Airport security is a necessary evil that many travellers find bothersome, particularly when it involves removing shoes in front of other passengers. However, this inconvenience has become a thing of the past at one UK airport.

London Luton Airport reports that more than three quarters (77%) of flyers have previously had to remove their shoes during security checks, and 37% have adjusted their travel outfits accordingly. With the successful installation of next-generation security scanners at the airport, passengers no longer need to worry about their footwear choices.

The airport’s research found that 30% of travellers felt limited by what they could wear due to security measures. Only 19% would choose to wear boots at an airport due to the requirement to remove them, and 30% have avoided wearing boots altogether for this reason.

However, this issue is now a thing of the past. From cowboy boots to trainers and city-gent brogues, the new technology means passengers won’t need to remove their shoes unless specifically asked under certain circumstances.

This results in quicker security processing times, a simpler passenger experience, and complete fashion freedom for footwear enthusiasts.

In fact, a quarter (25%) of travellers cited footwear as the first item of clothing considered when deciding on their airport ‘get up’, rising to 43% for Gen Z and 44% for younger millennial flyers. A quarter (26%) of passengers also said they dreaded the prospect of having to go barefoot, with travellers also feeling embarrassed (20%) and self-conscious (20%) at the prospect of revealing a hole in their sock whilst going through security.

The LLA research revealed that nearly half (46%) of flyers felt excited for a new era of simplified travel, with the top two most popular choices of heavy footwear while airborne being Timberland (26%) and Dr Martens (23%). With all security lanes at the airport now equipped with state-of-the-art body scanners and CT scanner technology, passengers travelling from LLA will benefit from quicker security checks.

Travellers can also leave liquids and electronic items in their bags as they pass through security without having to separate electronics, too. Current Government restrictions mean bottles and containers must still be limited to 100ml or less.

Neil Thompson, chief operations officer at London Luton Airport, said: “We were delighted to become one of the first major airports in the UK to offer the benefits of next-generation security to passengers ahead of what was a busy and successful summer at London Luton Airport. This investment provides LLA with enhanced screening technology, significantly streamlining operations to ensure a simple, friendly airport experience for all of our guests.”

Early risers can also now take advantage of LLA’s newly launched Prebook Security initiative, another option designed to make the security experience as quick and easy as possible. The free service allows passengers to skip security queues by reserving a 10-minute slot up to four days before travelling, if they are arriving at security between 3am and 4.30am.

The airport’s research was based on a survey of 2,000 adults based in the UK and was carried out by One Poll between September 27 to 30, 2024. Further stats were based on a survey of 2,000 adults based in the UK who go on holiday and travel by plane, carried out by One Poll between February 28 and March 4, 2024.