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Original poster

Are you allowed milk in hand luggage and on planes at UK airports?

26 replies

Candy8687 · 15/09/2023 09:57

Hi we are flying with TUI as part of a package holiday and ideally I want to bring normal cows milk in my hand luggage for our 2 year old as it helps him to relax and (hopefully) will allow him to sleep on the plane. Its his first flight.

Can anyone tell me if I am allowed to carry milk in our hand luggage? I'm thinking long life cows milk carton unopened.

TIA

OP posts:

ReeseWitherfork · 15/09/2023 10:00

Not as far as I know but you should be able to buy some in the airport.

SoupDragon · 15/09/2023 10:02

I think you'd have to buy it airside too.

Topseyt123 · 15/09/2023 10:02

Any fluids that you take must be within the 100ml limit and I believe in a clear plastic bag or they will be taken out of your bags by security.

If it was baby formula then I think you can, but used to be asked to try it yourself. If I am remembering correctly. Not sure if the same volume limits applied there, but suspect they did.

Does Tui not list what you can and can't carry on their website? It could be worth calling them.

0lga · 15/09/2023 10:06

Here are the rules for a baby

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk#:~:text=Ammunition-,Baby%20food%20and%20baby%20milk,your%20airport%20before%20you%20travel.

However as your child is 2 and not a baby it would be easier just to buy cows milk airside than try to argue your case in security.

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports - carry-on luggage, checked-in baggage, restricted items and liquids, electronic devices carried from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk#:~:text=Ammunition-,Baby%20food%20and%20baby%20milk,your%20airport%20before%20you%20travel.

0lga · 15/09/2023 10:08

Personally I’d be taking a tablet and earphones with me. You need to practice with the earphones at home first so your child is used to then. Don’t even THINK of letting him use the tablet without earphones.

meemawww · 15/09/2023 10:09

Buy some from a coffee shop or restaurant while airside 😀

Covidwoes · 15/09/2023 10:11

I bought milk after security for my 2 year old when we went on holiday last month. Worked perfectly! If you can't find any to buy, or the size is too big, cafes can provide it.

yogasaurus · 15/09/2023 10:19

I’ve taken cartons of Aptamil for 2yo before - they were on regular milk but took the cartons for travelling.

No one batted an eyelid - you just have to have them in a separate bag at security so they can run them through the machine. The 100ml limits do not apply

BertieBotts · 15/09/2023 10:25

Check the airport security policy. Usually for babies you can take any quantity of liquid - they even let me bring my coke last time I was travelling with my 1yo! Obviously it wasn't for him but they didn't seem to care.

greenacrylicpaint · 15/09/2023 10:27

you need to buy the milk airside.

you are not allowed to import dairy into thr eu (and many other regions) however you are allowed to bring a small quanity for consumption during the journey.

Original poster

Candy8687 · 15/09/2023 13:07

Thanks everyone
I will be bringing tablet and earphones etc to entertain him but it’s a 6 hr flight so there’s only so much screen time he’s gonna want before he gets bored.

I saw the gov.uk link about milk but wanted to make sure that this was actually how it worked in real life at the airport

its nothing to do with the airline what is on your hand luggage. TUI were no help. It’s up to airport security what they allow in.

I will bring carton milk and if it’s taken away try to buy some airside. My concern was that none of the shops would have a pint of milk to buy! A coffee shop would only fill up one baby bottle if they’re being nice.

OP posts:

cherryassam · 15/09/2023 13:11

Which airport is it?

I’ve occasionally seen pints of milk as options in meal deals. If not, a cafe will sell you milk I’m sure.

ReeseWitherfork · 15/09/2023 13:12

If there’s a WHSmiths at the airport, give them a call.

SoSad44 · 15/09/2023 13:14

I have flown plenty with kids and never had an issue with milk, water or purées for kids. You should be fine.

TakeMe2Insanity · 15/09/2023 13:18

When dc was a toddler we’d take an empty flask through security and buy milk from prets etc. We also did this in various countries coming back.

Original poster

Candy8687 · 15/09/2023 16:25

gatwick so there is an M&S food and a WH Smith so hopefully they might sell milk. thanks everyone

OP posts:

amiboverd · 15/09/2023 16:37

we recently travelled to the US with our 2 year old. I had a drinks cup (over 100ml) filled with water and no one stopped me from taking it through security.

I was prepared to empty it if necessary as I could just fill it again and get water in the airport or on the plane but it was fine.

Saying that for the amount of milk you'd need can you just buy it in the airprot
or the plane?

I got a cup of milk on the plane as well.

reluctantbrit · 15/09/2023 20:42

I would take a Chilly type bottle and just get a pret/Starbucks to fill it up. It stays cold and you just take a normal cup for him as well. You just have to make sure you really clean it afterwards.

I have seen cold milk sold at Boots but not in every airport.

Coffeaddict · 15/09/2023 20:45

You can bring on liquids for a young child. I bought a full litre bottle of gluten free Oat milk on our last flight ( multiple allergies so not as easy to just grab)

They ask if it's for the child, tell you to put it in a separate tray and swab it.

Have been traveling regularly with my now 3 year old son since he was born ( excluding covid) and have always bought on liquid for him

Emmagr1 · 15/09/2023 20:55

I have bought milk in WH Smith's in Manchester and Leeds airports without issue. I have also taken milk in bottles though security without issue on the basis it's for a baby/toddler. If it's sealed you should be ok. If it's in the bottle they may do a dip test.

Don't worry. I know how stressful it is for a parent travelling!

Callmemummynotmaaa · 15/09/2023 23:21

OP I frequently travel with my kids (3&2) and bring them bottles or very obviously toddler sealed cups with cows milk (the sucking helps with their ears on planes). They test them and let them through security without question. You can also bring pouches etc for toddlers.

Flibbertigibbettytoes · 15/09/2023 23:26

I don't.think there is an M&S after security at either North or south at Gatwick. There is Pret, Boots and Smith's at both.

Lydbowles · 31/08/2024 16:50

I am so worried about this, I am flying with my one year old and he has an allergy so we need soy milk, I am not at all convinced we will be able to take it through but equally it would be hard to get some soy milk airside! 😰

reluctantbrit · 31/08/2024 17:18

For a two year old it often depends on the person scanning you, I had so many different people telling me different things.

I would take a 1/2l chilly bottle and pay at Pret etc to get it filled. At Heathrow you don't have a M&S after security but Boots normally has milk in their shops.

0lga · 31/08/2024 17:39

Lydbowles · 31/08/2024 16:50

Just place an online order with boots.com ( they sell alpro ) and make the collection store the boots that is airside ( NOT landside ) at your departure airport.

You couod also take some in a baby bottle as you child is under 2 ( see the link to the rules upthread ). You will probably be asked to taste it at security to prove it’s nothing bad.

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