Adelaide Airport (finally) gets a priority security screening lane

By Chris C., May 31 2018
Adelaide Airport (finally) gets a priority security screening lane

At long last, passengers flying from Adelaide Airport in first class, business class or with the right frequent flyer card can zip through the airport’s security screening formalities, thanks to the introduction of a new priority line at the airport’s main security checkpoint.

Located on the far right-hand side as you approach security – nearest to the Qantas check-in desks – the line welcomes travellers departing on any domestic or international flight in business class and first class, along with "premium" (Gold and Platinum) frequent flyers booked on the same.

On domestic flights, that includes Qantas Gold, Platinum, Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge members, along with Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum and The Club cardholders.

Eligible frequent flyers travelling internationally will instead receive an Express Path invitation from their airline, which can be presented for access to this queue.

As all domestic and international flights depart from a single terminal in Adelaide, every passenger goes through the same security checkpoint at the beginning of their journey, whether they’re jetting to Darwin or Dubai.

This can often result in lengthy queues during peak times, which are better-avoided if you're eligible for the fast lane.

An Express Path channel is also now provided at the airport's separate international security screening point – located within the airport's secure domestic departures area, before reaching the international gates – so although overseas-bound passengers have to clear a second security check, they'll again be whisked through the faster queue.

A spokesperson for Adelaide Airport confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that Express Path facilities are not available at passport control for departing passengers, or at passport control and Customs for arriving passengers, although most Aussie travellers can make use of SmartGate facilities here to save time.

International airlines serving Adelaide include Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Fiji Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, while Australia's Jetstar also jets abroad from Adelaide.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Oct 2013

Total posts 112

OMG finally - yay! long time coming and gratefully received - will make it so much easier esp international security which was a nightmare

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

30 Oct 2015

Total posts 61

Adelaide emerges from the dark ages..... hated getting red eye flights out of Adelaide with the line snaking everywhere and so many "first time flyers" trying to work out what to do at the last second....

06 Dec 2017

Total posts 110

damn i do not qualify at this stage.oh well next time i fly international get there a lot earlier than normal.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Oct 2013

Total posts 699

I wonder if this will be enforced... The Gold Coast has a similar queue but it's never properly enforced. Occasionally you'll have someone yell at you from the other end of the normal queue "Are you premium" and if you just nod no further questions are asked.

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2432

Not sure if it's always the case, but the last time I flew through the Gold Coast there was somebody manning the entrance to the priority lane checking boarding passes.

Etihad - Etihad Guest

29 Aug 2016

Total posts 2

It will be manned with a staff member at the queue entrance from 5-1030. At all other hours it’s a free for all -lol. There’s also no priority screening, it just gets you to the front faster.

11 Apr 2018

Total posts 12

Perth has similar priority lane for QAN Gold or higher/Business but it's never monitored.. I often wonder what's the point.

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

16 Jun 2017

Total posts 35

Good news. Is it up and running now?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2432

Yes.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

25 Mar 2014

Total posts 219

Good news I 'll try both out Wednesday

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

31 Jan 2013

Total posts 26

Great news! The international security check can be a choke point sometimes. On earlier flights to Asia, sometimes passport security screening is not opened till quite late and there can be quite a long line of people waiting. You get more leisure flyers, who aren't as efficient going through security as FFs or biz travellers. Passport control is fine though, with the automated processing it take no time at all.

11 May 2018

Total posts 11

@Chris, Would you think, Amex Platinum Cardholders will get access to this?thanks

13 Sep 2016

Total posts 174

I know that Chris Chamberlin knows almost everything about cards but wouldn't Amex be the people to ask? Maybe try on Twitter to @AmexAU.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 317

What airline offers First class from Adelaide?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2432

Emirates to Dubai, and China Southern to Guangzhou.

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

19 Mar 2016

Total posts 30

This could be a first for Australia as I know from 1st hand experience that the Melbourne and Sydney lanes whilst designated are not actually priority as they are used as just another lane.

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

11 Mar 2015

Total posts 191

Finally what did take so long to discover this?Next will be a decent international lounge for all those airlines who offer first and business class,but that will take another ten years I presume

Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club

20 Jun 2013

Total posts 63

Good to see...looks like Adelaide is ahead of Perth in this regard!


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