Following continued pressure from BALPA - with effect from the 26th of January flightcrew are now permitted to carry contact lens solution in quantities of up to 150ml. An associated requirement is that you will need to be able to verify your need to do so by providing ‘proof’ by way of confirmation by a medical practitioner for this requirement ie your licence.

Existing Dft regulations concerning ‘liquids’ remain unchanged as;

Crew may take personal food of a non-liquid nature (including, for example, pasta with sauce, or curry but excluding, for example, soup or yoghurt) for their duty period. You may be asked to taste your ‘food’ as part of the screening process.



No liquids of any kind are allowed in quantities of greater than 100ml except for aircrew where contact lens solution in up to 150ml quantities is allowed provided a note from a medical practioner confirms it is required for your flying duties. All individual liquid items must fit comfortably into one transparent, re-sealable bag, no larger than 1 litre (approximately 20cm x 20cm). Note that there is no specific dimension for this bag. It is the 1 litre volume which the regulations specify.

The exception to this rule is ‘essential medicines’ in liquid form which may be carried in sufficient quantities for the particular trip. It is the crew member who defines what to them constitutes an ‘essential medicine’.

The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquids/solid mixtures and pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc.