to be sealed, and airport bags only, not supermarket ziplock bags. We had to ditch loads last time. Might not be every airport tho

G5000 · 04/08/2023 21:14

does not have to be specific airport one according to the rules, but I guess some airports are fed up with people trying to sneak bigger bags in (did you know IKEA has a 1.2 litre one?)

LittleFriendSusan · 04/08/2023 21:21

I'd used the same IKEA 1.2l bags for 3 flights with no issues (from Luton & East Midlands) but flew from Stansted last time & they wouldn't accept them. Their bags seemed tiny (and flimsy) so I ended up having to bin stuff and rebuy once through security. I think next time I'll collect from Boots!

NancyJoan · 04/08/2023 21:24

The bags at Bristol are TINY!

TheWayoftheLeaf · 04/08/2023 22:48

Very. The 20x20 is to keep you to 10 x 100ml. Unless you're at London City the limit is 1L total.

Don't risk it. My pal for some thick reason thought if she put two bags in different trays it would be fine. She had £200 of makeup seized. I did warn her.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 04/08/2023 22:50

If they aren't full you will be fine. They only really care about the total volume of liquid.

I have flown more than once with a significantly larger ziplock bag but it only had about 4 little bottles in it.

They will care if you have too much liquid.

TheWayoftheLeaf · 04/08/2023 22:50

Spinet · 03/08/2023 15:22

I flew from London City to Nice the other week and London City basically don't give a shit because their security equipment is so futuristic, but at Nice airport I ended up chucking a load of stuff out to fit in their stupid little bags. So check each airport basically.

Yes City have moved to the new system which will be in place across the UK by 2024. 2L and no removal from bags.

The rest will follow but aren't there yet.

TheWayoftheLeaf · 04/08/2023 22:52

SilkenPilken · 03/08/2023 20:54

My question is why does nowhere sell suncream in 100ml bottles? That would be the right size size for hand luggage and take up less room than two smaller tubes. The best I found was 75ml in Boots.

Because what's the point? 100ml is enough to last one person about 2 days. You'll need more anyway.

2 fingers for face every 3 hours. 2 fingers for neck, forearm, 3 per upper arm, lower leg and upper leg.

TheWayoftheLeaf · 04/08/2023 22:52

BHRK · 03/08/2023 21:04

Never been told it’s one bag per person, I usually have at least 3 to myself!

Was the last time you flew 1990? Surprised you haven't been caught. One litre per person.

Jakadaal · 04/08/2023 23:00

Very strict recently at Newcastle and Edinburgh. They seemed more interested in the actual size of the bag and whether it closed rather than the contents. However there was a variance in what each airport considered a liquid. Newcastle very flexible around cream based make up (Trinny London products) whereas Edinburgh classified them as liquids. Definitely only 1 bag per person and it must close.

As others have said you can buy products air side or pre order and collect at Boots

Aplume · 04/08/2023 23:02

Gatwick seems to be rolling out the new technology too. The scanner I put my stuff through recently did an extra little bump, recognised that my lipstick etc was just lipstick etc and off we went. So much less hassle.

Jakadaal · 04/08/2023 23:02

Re sun creams I use ultasun 50 and bought 100ml bottles -John Lewis and vinted

WeAreOnTheRoadToNowhere · 04/08/2023 23:02

I had 3 clear bags at Manchester in June and nobody said anything. They just went in the tray next to my hangbag

xyz111 · 05/08/2023 00:06

Gatwick made us use their small bags so had to chuck some things away as wouldn't fit 🤦🏻‍♀️

DanceMumTaxi · 05/08/2023 13:45

Manchester are super strict on everything. In the past I’ve done a click and collect at Boots airside. I just leave behind whatever is left. It can work out cheaper than loads of minis.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 05/08/2023 13:57

I don't bother these days. Boots at Birmingham do click and collect so that's what I do, and don't bother with travel sizes either.

QueenOfWeeds · 05/08/2023 14:16

I find the press seal sandwich bags are slightly smaller than the airport ones, so you can fill at home and if they are fussy about you using the exact type of bag, you can just drop the whole thing into their bag.

Amazed at all these people flying with multiple bags though! Never even occurred to me to try.

Sisterpita · 05/08/2023 18:18

@ChimChimeny have you thought about pre-ordering larger sunscreen etc. to collect from Boots once you are through security?

I am a solo traveller and if I had to do hand luggage only that is what I would do.