In this post we look at avoiding the queues, speeding through security (if we can all do that, queues will be vastly shorter!), and making unavoidable queues more comfortable.
Since this is a comprehensive guide, here are links if you want to skip ahead:
First, let's look at what you can do to avoid the worst of the queues - you may be able to bypass them completely...
[skip to the next tip if this isn't for you]
While it might not be quite so exciting as booking a fast pass in a sunny theme park, I would go right now and book Fast Track for any airport queue that you possibly can (availability and budget allowing).
Seriously - go now! Run, don’t walk...
Tip - Check out what cashback is available when booking car parking, lounges and fast track. For example, when I just checked, TopCashback is currently offering 10-12% back for booking direct with Manchester Airport.
So, what are the options?
Skip to: Manchester | Heathrow | Gatwick | Other Airports
You can buy Fast Track for the security queue before your departing flight, and sometimes the immigration queue when landing back from overseas.
They typically cost £5 per person each, but can be worth their weight in gold!
I’ve flown from Manchester Airport more times than I can count and I always buy Fast Track for Security.
Honestly?
Sometimes over the years it’s been so quiet when I went through the security area that Fast Track actually saved me no time at all.
So why keep investing in it?
Sometimes it’s been absolutely thronged.
Seriously, it's occasionally felt more like a queue to get into the World Cup Final than a Northern England airport - on those days Fast Track has saved me over an hour of waiting - and this was pre-covid.
The bottom line:
There's always the chance you’ll feel your hard-earned cash was wasted if you catch a quiet slot, but compared to risking being stuck in a lonnng queue, personally I’d cheerfully slap down £5 each to knock it down to 5 or 10 minutes.
I flew from Terminal 2 on April 25th. We all had Fast Track, and that queue was empty - we reached the scanners within a minute or so. I was so relieved, as the normal security queue was heaving and would clearly have taken around an hour
Yes and no.
Almost anyone can use it, and there can be some tasty deals when bundled with car parking to bring the cost down, but not everyone needs to pay for it.
Huh?
You may be able to skip the standard security line without a booking, for no cost, if you either:
In these cases you will be directed to either the Fast Track lane or the adjacent Special Assistance queue.
DO make sure you ask if either of these apply - staff may not always identify your situation and pull you to the side proactively
One thing to be aware of, particularly if travelling in a large group, is that you are typically limited to 5 other passengers accompanying the child or person that needs special assistance.
Click through to purchase Security and/or Passport Control Fast Track from Manchester Airport.
**Please note: the airport website states that they are "currently unable to offer Security Fast-Track", and are only offering Passport Control Fast Track for Terminal 1.
We did learn in March that they withdrew it from sale for April & May, though continued to honour existing bookings - the Fast Track lane remained open.
However, they are now taking bookings for June onwards - it let me test-book for June 1st in Terminal 2 a couple weeks ago, and I've since booked it for June 16th, so give it a go - and keep trying if it doesn't work for your dates yet**
Top Tip - if you sign up for the airport's email mailing list you will sometimes be sent a discount code. Likewise if you book via the Manchester Airport app you can often secure a discount.
Fast Track is also offered with some airline tickets - so if you're flying anything more exciting than Economy do check with your airline to see if this is something they offer (Virgin, for example, don't offer this at Manchester, but Tui do for their 'Premium' passengers).
Heathrow have pulled Fast Track from sale as they attempt to resolve their staffing crisis, but this is where you can book it once it becomes available again.
Again, some 'premium' airline tickets offer you access to Fast Track at Heathrow without needing to purchase it separately - you can find out what express options Heathrow offers for these premium customers here (including the list of which airlines offer this service)
Speedier access through Gatwick works much the same way as at Manchester (albeit called Premium Security rather than Fast Track) - i.e. it can be purchased for around £5 or bundled with car parking.
If there is capacity, you can also add it on the day for £6.
Once again it is included with some airline tickets, so do check with your airline if flying anything more Insta-worthy than Economy.
Likewise, certain frequent flyer schemes offer complementary access.
For example, an easyJet Plus card grants you entry to Premium Security at Gatwick, and BA Executive Club Gold or Silver status offers access for both you and a guest - the same for one world Emerald & Sapphire members.
Gatwick also offers a Premium Passport Control product, similar to that at Manchester, but this is currently withdrawn from sale, presumably related to the staffing issues plaguing most UK airports.
Several other UK airports offer options for speedier passage through security and passport control queues.
Let me know if you need help digging out the details for an airport not in this list of the top 3 airports flying from the UK to the US :)
No, I haven't lost it - yet!
The reason I'm saying 'Goldilocks time' is because I advise that you arrive at the airport at just the right time - neither too early nor too late...
I know, it's a boring one - but it can make a real difference.
[skip to the next tip]
After seeing the nightmare queues across the news and social media over the past few months, some passengers are turning up at the airport five, six, even seven hours before their flight.
Whilst I understand this urge to cover all bases, it really doesn't help - and can actually make the airport experience worse for both you & your fellow travellers.
It can lead to a frustrating experience - you may arrive at Check In / Bag Drop desks before you can actually use them, meaning you'd have to queue all over again when they open to you - having made the queues worse for passengers of earlier flights.
Historically I've had a two-part rule of thumb:
At the moment, however, airlines are offering a range of guidance that can even vary from airport to airport.
The most important advice is to follow the recommendation of your airline and airport.
However, here is how things stand today with some of the leading airports and airlines (June 1st 2022):
As above, this information could change through the summer, so please check with your airline before you make your plan, and check the announcements from your airport, and if you're after details for airline/airport combos I've not mentioned, let me know :)
We've all been there.
(Even frequent flyers, though not all will admit it)
Dreading your bags going through the scanners - suddenly & inexplicably convinced you've left something in a bag that you shouldn't.
I realise how INCREDIBLY cheesy this is, but I genuinely have a 3 point plan for flying through security!
It's not foolproof (see below!), but it's certainly made passing through security easier, less stressful and speedier for me, as well as for us as a family.
Both boys got their bags pulled for extra checks passing through Manchester last month because we'd completely forgot about their little liquids bags (sanitiser and an inhaler for E).
A mistake I won't make again, but it was fine because we were so stress-free about the process and the staff were polite & friendly
Though do this with the knowledge that sometimes, at some airports, they decide to do things a little bit differently - don't let that rattle you.
[skip to my top tips for PACKING for security]
The better plan you have, the less likely you are to get caught out, and the quicker you'll be through the most stressful part of the airport journey.
A TSA Officer (in the US) once told me that if a substance wouldn't hold it's shape without it's container, it's considered a liquid, which I find a great rule of thumb
You are allowed one liquids bag per person - children have the same allowance
Things you ARE allowed to take on planes from a UK airport are shown on this page, and include tweezers, blunt small scissors, spoons and safety matches
[skip ahead to PREPARE for Security]
Rifling through luggage in the queue, removing items that need to go into trays for scanning, isn't fun.
I've spotted people having to lay down cabin cases and hunt through clothing to find their liquids pouch.
Others I've seen trying to pack their liquids bag in mid-air, needing to buy one*, or scrabbling around in backpacks, sweaty with stress, balancing them on their hip.
This creates longer queues and frustration for all.
Pack your hand baggage with an eye on what you'll need access to...
*Some airports, like Newcastle, sell liquids bags 2 for £1 out of a vending machine. Others, like Manchester, give them out for free.
Tip - Since this is technically an extra item of baggage and some airlines can be strict, I swivel it round to behind me when boarding - but also make sure it will fit in my cabin bag or personal item if ever challenged (not happened yet!)
NB - apparently it's cooler to call them waist packs these days...
[skip to the next section - making queues less stressful]
For some this might be a bit much, but I'm so stress avoidant when travelling these days that this works for me - particularly when traveling with the boys.
This means that when I reach the tray area I can pass through quickly and without drama!
Tray tip - you can't layer your items so use as many trays as you need. You cannot, for example, place a Kindle on top of an iPad, or a laptop on a coat.
Spread your things out so you aren't told to rearrange them, as this inevitably stresses people out - and that's when we make mistakes and lose things!
Do bear in mind that queues are moving slowly right now - people aren't fully following the rules so lots of items need extra screening, and staffing levels are low.
This means you could get separated from your belongings - they may be waiting for collection before you've even walked through the scanner!
I used to find this stressful but I'm ready for it now - I have AirTags in all my bags (bum bag, personal item and cabin case - as well as all our hold luggage), which gives me peace of mind, and 'Find My iPhone/iPad' is enabled on all devices.
I also put my least valuable items in the first tray/s and save the bumbag with my phone and passport for the last one, so I can hopefully beat it through & be waiting to grab it!
Everything else is replaceable - those 2 things are trickier during travel!
So you've done everything right.
Got to the airport at the right time, tried to purchase Fast Track, and you've planned, packed and prepared yourself to pass through screening as quickly as possible....when you reach it.
But now you've hit the bad luck jackpot and you're stuck in a lonnnng queue...
However bored and irritable us adults get, it'll likely be 10 times worse for children - particularly little ones who don't understand what's happening and have restless legs!
So think about what may help them feel less bored and more comfortable.
Largely the same applies!
Make sure you have a drink, perhaps a snack, something to entertain you and, ideally, a way to get comfy if you don't move for a while - many cabin cases can be used as a little seat for a while .
I try to think ahead about what might irritate me while stood in a queue and plan accordingly - for example, it might be hot & stuffy so I always have a fan (usually this small handheld or one that can hang around my neck for handsfree use) and a face mist to hand.
Essentially it comes down to preparation, utilising Fast Track options, knowing the rules, doing your research and planning for the worst:
Avoid queues where possible
Speed through security
Make waiting more comfortable
If I've missed anything off let me know over on Instagram and I'll update the post and happily credit you (if you like!).
In the meantime, good luck to all travelling soon and I hope it goes smoothly and speedily :)