Frequently Asked Questions

If you are travelling on a domestic flight (within the UK) then you can use any form of ID such as a passport or driving license but if you are checking in any hold luggage then you must present a passport.

If you are a UK citizen/passport holder travelling to another European country then a passport is required.

If you are a citizen of another European country then a National ID card is sufficient.

If you are a UK citizen/passport holder and your passport has been lost/stolen in the UK go to the Identity and Passport Service website for further instructions on reporting your missing passport and getting a replacement.

If you are a UK citizen/passport holder and your passport has expired you should also visit the Identity and Passport Service website to find out how to renew your passport.

UK citizens who lose their passports while overseas should report the loss immediately to the local police and the relevant British consulate/embassy/high commission. A list of these can be found here, and it may be worth noting the details of the nearest embassy to your destination before you travel.

Foreign nationals who lose their passport while in the UK should inform the local police and contact their relevant consulate/embassy.

Having photocopies of all important documents (passport, visas, tickets, European Health Card (EHIC), travel insurance, driving licence, etc) and keeping them separate from the original documents, will help you resolve matters more speedily should you lose anything. If there are two or more people in your party you could exchange photocopies to minimise the chances of all documentation being lost.

Found passports are returned immediately to the HM Passport Office or equivalent authority. If your UK passport is lost or stolen within the UK you should visit the Identity and Passport service website. You will also need to speak directly with your airline to advise them that your passport has been lost.

There are different requirements for entry into the UK depending on your nationality, country of residence, country of departure and the reason/duration of your visit. Please ensure you have the necessary documents/permissions before you travel or you could be refused entry into the UK. Further information can be found here.

Baggage allowances are set by each individual airline. If you can not find this information from your ticket or booking agent, then please visit our airline database where you will find a contact number for your airline.

For packing tips and information on items that must not be carried on board a flight or within your hold luggage please visit our packing pages.

Please speak to your airline about your requirements before travelling, but be reassured that if you have a genuine medical condition (supported by a letter from your GP or hospital) then there should be no problem with taking such items on board the plane.

All such items are prohibited from hand luggage and from being carried on board a plane on your person. Please make sure that they are packed in your hold baggage as items confiscated at security control will not be returned to passengers.

Yes knitting needles are permitted in your hand baggage.

If you are travelling with an infant then you can carry milk on board which exceeds 100ml. You can only take the amount needed for your journey and it may be subject to additional tests.

Yes you can carry solid make-up with you. Any liquids, gels or pastes must be in containers no bigger than 100ml and must fit within one transparent resealable bag.

Baggage delivery is the responsibility of each airline. For enquiries relating to hold baggage please contact your airline directly.

Airline contact details

In the unlikely event that your baggage is damaged when it arrives please speak to a member of staff from the handling agent for your airline. You can find the handling agent for your airline by selecting your airline and using the relevant contact details.

Please read the information on our tips & advice section.

If you have any further queries visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website for more details. Please note, it is illegal to bring in banned products, or amounts of products that exceed any weight limits that apply. They will be seized and destroyed, and you may be liable to prosecution.

A very small number of airlines have these kind of restrictions on hand baggage. Please confirm with your airline (contact numbers can be found through this link). Remember that hand luggage should be kept to a minimum.

We recommend you pack undeveloped film in your hand luggage. Special arrangements can be made for photographers with large quantities of film who wish it to be carried in the hold, by arrangement with your airline. Passengers should be assured that undeveloped film carried as hand luggage is safe.

The CAA supports the right for all air passengers to be treated with respect and dignity. When leaving the UK by air, it is necessary for all passengers to pass through airport security controls, where both persons and bags will be screened. This is an essential process to safeguard the travelling public, staff and the aviation industry. The following provides information and advice for transgender, non-binary and intersex passengers.

Buying tickets and checking-in: When making an airline reservation, you will be required to provide your name, date of birth and gender, which must match the details on your government issued travel document. This proof of identity may also need to be produced when you check in for your flight. It does not matter if your current gender presentation is not the same as that given on your travel documentation or the accompanying photograph, but the information on your ticket must align with that on your passport or other travel document, otherwise you may not be allowed to travel. If another person has booked your ticket, ensure they book using the information on your travel document. See www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/gender for further information on passports.

Packing your Hold and Cabin Baggage: All cabin baggage must be screened by X-ray equipment as a minimum and may also be hand searched by airport Security Officers. UK airports are required by law to conduct this screening. Cabin baggage is subject to different regulatory measures than hold baggage and it is advisable to check regulations before travel. Where possible consider packing all but items that are essential for the journey in hold baggage, for example any item containing liquids, gels or powders. This includes gel-filled prosthetic items apart from those worn on the body for the journey. Prescription liquid medication in containers of more than 100ml may be carried in Cabin Baggage but must be removed for separate screening, unless you are specifically advised otherwise by the airport, and must be accompanied by medical confirmation, such as a letter from a medical professional or prescription, with names matching travel documentation. This can be carried in addition to the usual one-litre bag that is allowed for toiletry and cosmetic items. At the same time, please note carefully the items, particularly dangerous goods, that your airline advises should not be packed in Hold baggage.

Security: All passengers must be screened before going into the departure lounge usually by a Walk Through Metal Detector, a Security Scanner, or both. In order to speed up the journey, you should ensure that all metallic items are removed, including footwear containing metal, belts, watches and large pieces of jewellery and ensure all pockets are empty. Any alarms will require further screening, usually by hand search or Security Scanner. If a hand search is required, you may ask for a search in private and have a companion with you if you wish. A Security Officer should always ask for your consent before beginning a hand search. The Security Officer may also request that you undergo a search in private; this is always in an area or room away from public view, where a hand search will take place and possibly with a hand-held metal detector or other hand held security equipment.

A Security Scanner will highlight anything unusual that it detects may be being carried on the body by a passenger. It will not display an actual image, but will indicate for the Security Officer an area for further investigation on an outline of a generic figure. No identifiable or personal features are visible on the screen. If you think you know what may have caused the alarm, you may wish to explain to the Security Officer what the item that has indicated may be. In many cases, especially where the Security Officer understands what has caused the alarm, a hand search of the area may be sufficient. However, the Security Officer may request a private search if they do not feel that the cause of the alarm can be resolved in this manner. Passengers may opt out of screening by Security Scanner if they wish: however unless a medical reason for this can be evidenced, such as medical device that is attached to the body, then the airport is required to carry out an enhanced hand search in private. This may entail the loosening or removal of clothing in order that the Security Officer can satisfy themselves that no prohibited articles are carried on the person. All such searches are carried out with a witness and a companion may accompany you if you wish.

We hope that your journey through airport security will be without problems. However, if you experience any treatment you feel is unfair or discriminatory in any way, you should contact the airport concerned, via their Customer Services Department.

Please visit our terminal information pages, which list the facilities available at Southampton Airport. If you need further help or directions when you get to the airport, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help you.

The airport maps page of our website contain maps of Southampton Airport and its facilities. You will need to download Adobe Acrobat (available on each of the pages) to view the maps, and in some cases launch Flash. 

The terminal building is open between 5am and 11pm.

Baggage can be left in the terminal for £10.00 per bag / per day and you’ll have peace of mind that your belongings will be held securely until you collect them. Some restrictions apply. For further details, please visit the left luggage desk in the main terminal (before security by the check-in desks). Please note that due to security reasons there are no lockers for storing your luggage. This service is subject to operational capacity.

If you have lost items within the airport itself please contact the lost property office at the airport.

If you have lost items while on an aircraft or airline bus, please contact your airline directly.

Southampton Airport, like all other public buildings in the UK, meet the minimum standards for disabled access as laid down by the Equality Act, but we strive to go beyond what must legally be provided. We aim to offer all our passengers good facilities, easily accessed and well signposted. We also want all our customers to feel included in the travelling experience, regardless of any special needs they may have. Visit our special assistance pages to find out more about the facilities available.

There are baby care units in the following locations:

- Before security opposite the taxi desk
- After security on the ground floor departure lounge disabled toilet facilities/baby change area
- After security on the 1st floor departure lounge in the male and female toilets

There are currently no viewing facilities available.

No, we don’t show sports matches at the airport.

No, not currently.

No, not at the moment.

We don’t have a dedicated facility at Southampton Airport for heating up baby food but the cafes and restaurants can warm food in a microwave for you.

Lounge bookings can be amended or cancelled up to 2 hours before your booking time. To make any changes to your booking visit the manage my booking area.

We are sorry if you have had had a problem with either our website or at our airport. Please let us know your thoughts, both good and bad, and hopefully we can use your feedback to build better services for all our customers. Please visit our feedback pages in the contact us section.

Please visit our shop listings for details of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, both before and after security control at Southampton Airport. The listings include opening times, telephone numbers and a brief description of what the shop offers.

Please visit our shopping pages for information on airport savings and customs allowances or go to the HM Revenue & Customs website for full details of when tax and duty are payable.

Our policies mean you can return almost any item bought at the airport free of charge, from anywhere in the world, for a full refund.

Yes. If you are flying to a destination within the EU (excluding UK and Ireland when flying from Southampton Airport) you may collect your purchases when you arrive back at the airport on your return flight. Visit our shopping collection pages for full details about this service.

Visit our transport and direction pages, which have details of how to reach the airport whether you are making the journey by train, bus, coach or car.

For full information about the different types of car parking available, car park locations and prices, please visit our car parking options pages.

Pre-book your car parking and on the whole pay a lower price than paying on arrival and you will guarantee your space.

Please visit our transport and direction pages, for information about the various transport options available from Southampton Airport.

Most operators of public transport have arrangements for passengers with special needs and information about these services can be found on our special assistance transport pages. There are priority parking spaces and extra help on hand at our airport car parks should you be arriving at the airport by car.

For information about travel into Southampton city centre please see our dedicated page.

Getting to Southampton Airport by train is easy, we are pleased to boast one of the fastest plane to train connections in Europe with only 99 steps to the main terminal from the near-by Southampton Airport Parkway Station.

You can find a full list of the destinations available from Southampton Airport in our destination pages.

If there is a destination you would like to fly to which is not currently offered please complete our feedback form.

You can easily cancel or amend your booking using the manage my booking section here. All you need is your email address and booking reference. See our Parking FAQs for more info

You can easily cancel or amend your booking using the manage my booking section here. All you need is your email address and booking reference. See our Parking FAQs for more info

Please visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for information on the safety of destinations worldwide.

Regulations regarding the carriage of animals are complex and vary from country to country and airline to airline. You are advised to contact the authorities in the destination country, as well as seek advice from your airline or a specialist pet travel agency before planning your journey.

AIRLINES
Airlines will only carry animals if advanced arrangements have been made, as space is often limited. There are two transport options (accompanied baggage or air cargo) and your airline will be able to tell you which services they are able to offer and the charges involved.

TAKING PETS OUT OF THE UK
You must comply with the requirements of the destination country. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) operates an export helpline on +44 (0)20 7904 6347 or Fax +44 (0)20 7904 6395.

PETS ARRIVING INTO THE UK
Except for dogs, cats and ferrets from specific countries that comply with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme, all pets will be required to undergo a period of quarantine. Arrangements must be made and confirmed before the journey commences.

PET TRAVEL SCHEME (PETS)
Dogs, cats and ferrets are now able to travel from a number of countries to the UK without the need to undergo six months quarantine provided they meet certain requirements. These requirements vary depending on the country or territory the pet is travelling from. Only carriers approved by Defra may carry animals into the UK on specific routes.

To be considered for entry under the Pet Travel Scheme, a pet will have to meet conditions as set out by Defra and must be carried in a suitable container – speak to your airline about how to prepare your pet for transport.

ASSISTANCE DOGS
Guide and hearing dogs qualify for the scheme and must meet the same requirements. Some airlines permit them to travel in the cabin.

If after looking through our FAQs, your enquiry has still not been answered please visit our help page and we will be happy to assist you with your enquiry.