Explore London Southend Airport’s pre-flight shopping experience
Airport security might sound scary… But Wingston Bear is here to reassure youngsters that their adventure through LSA Security is safe, easy and even a little bit fun, too!
Going through security
Mums, dads, carers — please be mindful of the latest regulation following the introduction of 100% body scanning at London Southend Airport. Children under 1m tall (including babies) will not be screened by the body scanner and instead be subject to a brief search by hand.
However, children over 1m tall will be required to enter the body scanner as part of their security screening process and should remove all outer wear and metal objects from their person beforehand. If the body scanner activates, we’ll carry out a brief search by hand in a dedicated search area – referred to by our Security staff as a ‘cabin’.
Parents/carers will be invited to carry babies or toddlers into the body scanner, where they will undergo a brief search by hand. If you wear a baby harness, please remove it and place in a tray to be screened separately.
Facilities for young children
Child-friendly food and drink options are available in our cafés, and SKYLIFE Lounge. Toys, books, magazines and healthy snacks and confectionery are available in our retail stores.
Water fountains for refillable bottles can be found at the rear of Security. You can even bring crayons and colouring pencils for use on our kids Ladybird play table, adjacent to the shopping and eating outlets.
Baby facilities
There are easily accessible toilets and baby changing facilities throughout the terminal.
Baby milk and food can be bought at WHSmith, as well as baby essentials and general health and wellbeing items. Baby milk and food can be warmed at any of our cafés.
Powdered baby food is permitted in cabin baggage, and is not included in the restrictions on liquids.
Parking & accessibility
All of London Southend Airport’s car parks have family friendly parking spaces with additional room so that parents and guardians can easily get children in and out of their car and into a buggy.
Our train station and terminals have lifts to make them accessible to families with buggies.
Buggies & car seats
You can take buggies/prams/pushchairs to the gate and take baby car seats through security for use on the plane. We recommend collapsible buggies that can be stored in the aircraft’s overhead compartment; however, always check with your airline ahead of time to confirm availability, cost and further allowances in addition to your cabin baggage.
Medication
Our detailed guidance on prescribed medications.
Medication in liquid form or in a container larger than 100ml – even those for children – must be accompanied by proof that the medication has been prescribed. For ease, consider bringing sachets of medicine under 100ml.
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Need help?
Check out our advice
Where’s the best place to park if I’m travelling with young children?
All of our car parks are a short walk to the terminal and easy for families travelling with young children to use. Learn more about our parking options.
Are there any baby changing facilities?
Baby changing facilities are located before and after security and in baggage arrivals.
Can I take baby formula powder through security?
There are no restrictions on taking baby formula in powder form through security.
Can I take baby milk or baby food through security?
You can carry enough baby milk or baby food for your journey in your cabin baggage, but you should pack the rest in your checked in baggage.
Is there anywhere I can warm my baby’s bottle?
You can warm baby bottles at SKYCAFÉ in the Departure lounge.
Do all children need to go through the body scanner?
Children under 1m tall (including babies) will be subject to a brief search by hand and will not be screened by the body scanner.
However, children over 1m tall will be required to enter the body scanner as part of their security screening process. They should remove all outer wear and metal objects from their person before entering the body scanner. If the body scanner activates, we’ll carry out a brief search by hand in a dedicated search area – referred to by our Security staff as a ‘cabin’.
Parents/carers will be invited to carry babies or toddlers into the body scanner, where they will undergo a brief search by hand. If you wear a baby harness, please remove it and place in a tray to be screened separately.
Can I carry my baby/toddler with me into the body scanner?
Parents/carers will be invited to carry babies or toddlers into the body scanner, where they will undergo a brief search by hand. If you wear a baby harness, please remove it and place in a tray to be screened separately.