Sydney Airport’s Priority Lane could reopen to frequent flyers

The fast-track priority lane lets you spend less time standing in line and more time relaxing in the airport lounge.

By David Flynn, March 17 2023
Sydney Airport’s Priority Lane could reopen to frequent flyers

Sydney Airport’s Priority Lane – formerly branded as Express Path – could once again admit top-tier frequent flyers, based on the airport’s ongoing discussions with airlines.

The Priority Lane was introduced after international travel resumed following the ‘pandemic pause’, and unlike the Express Path is restricted to first and business class passengers.

Travellers must show their printed or digital boarding pass to enter the lane, which skips the general departures queue to provides a time-saving shortcut to the immigration and security checkpoints.

Unlike the old Express Path, frequent flyers don't have access to the Priority Lane.
Unlike the old Express Path, frequent flyers don't have access to the Priority Lane.

That stands in stark contrast to those shiny pre-Covid days, when elite frequent flyers – typically those with Platinum or equivalent status, depending on the airline’s loyalty program – could pick up an Express Path-branded paper slip at the checkin counter and make a beeline for this fast-track lane.

During peak travel times, those slips were worth more than their weight in gold – and most frequent flyers kept a few spares stashed away ‘just in case’.

The old Express Path saved time and headaches for frequent flyers.
The old Express Path saved time and headaches for frequent flyers.

But those frequent flyers might rejoin the fast lane. Executive Traveller understands that Sydney Airport is currently consulting with airlines about expanding access beyond pointy-end passengers, on the proviso of course that each airlines pays their share.

Although Executive Traveller has heard reports of some high-ranking frequent flyers in premium economy or economy having their boarding pass endorsed for Priority Lane access, all international airlines we approached for comment maintained that only passengers travelling in first class or business class were eligible to use the Priority Lane.

The Priority Lane opens into its own branch of passport gates and security scanners.
The Priority Lane opens into its own branch of passport gates and security scanners.

Those booked in premium economy or economy class still don’t make the cut, regardless of how lofty their status is – but as soon as that changes, we’ll share the good news here.

04 Sep 2019

Total posts 68

fwiw I flew economy with a star alliance airline with star alliance gold membership in december-22 and got fast track on my boarding pass after I requested it 

20 Oct 2015

Total posts 245

Same as me RedWood and maybe even same airline. Am SQ KrisFlyer Gold, did a quick economy trip from Sydney to Singapore because economy is fine for those daytime flights to Asia, was a bit of a busy time at SYD so they gave me Priority Lane access on my boarding pass, for which I was very thankful!

04 Sep 2019

Total posts 68

Mine was econony with thai airways flying with krisflyer gold 

Another 'data point', I flew out of Sydney with CX in economy last month, and was told that due to my Diamond status I could use the Priority Lane. They even printed a special logo for this on my boarding pass although that logo was actually the old Express Path one, but the Priority Lane staff didn't care. Obviously some airlines are bending the rules a little to favour and reward high tier frequent flyers, which is as it should be.

25 Oct 2022

Total posts 2

Flew Air Canada SYD - YVR a few weeks ago (early March, 2023). Booked in Premium Economy (was waitlisted for Business which cleared at the gate) as an a E50K (Star gold) I had 'Prio. Security' printed on my boarding pass and was specifically directed to use the Priority Lane by the check-in agent. Didn't encounter any issues going through the Priority Lane and was quite pleased (and somewhat surprised) it all worked out.

21 Dec 2012

Total posts 44

those all seem to be 'first party' programs getting the golden ticket - does anyone have examples of getting the priority lane where their status wasn't in the same program as the airline they were flying on? e.g. star gold via United 1k flying on SQ, or Qatar Platinum (OW emerald) flying on QF

04 Sep 2019

Total posts 68

yes SQ Gold flying Thai Air 

09 Apr 2017

Total posts 12

Making a calendar note now! If you don't ask, you can't get...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

24 Sep 2018

Total posts 2

Priority Lane.

That special little gate you go through before you join the rest of the travellers for Security Check.

Thanks for nothing.

Security is subcontracted by the Airport, not run by the Airline. Hence, they couldnt care less.


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