Airports with Fast Track

What is Fast Track Security?

Fast Track is a dedicated lane at airport security that may reduce the time you spend queueing before screening. Some airports also sell a separate Fast Track for passport control when you arrive back in the UK, which is a different product with its own price. Neither lets you skip the checks themselves: you are still screened at security and your passport is still checked on arrival. It is offered as part of premium parking, flight, and lounge experience and can also be purchased separately, either online or in person.

You may also be given Fast Track access if you have purchased Business Class or First Class tickets.

Fast Track tickets are always single-use. So, if you purchase a Fast Track ticket for a flight from Edinburgh to Athens, you can use it in Edinburgh before you pass into the departure lounge and start your duty-free shopping. But you cannot use it in Athens on the return leg of your journey.

What are the Benefits of Fast Track?

There is really only one benefit to purchasing a Fast Track pass: speed. The Fast Track lane may reduce queueing time, so you could spend less time standing around. It is not a guarantee: at busy times there can still be a wait, so leave the time your airline and airport recommend. Any time you do save can go on relaxing, a drink, some pre-flight food or a spot of duty-free shopping.

Of course, you won’t always encounter queues at security. As any regular traveller will tell you, sometimes you breeze through the standard lane just as quickly as the Fast Track one. If the standard queue is short, you may save little or no time. Prices vary by airport and product, so weigh up the cost against the queues you expect.

If you travel during peak times, it’s a different story. Not only is the main lane often busy, with a twisting, turning queue that seems to wrap around the entire airport, but even when you make it to the end of the queue, you still need to fight through the clamour of people to get your belongings.

This is when Fast Track begins to earn its fee.

Just remember that you still need to go through the same security screening process as all other travellers. You will be scanned. Your bags will be checked. And if there are any issues, you will be asked to step aside while they are investigated further.

You must also abide by the same rules, including those relating to liquids, sharp objects, and electronics.

UK Airports with Fast Track

You can find Fast Track options at a number of UK airports. It’s not always called Fast Track though and may be listed as some variation of “Premium” or “Priority”.

UK Airport Fast Track Options

Check out the following list of Fast Track options at UK airports. Departures security and arrivals passport control are separate products, so they have separate rows. Prices are those advertised by each airport for booking in advance; resellers, airlines and parking or lounge packages can charge different amounts. This is not a complete list of UK airports, and where we could not confirm a price, opening hours or child policy from the airport’s own pages, the table says so. Prices, availability and hours of operation are subject to change.

Fast Track products, operating times and child policies can change without notice, and availability may vary by date, terminal or flight schedule.

Fast Track vs Priority Boarding

Fast Track and Priority Boarding are two different services, but you may find them bundled together.

Fast Track is an airport service that gives you a dedicated lane for security. Priority Boarding is offered by specific airlines and provides a similar lane for boarding the plane.

You don’t get to your destination any quicker with either of these options, but if you don’t want to stand around in queues and prefer to have more time to shop, eat, drink, and settle into your seat, they should be considered.

Check with your departure airport to learn about Fast Track and contact your chosen airline to learn about Priority Boarding.