One UK Airport With Direct Flights To MCO Hasn't Scrapped The 100ml Liquid Rule This Summer

Packing for Disney World is always a challenge, and packing hand luggage for a 9 hour flight can be tricky, especially with changing liquid rules for hand luggage here in the UK. There are 4 major UK airports offering direct flights to Orlando International Airport this summer, and only one is still imposing the 100ml liquid limitation for hand luggage: Manchester Airport.

Hand Luggage Liquid Rules For Airports With Direct MCO Summer Flights

If you are flying directly to Orlando (MCO) from the UK, here is the updated breakdown of the liquid rules for Summer 2026:

While Manchester Airport has installed state-of-the-art CT scanners across its security lanes, the UK government has not yet given the green light to increase the liquid allowance to two litres there. Manchester Airport has confirmed that the strict 100ml rule remains fully in place for Summer 2026, meaning every liquid, gel, or paste in your hand luggage must still be in a container that holds a maximum of 100ml. And remember: a 200ml bottle of suncream that is only half full will still be confiscated. It's the size of the printed container capacity that counts, not what's left inside.

Do I Still Need to Use a Clear Plastic Bag for My Liquids?

No, thanks to the new CT scanners, you can leave your 100ml liquids, as well as large electronics like laptops and iPads to entertain the kids, inside your cabin bag. This saves that juggling act at the security belt while trying to keep an eye on your little ones. When going through security this summer, here is what you can expect:

What Exactly Counts as a Liquid When Packing for Florida?

Manchester Airport has published a full list of items considered a liquid, that the 100ml rule for hand luaggage liquids applies to. This includes:

• Water and all other drinks

• Soups, syrups, and sauces

• Toothpaste

• Shower gel and shampoo

• Shaving foam and shaving gel

• Perfume and aftershave

• Aerosol deodorants and roll-on deodorants

• Hair gel, mousse, and styling cream

• Moisturiser and sun cream

• Hand sanitiser

• Mascara, liquid foundation, and other liquid make-up

• Contact lens solution

• Jam, honey, and peanut butter

• Inhaler contents

When in doubt think: if you can pour it, spray it, squeeze it, or spread it, it's a liquid. There are exemptions including baby formula, check airport rules for medication or other essential items.

If you are heading to Florida with only hand luggage or need a bigger amount, the best thing to do is buy it in Boots after security. You can even pre-order items to the airport.

Heathrow, Gatwick & Edinburgh: No Restrictions

With UK visitors able to fly direct to MCO from 3 other UK airports this summer: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), or Edinburgh (EDI), you are in luck. These airports have fully implemented the new 2026 technology, which means a higher liquid allowance in hand luggage.

You can pack liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols in containers up to 2 litres directly into your cabin bag. Full-sized suncream, aloe vera, and large bottles of Calpol are completely fine. There is also zero unpacking for laptops, iPads, and Nintendo Switch; all can stay tucked safely inside hand luggage as they go through the scanner.

Packing Hand Luggage for the Journey Home From MCO

The United States has not dropped its liquid limits. Even if you fly out of Gatwick with a cabin bag full of full-sized liquids, the American TSA at Orlando International Airport (MCO) will still strictly enforce the 100ml rule when you fly home. Any full-sized liquids you bought in the UK or Florida must go directly into your checked luggage for the return flight home, or you will be leaving them behind at Orlando security.

Magic In A Minute

Manchester Airport rules around the size of liquids you can carry in hand luggage this Summer remain at 100ml. IT’s the only UK airport offering direct flights to Florida that has not changed hand luggage liquid rules as the new scanners have not yet been signed off. If you are flying direct from any of the other 3 airports, you can take 2 litres of fluids in your hand luggage.