Adelaide Airport (finally) gets a priority security screening lane
By Chris C., May 31 2018
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 is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Oct 2013
Total posts 111
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 2424
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
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
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 319
What airline offers First class from Adelaide?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
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 190
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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