With the announcement this morning that English authorities have disrupted a major terrorist plot targeting airliners, both the US and UK governments have raised their terrorism threat levels and imposed new security restrictions on airline passengers.

Per the TSA in the United States the following restrictions are in place for all passengers departing on domestic or international flights:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exception: Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

• Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
• Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.

Per the British Airports Authority (BAA) passengers on UK international and domestic flights are subject to the following restrictions:

  Passengers are prohibited from carrying hand luggage into the cabin of an aircraft with the following excepts (which must be placed in a plastic bag):

pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));

travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);

prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.

contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.

for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and

sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).

tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

keys (but no electrical key fobs)

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger. 

Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point. In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

 We will continue to monitor the situation and will post updates should authorities announce a change in the security restrictions or if other nations choose to adopt more restrictive security policies as well.