Airport security guide 2025: What to expect, rules, and tips for a smoother journey

Passing through airport security doesn’t need to be the long and stressful process that it’s often made out to be. In fact, as long as the queues are short and you’ve done a bit of preparation, you can fly through security in no time.

To help you prepare, we've created a comprehensive guide to common airport security process questions, including what to wear, what to remove, and how to navigate the checkpoint smoothly.

Flying in 2025? Here's what to expect at airport security

The importance of airport security

Airport security is in place to protect passengers, crew, and aircraft from threats. This includes identifying potential hazards, detecting prohibited items, and maintaining secure environments through a range of checks - both visible (like scanners and officers) and behind the scenes (like behavioural monitoring and intelligence screening).

Policies vary slightly depending on your departure airport and country, so always check official guidance before flying. Security procedures can also differ due to staff discretion or scanning equipment. Stay flexible, follow instructions, and cooperate for a smooth experience.

Preparing for airport security: essential tips

Getting ready before you even step foot in the airport can make a big difference. Using these tips will help streamline your journey through security checkpoints, saving you time and reducing stress. Here's what you can do before you get to the airport:

Pack smart

• Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids:
• 3.4 oz (100ml) or less per container
• 1 quart-sized, clear, resealable bag
• 1 bag per person
• Start with an empty bag to avoid bringing restricted items.
  
  

Organise your carry-on

• Pack in layers: clothes, electronics, toiletries.
• Place electronics and liquids in easily accessible spots.
  
  

Keep travel documents handy

• Have your ID/passport and physical or mobile boarding pass ready before reaching security.

What do I need to remove when going through airport security?

Not knowing what needs to come off at airport security is one of the quickest ways to slow down your journey. Note: some airports use newer scanners that require fewer items to be removed, while others may be stricter. Follow staff instructions, and remember that airport policies vary globally. Checking with your specific airport before travel is always a good idea.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common items you’ll be asked to remove:

Liquids

Liquids must be removed from your carry-on and placed in a clear plastic bag in the tray. This includes any gels, pastes, creams, or sprays, even if they don’t seem like traditional liquids.

Most airports follow the 100ml (3.4oz) rule: each liquid container must be 100ml or less, and all containers must fit into a single, transparent, resealable bag no larger than 1 litre (about quart size). Only one bag is allowed per passenger.

Medications and baby food/milk are usually exempt but must be declared at security. Duty-free liquids in sealed, tamper-evident bags are allowed when purchased at the airport - keep your receipt handy.

✅ Place your liquids in a transparent bag and remove it from your carry-on for screening.

Bobby pins

While one or two bobby pins won’t make a difference, if you have a head-full of bobby pins in your hair, that’ll be enough to set off the metal detectors at airport security.

✅ Remove bobby pins if you have more than two in your hair.

Jewellery

Jewellery will only set off metal detectors if it’s made from magnetic metals. This means that you don’t need to remove high-quality rings, necklaces, bracelets and piercings made from silver, gold or platinum. However, if your jewellery is made from cheaper materials, it’ll most likely set the detectors off. Big and bulky jewellery with lots of metal may also trigger the metal detectors at airport.

If you're travelling with expensive jewellery e.g. engagement rings and fear of it getting lost at airport security, then you can ask an officer to scan your valuable in a private area.

✅ High-quality gold, silver, or platinum are usually fine but cheap, chunky, or magnetic-metal pieces may trigger scanners.

Belts

Metal buckles almost always trigger the metal detectors and must be removed. Plastic buckles usually won’t set off alarms, but many security officers will still ask you to take your belt off, especially if it’s visible.

✅ Pro tip: To save time, wear trousers or joggers that don’t require a belt, or wear a belt that’s easy to remove quickly.

Watches

Similar to jewellery, if your watch is made from cheap metals or is large and chunky, you should take it off. Otherwise, it’s okay to leave on your wrist as it’s unlikely to set off metal detectors. Some airports will ask you to remove the watch, regardless of the materials, as it may set off the detectors.

If your watch is expensive and you’re worried about leaving it in a tray unattended, put it in the inside pocket of your jacket or pack it in your carry-on baggage.

✅ Remove your watch if it's large, made from cheap metals, or you're asked to.

Mobile phones & electronic devices

Most airports will ask you to remove mobile phones from your pockets and place them in the tray for separate screening. This applies to flying with other electronics like iPads, Kindles, and e-readers as well. These devices can interfere with scanners and may trigger alarms if left on your person.

When flying with laptops, tablets, and larger electronics, they must be removed from bags and placed flat with nothing on top or underneath them in a separate bin (unless you have TSA PreCheck or a similar expedited service) to allow for a clear X-ray image. This procedure helps security personnel get an unobstructed view of the internal components and wiring, which is essential in detecting threats or prohibited modifications.

✅ Remove electronic devices from your pockets and bags and place on the tray to be scanned.

Underwire bra

Despite persistent myths, underwire bras almost never cause issues at airport security. Thousands of people wear them daily through scanners without setting off alarms. If you’re concerned about triggering detectors, consider wearing a sports bra or underwire made with plastic instead of metal.

✅ Underwire bras are fine to wear through airport security.

Smartwatch

Smartwatches, like Apple Watches or FitBits, usually don’t set off alarms and can be worn through scanners. However, due to different policies, some airports may still ask you to remove them - particularly if they're large or resemble other electronic devices.

✅ Remove if asked to, but keep on otherwise.

Wallet and purse

Wallets: If your wallet doesn’t contain metal (coins, keycards, etc.), you can usually keep it in your pocket. However, emptying your pockets is generally required at most airports, so it’s safer to place your wallet in the tray.

Purses: Due to size, purses must be placed in the tray for separate screening. If you're carrying valuables, either transfer them to your carry-on or keep them in a smaller zipped compartment.

✅ Remove purses for separate screening - wallets may stay in your pocket if they contain no metal, but it’s often best to place them in the tray.

Shoes

Many airports - especially in the U.S. - require travellers to remove their shoes. This rule may not apply in all countries, and some passengers (children, seniors, PreCheck members) may be exempt. Slip-on shoes make the process quicker and easier.

✅ Remove shoes unless you're told you may keep them on (e.g., in PreCheck or non-U.S. airports).

Jeans

Jeans are fine to wear through airport security. So, don’t worry, you won’t be asked to remove them! Some people might be concerned that metal buttons and zips on jeans will set off the metal detectors at airport security but these metals are so small that they’re unlikely to get picked up.

However, styles with metal studs or rivets may sometimes set off scanners, so if you're wearing heavily embellished clothing, you may be asked to undergo a pat-down.

✅ Jeans are fine to wear through airport security, but empty your pockets and place your belongings onto the tray.

Hats

Hats are not allowed to be worn through the scanners at airport security. You’ll be asked to remove your hat before walking through the metal detectors and can put it back on once on the other side.

✅ You must remove your hat at airport security.

Religious head coverings

Religious head coverings (such as hijabs, turbans, or yarmulkes) can typically be worn through screening. If a head covering triggers an alarm, a pat-down may be requested by an officer of the same gender. If the cause of what’s setting off the alarm can not be determined by a pat-down, you may be asked to remove the headscarf in a private area. Read more about flying with a hijab, burka, or khimar.

✅ Religious headscarves are okay to wear through airport security.

A wig

Airport security will not make you remove your wig when passing through. The metal clip on a wig rarely sets off metal detectors.

✅ Wigs can be worn through airport security.

Jackets and outer layers

Outer layers, including hoodies, jackets and cardigans will be asked to be removed and screened separately when passing through airport security. Depending on the security officer, you might also be required to remove loose-fitting sweatshirts. This applies even in cold weather, so dress in light layers when possible.

✅ Remove jackets, hoodies, and coats at security - keep light inner layers on to stay warm and avoid hassle.

Glasses & sunglasses

Regular glasses will not need to be removed when passing through airport security. There’s no official rule stating that you can’t wear sunglasses through airport security. However, wearing sunglasses through the airport may raise suspicion and you’ll most likely be asked to remove them at security.

✅ Remove sunglasses, but keep on regular glasses.

Headphones and earbuds

Large over-ear headphones usually need to be removed and scanned separately. In-ear buds (like AirPods) are often fine to keep in, but some officers may ask you to remove them as a precaution.

✅ Remove large headphones and place them in a tray - in-ear buds are usually fine to wear but remove if asked.

Special considerations

Traveling with children and pets

• Children under 12 can keep shoes on and undergo less invasive screening.
• For infants in strollers, you’ll need to remove the child and carry them through the detector.
• Pets must be removed from carriers and carried through the metal detector while the carrier is screened separately.

Medical and assistive devices

• Inform officers if you have medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, insulin pumps, prosthetics).
• You may request private screenings at any time.
• Mobility aids like canes or wheelchairs will be screened but can often stay with you.

Pacemakers: Avoid handheld wands and notify security staff before screening. Most pacemakers are safe with walk-through or body scanners, but official guidance (from the American Heart Association) recommends always alerting officers.

Metal implants: If you’ve had surgery involving metal implants (plates, screws, or joint replacements), let staff know in advance - they may set off detectors, but a manual pat-down or body scanner will be used instead.

Intrauterine device (coil): IUDs or coils are small and located deep inside the body, meaning they won’t be detected by airport scanners. There’s no need to notify security, and no special procedures are necessary.

Fast-track options

If you want to save time and skip the standard queues to get through airport security fast, consider these expedited security programs:

• TSA PreCheck (USA): Allows travellers to pass through dedicated screening lanes. Most PreCheck passengers can leave on shoes, belts, and light jackets, and don’t need to remove laptops or compliant liquids.
• Global Entry (USA): Offers expedited immigration processing and includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
• Fast Track (UK/EU): Available at many major airports for an extra fee, Fast Track allows passengers to access a separate, usually quicker security lane. It’s often included with business class tickets or frequent flyer memberships.
• CLEAR (USA): Uses biometric screening to allow members to move directly to physical screening (only available at select airports).

To use any of these, you’ll usually need to apply online and attend a brief in-person appointment. Availability and cost vary by country and airport, so check your airport’s website for specifics.

Summary: what to wear and what to remove

Wear:

• Easy-to-remove shoes (slip-ons are ideal)
• Comfortable, fitted clothing
• Minimal accessories (e.g., simple jewellery, no chains)
• Plain denim (avoid excessive zippers or studs)

Avoid:

• Bulky or layered clothing that may require removal
• Excessive or oversized metal accessories
• Embellished or metal-heavy outfits that may trigger scanners

Be prepared to remove:

• Belts with metal buckles
• Large or chunky jewellery (especially costume pieces)
• Outerwear such as jackets, coats, and hoodies
• Shoes (especially boots, heels, or high-top trainers)
• Hats and non-religious headgear
• Over-ear headphones (in-ear buds may be okay)
• Sunglasses worn indoors

✈️ Embracing a stress-free security experience

Airport security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation and awareness of what’s expected, you can breeze through checkpoints with minimal hassle. Think of security not as a barrier, but as an essential part of keeping your journey safe. By staying informed, organised, and patient, you're well on your way to a smoother travel experience.

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