Airport fast track security lane prices and booking details

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Looking to beat the check-in queues in terminals this year - here travel journalist and expert Pete Barden looks at how you can book fast track airport security at Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and all UK airports. 

Airport queues for security checks UK 2022Beat the queues with fast-track security lanes 

Latest: Why are there security delays at Birmingham Airport and others?

Birmingham Airport is facing huge delays at security checkpoints due to a combination of factors. A significant cause is the recent government decision to temporarily reinstate the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage.
 
This unexpected change on June 1 came just as the airport had completed a major upgrade to its security facilities, investing £60 million in new scanners designed to handle larger liquid containers.
 
These new scanners were set to be able to process larger liquid volumes, allowing the lifting of the 100ml restriction on June 1.
 
However, the Department for Transport's reversal on this decision has necessitated manual checks for larger containers, significantly slowing down the screening process​​.
 
Additionally, ongoing construction work at the airport is contributing to the congestion. The combination of these construction projects and the influx of summer travellers has led to extensive queues, sometimes extending outside the terminal.
 
Passengers are being advised to arrive well in advance of their flights to account for these delays​.
 

What are security fast track lanes at UK airports?

Fast track security lanes at UK airports are designed as a priority service to help people - who are willing to pay a fee - bypass long queues of passengers heading to security checkpoints ahead of boarding their flights and onward journey.

The lanes are just one of various paid extras that airports and airlines offer, such as extra legroom seats, to add a little luxury and comfort to journeys where passengers can't pay for the likes of Business or First Class travel.

Does security fast track mean I can skip security?

No. Anyone using fast track services will still have to undergo the same security checks as passengers who have not paid for the service - they just get there faster in most cases. Normal border rules apply whether using fast track or not.

Does a security fast track pass help protect me from Covid-19 infections such as Covid-19?

There is no official research into the question of whether using fast track lanes can help protect you from Covid infection, but spending less time with large amounts of people from all over the world could offer some lessening of risk - simply by being exposed to fewer people for shorter periods of time.

Is security fast track available for Christmas?

Yes. The service is available at airports all year, with most of the services that were suspended during the pandemic being brought back into service for 2022.

Is security fast track worth it?

Research by consumer champions Which? has suggested that making a security fast track booking is most likely to save you time when travelling at peak times.

If you plan to arrive at the airport for a flight leaving before 10am, then a security fast track booking is likely to cut the amount of time you are required to wait for checks.

The priority lanes could also be useful for those who arrive late and don't want to miss their flight - as security queues account for one of the top pinch-points in the airport boarding process. A fast track pass will help keep delays to a minimum.

Can kids use fast track security lanes?

Many airports allow children to use the service - often at no extra charge when accompanied by an adult. However, some will require payment, adding a substantial sum to a family's pre-departure spending.

It is also worth looking for any small print before booking your fast-track pass. For example, at some airports passengers are unable to use the service if they are in possession of a child's buggy.

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How do I buy fast track tickets for UK airports?

Just use our list below, which gives a guide to all airports for the cost of using the service and a link to buy fast track tickets for each airport. See below.

What airports in the UK are the worst for queues?

A Which? survey found Manchester Airport Terminal 2, Luton Airport, Manchester Airport Terminal 1, Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport Terminal 3 were the top five for queues.

Fast track security lanes at UK airports

London Heathrow T2, T3, T4, T5

Security fast track lane: Yes - but this is currently suspended and not operating.

How much: N/A

Details: The priority lanes at Heathrow Airport are currently suspended.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

London Gatwick Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes - and the service has now opened for the South and North terminals

How much: From £5

Details: Open from 02:00 to 20:45, the service is free for children up to 2 years of age.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

London Stansted Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £8.00

Details: Dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint. Open 04:00 to 20:00

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

London Luton Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £5.00 if booked online, or £6.00 at the airport via kiosk in terminal.

Details: Speeds up the journey between the public departures area and security - with free entry for kids under 2.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

London Southend Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £7.00

Details: Due to limited passenger numbers, Southend Airport has taken Fast Track off sale as there would not be sufficient added value because of already short processing times.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

London City Airport

Security fast track lane: No

How much: N/A

Details: No priority lane for security - unless you book first class travel with your airline.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Manchester Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: From £4.00

Details: Dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint. Open from 02:30 to 23:00 daily,

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Newcastle Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: From £4.00 online or £5.00 at the airport

Details: Children under 5 can accompany parents or carers using the priority lane for free.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Liverpool Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £4.00 online or £5.00 when purchased at the airport

Details: Liverpool Airport says maximum benefit from its priority lane can be gained during peak times in the morning.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Leeds Bradford Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: From £5

Details: The security fast track service is available every day and must be booked at least 1 hour before arrival online or at the on-site Travelex outlet. One child goes free for every paying adult

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Birmingham Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: Pre-book online for £4.00

Details: Pre-book Express Lane Security online and simply show the barcode and booking confirmation to the office at the entry to the Express. Under 5s go free with parent or carer.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more 

East Midlands Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: From £5.00

Details: The priority lane is open 05:00 until 19:00, with limited availability.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Southampton Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £4.00 online

Details: Passengers using priority security can gain fast-track access to the security search area using a dedicated lane.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Bristol Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £4.95 online or from £6.00 at the airport

Details: Please note - infants and babies will need to have a ticket purchased to accompany parents or carers.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Exeter Airport

Security fast track lane: Suspended

How much: /NA

Details: N/A

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Edinburgh Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £6.00

Details: Priority lane can be booked online

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more 

Glasgow Airport

Security fast track lane: Available to book from 1st April 2022 onwards

How much: £5.99 when operational

Details: N/A

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Aberdeen Airport

Security fast track lane: Yes

How much: £4.00

Details: Helps to beat peak-time queues as passengers head to security checks.

Further details / Book fast track security here: Find out more

Fast track security lanes UK airports 2022 at a glance

AIRPORT SECURITY FAST TRACK COST Details
London Heathrow (LHR) No online sales N/A Find out more
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) Yes £5.00 Find out more
London Stansted Airport (STN) Yes £8.00 Find out more
London Luton Airport (LTN) Yes From £5.00 Find out more
London Southend Airport (SEN) Yes From £7.00 Find out more
London City Airport (LCY) No N/A Find out more
Manchester Airport (MAN) Yes From £4.00 Find out more
Newcastle Airport (NCL) Yes From £4.00 Find out more
Liverpool Airport (LPL) Yes From £4.00 Find out more
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) Yes £5.00 Find out more
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) Yes From £4.00 Find out more 
East Midlands Airport (EMA) Yes £5.00 Find out more
Southampton Airport Yes £4.00 Find out more
Bristol Airport (BRS) Yes From £4.95 Find out more
Exeter Airport (EXT) Suspended N/A Find out more
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) Yes £6.00 Find out more 
Glasgow Airport (GLA) Available to book from 1 April 2022 N/A Find out more
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) Yes £4.00 Find out more

Beat Border Force Christmas strikes with Fast Track arrival

Border Force workers - who check passports on your arrival - who are members of the PCS Union at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff airports - will strike for eight days between 23 December and New Year's Eve.

Some of these airports offer fast track arrival lanes to make it possible to beat queues. We are not sure if these will be open during the strike, but booking now could potentially save you hours of queueing if they are. See what the airport in question has to say on the fast track arrival service below. We would advise you find out if refunds are available should they close due to the strike. 

Gatwick Airport

Cost: £9.99
Currently closed, but website says check back for updates.
 

Heathrow Airport

Cost: Not available
Available through certain airlines only.
Not available to book through the airport's website.
 

Manchester Airport

Cost: £5.00 per person
When returning from your journey, benefit from access to a dedicated lane and a faster route to Passport Control.
More details. Just 50 passengers an hour.
 

Birmingham Airport

Cost: £5.00 per person 
Only 50 tickets per hour, so book early. Beat queues to passport control as you arrive in the UK.
 

Cardiff Airport

Cost: N/A
No fast-track arrival service offered.
 

Fast track passport lanes for passengers arriving from the US (America) to Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and other UK airports

Travellers arriving from the United States often experience long delays after flying in from airports across America. Here we provide information for travellers from the US looking to shorten passport queues and avoid the large crowds currently being reported at UK airports receiving flights from American airports.

UK AIRPORT FLIGHTS FROM US FAST TRACK PASSPORT SERVICE MORE DETAILS
Birmingham Yes £5.00 per person - but only 50 tickets per hour, so book early. Beat queues to passport control as you arrive in the UK. Find out more details here
Bristol Yes Only fast track departures offered.  
Cardiff Yes No fast track for arrivals offered.  
East
Midlands International
Yes No products for fast arrivals are currently available due to restrictions. Find out more details here
Edinburgh Yes No products currently available for fast track arrivals. Find out more details here
Glasgow Yes Not available for arrivals.  
London Gatwick Yes £9.99 Find out more details here
London
Heathrow
Yes Available through certain airlines only. However, not currently in use due to Covid-19 restriction. Find out more details here
Manchester Yes £4.00 Find out more details here
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Author: Pete Barden:

Twitter: @pete_barden

Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.

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