WORLD AIRPORTS & HAND CHECKS
GREEN = consistently good experiences, always easy hand checks of every ISO, friendly & educated staff
YELLOW = consistently good experiences with high-ISO films, could improve with ISO below 1600
ORANGE = mixed experiences depending on the staff. Some bad experiences reported
RED = consistently bad experiences, difficult to get a hand check, uninformed staff
EUROPE
| CITY | AIRPORT | SCANNER TYPE | HAND CHECK BELOW ISO1600 | HAND CHECK ABOVE ISO1600 | STAFF AWARENESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALBANIA | |||||
| TIRANA | Nënë Tereza (TIA) | CT scanners | Easy | Easy | Informed |
| ARMENIA | |||||
| YEREVAN | Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) | X-ray scanners | 50/50 | 50/50 | Not informed at all, some staff does not even understand what is photographic film |
| AUSTRIA | |||||
| VIENNA | Vienna International Airport (VIE) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Yes, but may need discussion | Informed, but under 1600 is not possible (4 reports, last 01.2025). |
| BELGIUM | |||||
| BRUSSELS | Brussels-Zaventem Airport (BRU) | X-ray scanners | Not likely, but possible | Officially -granted, starting at 800ISO | Official instructions do not allow hand check of film below 800ISO. However, some staff isn't even informed about that, and there is a case of refusal even with Delta 3200. Calling supervisor helps. 1 very good report with Kodak 500T film 01.2025 |
| BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA | |||||
| BANJA LUKA | Banja Luka International Airport (BNX) | Old X-ray scanners (labeled "safe for film") | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly, speaking Croatian/Serbian helps (1 report) |
| SARAJEVO | Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) | Old X-ray scanners + CT line (Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX) | No | No, even with CT | Not informed at all (1 report, 01.2025) |
| BULGARIA | |||||
| SOFIA | Sofia Airport (SOF) | X-ray scanners | Likely | Yes | Informed (1 report) |
| CYPRUS, REPUBLIC OF | |||||
| PAFOS | Pafos International Airport (PFO) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Not necessarily informed, but friendly (1 report) |
| CZECH REPUBLIC | |||||
| PRAGUE | Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) | X-ray scanners | No (but worth a try explaining) | After calling supervisor (who always says yes). | Not very informed (3 reports). 1 report where the staff could be convinced. |
| OSTRAVA | Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava / Ostrava-Mošnov International Airport (OSR) | n/a | Officially, not below 800ISO - but worth asking | Yes, sometimes with calling supervisor | Not very informed, but willing to talk (1 report) |
| CROATIA | |||||
| SPLIT | Split Airport (SPU) | X-ray scanners | Possible, with explanations | Yes | Staff has to ask supervisor, hand check likely granted |
| DENMARK | |||||
| AALBORG | Aalborg Airport (AAL) | X-ray scanners | 50/50 | 50/50, but theoretically they do offer hand checks | Not too informed, believe their machines are “film safe” |
| BILLUND | Billund Airport (BLL) | X-ray scanners | 50/50 | Yes, above 1600ISO. Call supervisor if denied | Rather informed |
| COPENHAGEN | Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup (CPH) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners. Installing more CT scanners. | 50/50 | Maybe, with calling supervisor. The airport customer support themselves seem very confused about their own procedures. | Depends on staff. For motion picture film, bring a dark bag so that the staff can inspect it. With CT scanners, informed. Late 2024, 3 reports of much better hand-checking attitudes, even with X-ray scanners. |
| ESTONIA | |||||
| TALLINN | Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (1 report) |
| FINLAND | |||||
| HELSINKI | Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) | CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (3 reports) |
| FRANCE | |||||
| BASEL/FREIBURG/MULHOUSE | EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/EAP/MLH) | X-ray scanners. Possibly CT scanners coming soon | No chance | Might require explanations | Not informed (3 reports) |
| NANTES | Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE/LFRS) | X-ray scanners | Yes, if you insist | Yes | Rather informed, but difficult below 1600ISO (2 reports) |
| MARSEILLE, FRANCE | Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) | T2 - old X-ray scanners, T1 - CT scanners | No | Not likely | Not informed, flat out refusing hand checks (2 reports) |
| NICE | Cote-d-Azur (NCE) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Really difficult, takes a lot of time + filling out a police report, but possible | Low to none. Supervisors informed. |
| PARIS | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport/Roissy (CDG) | X-ray scanners | Unlikely | Possibly, with explanations. Extremely mixed reports. | Heavily depends on staff. And luck. |
| PARIS | Paris Orly Airport (ORY) | CT scanners | Yes, may require explanations | Yes | Rather informed (depending on staff) |
| PARIS | Gare du Nord Eurostar Terminal | Looks like X-ray (but possibly CT) | 50/50 | Not always. May require explanations | Not very informed (3 reports) |
| POITIERS | Poitiers–Biard Airport (PIS) | Old X-ray scanners | They “usually don’t do it”, but maybe you can get lucky | 50/50 | Not informed at all. Believe their scanners are fully film-safe |
| TOULOUSE | Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) | n/a | No | Above 1600, if insist & call supervisor | Not informed at all |
| GERMANY | |||||
| BADEN-BADEN | Flughafen Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) | Standard X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| BERLIN | Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt (BER) Terminal 1 | X-ray scanners | Low chance. They often separate lower-ISO films from 3200ISO, if they’re in a mix. | They often call some extra security staff, but always grant hand check. | Mostly, rather informed. In general, friendly and professional. |
| BERLIN | Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt (BER) T2 | CT scanners | Sometimes put film through an older X-ray scanner, sometimes just grant hand check | Yes, easy | About CT, yes. Not informed about old X-ray scanner effects |
| COLOGNE | Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners | Possible, with some explanations | Yes | Informed |
| DORTMUND | Dortmund International Airport (DTM) | n/a | 50/50, with some explanation | Usually yes, with explanations | Mostly informed. Depends on the staff. |
| FRANKFURT | Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners, depending on the terminal and connection | Possible, may be problematic. Depends on staff | Yes | Rather informed, but reports vary |
| HAMBURG | Hamburg Airport (HAM) | X-ray scanners + 1 line CT scanners | 50/50, may need explanations | Yes, may need explanations | Mixed reports: both very good (2) and pretty bad (3). Depends on staff. Can take long. |
| MUNICH | Munich International Airport (MUC) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners. T2 has only Smiths Detection CT scanners. | Film is sent through an X-ray scanner instead of CT, if below 3200ISO. Hard to convince otherwise. | Yes | Informed with CT scanners / not so much about X-ray (5 reports) |
| NUREMBERG | Nuremberg (Nürnberg) Airport (NUE) | Mix of X-ray and CT scanners | May require explanations | Yes | Informed |
| WEEZE | Weeze/Niederrhein Airport (NRN) | X-ray scanners | Low chances | Possible, with explanations and insisting | Not informed (1 report) |
| GREECE | |||||
| ATHENS | Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Possible, with explanations | Not very informed |
| HERAKLION | Crete Heraklion International Airport (HER/LGIR) | X-ray scanners | Yes, with explanations | Yes | Rather informed & friendly, open to discussion (2 reports) |
| ZAKYNTHOS | Zakynthos International Airport Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) | X-ray scanners, which are quite strong (visible X-ray lines on 2 rolls of 400ISO 120 film) | Possible, if insisted upon | Granted, with some explanations | Not too informed (2 reports) |
| HUNGARY | |||||
| BUDAPEST | Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) | Advanced X-ray scanners | With explanations, sometimes possible | Yes, above 1600 - but may require calling supervisor | Depends on staff. 1 neutral report, 1 negative. |
| ICELAND | |||||
| REYKJAVIK, ICELAND | Keflavík International Airport (KEF) | n/a | Very likely | Yes | Informed & friendly (6 reports) |
| IRELAND | |||||
| DUBLIN | Dublin Airport (DUB) | X-ray scanners and CT scanners in Terminal 2 | Easy with CT scanners. Below 800ISO, with X-ray scanners, might be difficult. | Yes, above 800ISO - easy | Informed & friendly |
| ITALY | |||||
| ANCONA | Marche Airport (AOI) | X-ray scanners | 50/50 | Yes, easy | Rather informed |
| BARI | Bari Karol Wojtyła/Palese Airport (BRI) | X-ray scanners | Possible, with some explanations | Yes | Rather informed |
| BOLOGNA | Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) | CT and X-ray scanners | Films sent through X-ray instead of CT scanners | Maybe, with calling supervisor | Not very informed |
| BERGAMO | Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) | X-ray scanners with “film safe” stickers | No chance | Maybe, with calling supervisor | Not informed. 1 report of hand check with an official letter from the airport, and some convincing. |
| CATANIA | Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) | X-ray scanners (labeled "film safe") | No | No | Absolutely uninformed (2 reports). Calling supervisor and having 3200 film helps. |
| MILAN | Milan Malpensa (MXP) | CT scanners (Terminal 1) + X-ray (Terminal 2) | Yes, in T1. 50/50 in T2 | Likely | Very mixed reports. Both excellent and quite negative. 1 case of total refusal even after involving the police (11.2024) |
| PALERMO | Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO) | X-ray scanners | May be difficult | May need explanations | Depends on staff. Very mixed reports |
| ROME | Fiumicino (FCO) Terminal 1 | All CT scanners, 1 X-ray | 50/50. Sometimes they hand check, sometimes you’re sent through a regular X-ray instead of CT. | No problem. Still sometimes have to explain it at the X-ray scanner. | CT scanners have giant “no film safe” stickers all over. But the staff believes X-ray scanners are totally safe (3 reports). Some staff extremely accomodating (1 report) |
| TRIESTE | Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS) | n/a | No | No | Everyone uninformed, including supervisor |
| TRAPANI | Trapani-Birgi Airport (TPS) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Likely not | Everyone uninformed, including supervisor. Multiple reports |
| VENICE | Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) | X-ray scanners (labeled "film safe") | No | Unlikely | Not informed (2 reports) |
| LATVIA | |||||
| RIGA | Riga International Airport (RIX) | CT scanners with “film safe” stickers | Requires talks and explanations. Staff claims “below 400ISO it’s OK” | Higher chances of hand check, but still not 100% | Not informed at all |
| MACEDONIA | |||||
| SKOPJE | Skopje International Airport (SKP) | X-ray scanners | No | Also no (!) | Not informed at all (despite the official policy of allowing hand-checks). (2 reports) |
| MOLDOVA | |||||
| CHISINAU | Chișinău International Airport (RMO) | CT scanner at entrance, X-ray scanners at security | For CT scanner, yes, for X-ray - no | For CT scanners, yes, for X-ray - difficult | Informed only about the CT scanners |
| NETHERLANDS | |||||
| AMSTERDAM | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) | CT scanners + old X-ray scanners in T1 | Usually possible, sometimes have to explain. Sometimes films gets pushed through the old X-ray scanners instead. | Yes | Awareness growing over the last years. Getting better. |
| EINDHOVEN | Eindhoven International Airport (EIN) | CT scanners only | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (2 reports) |
| NORWAY | |||||
| OSLO | Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (5 reports) |
| BERGEN | Bergen Airport (BGO) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
| STAVANGER | Stavanger Airport (SVG) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
| POLAND | |||||
| KATOWICE | Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport (KTW) | n/a | No chance | Extra difficult | Not informed at all |
| KRAKÓW | John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) | X-ray scanners | Possible | No problem | Quite informed |
| WARSAW | Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Extra difficult | Not informed and unwilling to cooperate (multiple reports) |
| WROCLAW | Copernicus Airport Wroclaw (WRO) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Not likely | Not informed at all |
| PORTUGAL | |||||
| LISBON | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | X-ray scanners so far (no “film safe” sticker). Planning to install CT scanners in 2025 | No | Low chances | Before 2025, not informed at all, famous for flat out refusing hand checks (5 reports+a lot of info online). According to a late 2024 report, there is a new policy about hand-checking films. According to a 2025 report, the new policy is implemented, and films are hand-checked without problems (officially confirmed by airport). |
| MADEIRA | Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) | Mostly, X-ray scanners. Maybe 1 CT scanner. | No chance | Difficult, but possible. Depending on staff | Depends on staff.Usually, requires extensive paperwork days in advance for hand checks (2 reports) Agreed to hand check without problem (2 reports, 2024/2025) |
| PORTO | Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) | X-ray scanners (and CT scanners?) | No | No | Not allowed hand check unless with official permission from airport. (3 reports) |
| ROMANIA | |||||
| BUCHAREST | Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) | looks like CT scanners | Below 1000ISO - no chance | Possibly, might require explanations | Uninformed & not friendly (1 report) |
| CLUJ-NAPOCA | Avram Iancu Cluj (CLJ) | CT scanners mostly, possibly some X-ray left. Airport is under reconstruction | With CT scanners, no problem | Easy | Rather informed |
| RUSSIAN FEDERATION | |||||
| MOSCOW | All airports: SVO, VKO, DME | X-ray scanners. At least 3 scans between entering the airport and boarding | Not likely, in any of the airports | Not likely | Totally uninformed, but worth trying. Sometimes hand check is granted |
| SERBIA | |||||
| BELGRADE | Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) | High-power X-ray scanners (Nuctech Kylin MV) with “film safe” stickers (yep) | No | Very low chances | Not informed (according to multiple reports). 1 report of successful convincing. |
| SLOVAKIA | |||||
| BRATISLAVA | Bratislava M. R. Štefánik Airport (BTS) | CT scanners | Nope | Also no | 1 report of a very unfriendly experience, where films were pushed through a scanner and damaged. The airport responded to a follow-up email promising “training of the staff for film handling" |
| SPAIN | |||||
| ALICANTE | Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) | Old X-ray scanners | Likely, yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (1 report) |
| ASTURIAS | Asturias Airport (OVD) | X-ray scanners | No | Even with explanation and insisting, might be difficult | Not informed |
| BARCELONA | Barcelona El Prat International Airport (BCN) | X-ray scanners so far. Currently installing CT scanners. | Not too likely | Yes, may need explanations | Depends on the staff. 1 report when 1600ISO film was forced through the X-ray. |
| BILBAO | Bilbao Airport (BIO) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Difficult | Not informed at all (2 reports, last 01.2025) |
| MADRID | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) | Rapiscan X-ray scanners with “film safe below 1600ISO" stickers | No chance (really, none. Multiple reports) | Yes, but might require explanation. | Not very informed |
| MALAGA | Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) | X-ray scanners | No chance | Not likely | Not informed, including supervisor (2 reports) |
| PALMA DE MALLORCA | Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) | X-ray scanners with a "safe below 1600 ISO" sticker | No chance | Yes, may require explanations | Mostly, not very informed (multiple reports) |
| SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA | Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) | X-ray scanners | No, even after long discussion | Not too likely | Not informed (staff doesn’t speak English - maybe more luck with Spanish) (1 report) |
| VALENCIA | Valencia Airport (VLC) | X-ray scanners | 50/50. May require explanations | Likely, but not guaranteed | Depends on staff. Mixed reports, including negative ones. |
| SWEDEN | |||||
| STOCKHOLM | Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) Terminals 2, 4 and 5D | X-ray scanners | Not likely | Possible, with explanations | Depends on staff. Mixed reports. Officially, they have a routine for hand checking films. |
| STOCKHOLM | Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) TERMINAL 5 | CT scanners | Easy | Easy | Very informed |
| KIRUNA | Kiruna Airport (KRN) | X-ray scanners | Not | May be difficult | Not informed (3 reports) |
| SWITZERLAND | |||||
| GENEVA | Genéve Cointrin Airport (GVA) | 2 CT scanners, rest X-ray | No chance. They make you go through a regular X-ray instead of CT, but don’t hand check. | Usually possible, be ready to negotiate | About CT scanners, yes. X-ray scanners, very low awareness (4 reports) |
| ZURICH | Zurich International Airport (ZRH) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners, depending on the terminal and connection. From 2025, more CT scanners. | 50/50 | Yes | Mostly informed, especially with CT scanners - however, by some reports, not all staff is informed equally. Late 2024 - positive reports. |
| TURKEY | |||||
| ISTANBUL | Istanbul International Airport(IST) | CT and X-ray scanners with "film safe" stickers. Luggage gets scanned twice before getting to the airplane + scanners at international transfers. | Difficult | Will require explanation | Depends on the staff. Mostly not aware, but some are nice - worth a try (3 ok reports). 2 very negative reports. |
| UNITED KINGDOM | |||||
| ABERDEEN | Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) | Freshly installed CT scanners | Below 800ISO, might be tricky | Officially, 800ISO is the threshold | mid-2024, staff was not informed about CT scanners at all. Late 2024, much better reports - but staff still consulting scanner manuals. |
| BELFAST | George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) | CT scanners | With explanations, possible | Yes, above 1600 | Rather informed. 1 very good report even with low-ISO film 01.2025 |
| BIRMINGHAM | Birmingham Airport (BHX) | CT scanners | Only above 400ISO, and may require explanations & supervisor | Yes | Not informed about CT scanner effects below 400ISO (1 report). But may just hand-check everything (2 reports). |
| BRISTOL | Bristol Airport (BRS) | X-ray scanners | Generally, yes, sometimes needs explanations | Yes | Informed & friendly (4 reports) |
| EDINBURGH | Edinburgh Airport (EDI) | CT scanners | Quite likely. If going through CT scanners, films may be sent through an old X-ray machine instead. | Yes | Informed about CT / less about X-ray. Depends on staff. Sometimes hand-checks are easy (3 reports) , sometimes not so much. (2 reports). As of 2025, all scanners are CT, so hand checks are easy (2 very positive reports). |
| LONDON | Eurostar London-Paris | ? likely CT | Possible, with some explanations | Yes | Quite informed |
| LONDON | London Gatwick Airport (LGW) | X-ray and CT scanners. North Terminal - CT. | With CT, yes / with X-ray, not possible | With CT, yes / with X-ray, might need explanation | Rather informed about CT scanners, not so much about X-ray. Depends on the staff (both very good and mediocre experiences reported). Officially, the airport allows hand checks of any ISO. 1 very positive report about North Terminal. |
| LONDON | Heathrow (LHR) | Mix of X-ray and CT scanners. | Below 800ISO - no chance (officially). If you go through CT scanners, film might be sent through X-ray instead. Or hand-checked, if you’re lucky. | Above 800ISO, officially, film can be hand-checked | By multiple (over 7) reports, this has been by far the worst airport in the world regarding hand-check attitudes. Late 2024, some good reports started coming. 2025, 1 very positive report. Waiting for more to upgrade to orange :) |
| LONDON | London Luton (LTN) | CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed |
| LONDON | London Stansend (STN) | X-ray scanners + 1 CT scanner line | Yes, with CT. 50/50 with X-ray | Yes | Rather informed, depending on staff (3 reports) |
| LONDON | London City Airport (LCY) | X-ray scanners | Possible | Yes | Not many reports on this airport, but seems that the staff is rather informed |
| MANCHESTER | Manchester Airport (MAN) | X-ray scanners. Currently installing CT scanners. | Yes, above 800ISO | Yes | Mostly, informed & friendly (multiple reports). 1 report with film force-pushed through CT scanner - probably by a non-trained staff member? |
| NEWCASTLE | Newcastle International Airport (NCL) | CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (1 report) |
USA
| CITY | AIRPORT | SCANNER TYPE | HAND CHECK BELOW 1600ISO | HAND CHECK ABOVE 1600ISO | STAFF AWARENESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHICAGO | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
| DENVER, CO | Denver International Airport (DEN) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (2 reports) |
| DULLES, VA | Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
| FRESNO | Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) | X-ray and CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| HOUSTON, TX | George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | n/a | Very likely | Yes | Mostly, rather informed & friendly |
| LAS VEGAS | Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| LOUISVILLE | Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| NEWARK | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| NEW YORK CITY | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | X-ray and CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed, friendly, proactively suggesting hand checks |
| NEW YORK CITY | LaGuardia Airport (LGA) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly. Can be a longer wait, allow extra time. |
| PHILADELPHIA | Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
| PITTSBURGH | Pittsburgh International Airport (PGH) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| SAN FRANCISCO | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| SEATTLE | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Very informed |
| SEATTLE | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| TULSA | Tulsa International Airport (TUL) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly |
SOUTH/NORTH AMERICA
| CITY | AIRPORT | SCANNER TYPE | HAND CHECK BELOW 1600ISO | HAND CHECK ABOVE 1600ISO | STAFF AWARENESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | |||||
| MONTREAL | Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) | n/a | Possibly | Above 800ISO - for sure yes | Depends on the staff. (2 good reports, 1 needed high-ISO film to avoid X-rays) |
| TORONTO | Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | X-ray scanners (no CT yet) | Very informed & friendly (hand checks granted for 35mm, 120, and even large format film; changing bag required for large format inspection; staff knowledgeable and accommodating, though large format requires persistence) - 4 reports | ||
| CHILE | |||||
| CALAMA | Calama El Loa Airport, (CJC) | ? | Possible, with explanation | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| SANTIAGO | Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) Terminals 1&2 | ? | Possible, with explanation | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| COLOMBIA | |||||
| BOGOTÁ | El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed and friendly. 1 report of 3+ experiences, 2025 |
| SANTA MARTA | Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed and friendly. 1 report, 2025 |
| GUATEMALA | |||||
| GUATEMALA CITY | La Aurora International Airport (GUA) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly - 1 report of 2 experiences, 2025 |
| SANTA CRUZ DAS FLORES | Flores Airport (FLW) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (also with Super8) - 1 report 01.2025 |
| MEXICO | |||||
| AGUASCALIENTES | Jesús Terán Peredo (AGU) | X-ray scanners only | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| MEXICO CITY | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Staff is rather informed, 1 positive report, 1 of staff being unfriendly |
| QUERETARO | Querétaro International (QRO) | X-ray scanners only | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| OTHER CITIES | |||||
| HAVANA (CUBA) | José Martí international Airport (HAV) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| RIO DE JANEIRO (BRASIL) | Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) | n/a | Possible, with explanation | Possible, with explanations | Rather informed, friendly |
| PUERTO PLATA (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) | Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) | X-ray scanners | 50/50, requires insisting | Requires insisting | Limited knowledge (possibly also because of language barrier - 1 report) |
| SAN JOSÉ (COSTA RICA) | Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) | X-ray scanners at departure AND arrival | Not likely | Not likely | At departures, doing hand check is possible. When coming into the country, everything has to be scanned, and avoiding X-ray is basically impossible (1 report, 2025) |
OCEANIA
| CITY | AIRPORT | SCANNER TYPE | HAND CHECK BELOW 1600ISO | HAND CHECK ABOVE 1600ISO | STAFF AWARENESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUSTRALIA | |||||
| AYERS ROCK | Ayers Rock/Uluru Airport (AYQ) | X-ray scanners | May require explanations | May require explanations | Rather Informed |
| HOBART | Hobart International Airport (HBA) | X-ray scanners | Possibly | Yes (may open film boxes) | Informed |
| SYDNEY | Sydney Airport (SYD) | Mix of CT and X-ray scanners | 50/50, may need explanations | Yes, but also may need explanations | Depends on staff. Official policy: hand checks allowed regardless of ISO. (2 reports, last 01.2025) |
| MELBOURNE | Melbourne Airport (MEL) | X-ray & CT scanners | Likely | Yes | The airport security department believes the CT scanners do not cause damage to film. However, asking for a hand check is possible (but better in advance, in an email). 1 report from 2025 of easily getting 15 rolls hand checked. |
| NEW ZEALAND | |||||
| WELLINGTON | Wellington International Airport (WLG) | CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (posters advising film hand checks) |
| REPUBLIC OF FIJI | |||||
| NADI | Nadi International Airport (NAN) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Friendly, regadless of ISO (1 report 01.2025) |
AFRICa/ASIA/MIDDLE EAST
| CITY | AIRPORT | SCANNER TYPE | HAND CHECK BELOW ISO1600 | HAND CHECK ABOVE ISO1600 | STAFF AWARENESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA | |||||
| BEIJING | Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) | X-ray scanners | Yes, may require explanations | Yes | Rather informed & friendly |
| CHANGCHUN | Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| CHONGQING | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| HANGZHOU | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| HONG KONG | Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) | X-ray scanners | Possible, with explanation | Yes | Informed & friendly, sometimes opening film packaging (2 reports) |
| LHASA (TIBET) | Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) | X-ray scanners | Yes, may require some explanations | Yes, may require some explanations | Not too informed, but friendly |
| QINGDAO | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO) | X-ray with “film safe" stickers | No chance | Maybe, but no guarantee | Not informed |
| SHANGHAI | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) | n/a | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (multiple reports). Have a hand check request translation ready. |
| SHENYANG | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| XI’AN | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIA) | X-ray scanners only | Possible | Yes | Rather informed |
| ZHANGJIAJIE (HUNAN) | Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Rather informed (1 report) |
| MOROCCO | |||||
| MARRAKESH | Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) | X-ray scanners | Yes, with explanations | Yes, with explanations | Not super informed but friendly (1 report 2024) |
| TANGIER | Tangier Ibn-Battuta Airport (TNG) | X-ray scanners | Usually, yes | Yes | Rather informed & friendly (reports 2025) |
| SOUTH AFRICA | |||||
| JOHANNESBURG | OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) | n/a | Yes, may require explanation | Yes | rather informed, some staff occasionally confused, but friendly |
| CAPE TOWN | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (2 reports, 2025) |
| VIETNAM | |||||
| HANOI | Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) | X-ray scanners | Usually, yes - may need explanations | Usually, yes - may need explanations | Rather informed & friendly (1 report of 2 experiences, 2025). 1 report of difficulty convincing (2025) |
| DA NANG | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (1 report) |
| SAIGON - HO CHI MIHN | Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) | n/a, likely X-ray | Maybe possible, with a lot of insisting & calling supervisor | Maybe | Not very informed, seems like they don't have equipment for hand checks at all at domestic departures (1 report). At international departures, not possible. |
| ALGERIA | Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG) | X-ray scanners only | 50/50 | 50/50 | Not really informed |
| BALI, INDONESIA | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) | X-ray scanners, also at airport entrance | Likely | Yes | Informed & friendly (1 report) |
| BANGKOK, THAILAND | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (multiple reports) |
| COLOMBO (SRI LANKA) | Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (2 reports) |
| DUBAI (UAE) | Dubai International Airport (DXB) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly (4 reports) |
| DOHA (QATAR) | Hamad International Airport (DOH) | n/a | Possible, with explanation | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| ERBIL, IRAQ | Erbil International Airport (EBL) | CT scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (may open film packaging) |
| INDIA (everywhere) | Airports, museums, train stations, subway - everywhere | X-rays scanners | Easy | Easy | Informed & friendly. Never had a problem |
| KUWAIT | Kuwait International Airport (KWI) | n/w | Maybe, with explanations | Yes, may need explanation | Rather informed & friendly (1 report 2025) |
| JEDDAH (SAUDI ARABIA) | King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) | Likely CT (?) | Possible | Yes | Informed |
| KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA | Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) | X-ray scanners | Not likely | Yes | Rather informed, but no chance below 3200ISO |
| MAURITIUS | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | X-ray scanners only | Yes | Yes | Informed & friendly |
| NAIROBI, KENYA | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) | X-ray scanners (labeled "safe for film") | Very informed & friendly (hand check granted despite "film safe" stickers; staff were happy to help) | ||
| OSAKA (JAPAN) | Kansai International Airport (Kankū - KIX) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | informed & friendly |
| MANILA, PHILIPPINES | Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) | X-ray scanners | Yes | Yes | Very informed & friendly (hand checks granted without issues for any film - 1 report) |
| SINGAPORE | Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) | X-ray scanners | 50/50 | Yes | Rather informed, but sometimes resisting hand checks under 3200ISO. (2 reports) |
| SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) | X-ray scanners | Possible, with explanation | Possible, with explanation | Rather informed and friendly. Hand check very likely, especially with translation in Korean (4 reports) |
| TAIPEI (TAIWAN) | Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) | X-ray scanners + 1CT scanner at departures AND arrivals | Yes | Yes | Informed about CT scanner. 2 reports when explanations were needed with X-ray scanners. The airport advertises separating film from other luggage, and staff is now informed (2025, 1 report) |
| TOKYO (JAPAN) | All airports | - | Possible, with explanation | Yes | Informed & friendly (3 reports) |
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