Sydney Airport now selling Fast track security

simong said:
So they have now introduced a paid for fast track..


Does that mean we will get it back for status? Probably means less likely sadly..
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At $20 i doubt it’s worth it!

I’ve only had one encounter with a long queue at SYD departures in the last year… started outside with entrance with the snake queue. Was though in about 15 mins.
 
simong said:
So they have now introduced a paid for fast track..


Does that mean we will get it back for status? Probably means less likely sadly..
Click to expand...
Possibly, I suspect they’re just using the existing Fast Track lanes. Mind you, they’re sometimes closed during quiet times.
 
simong said:
Does that mean we will get it back for status? Probably means less likely sadly..
Click to expand...

Yeah, conspicuously absent in the FAQ and promo info, and I don't see QF saying anything about it, so safe to say they won't be coughing up any cash here.

Is there any other major airline in the world that doesn't offer its highest status-holding pax access to priority screening at its key home airports, especially where such facilities do exist?
 
A new product from SYD released today. Paid fast track security.

It appears to be $20 per person and only at the international terminal.


Edit : seen it’s been mentioned here

S

Thread 'Sydney Airport now selling Fast track security'

So they have now introduced a paid for fast track..


Does that mean we will get it back for status? Probably means less likely sadly..
 
I guess it's nice to have the option, but my experience has been that the lines at Sydney international security aren't all that bad really and usually pretty brisk.
 
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FlyingKangaroo said:
Yeah, conspicuously absent in the FAQ and promo info, and I don't see QF saying anything about it, so safe to say they won't be coughing up any cash here.

Is there any other major airline in the world that doesn't offer its highest status-holding pax access to priority screening at its key home airports, especially where such facilities do exist?
Click to expand...
Great question. I would like to know the same :)
 
FlyingKangaroo said:
Yeah, conspicuously absent in the FAQ and promo info, and I don't see QF saying anything about it, so safe to say they won't be coughing up any cash here.

Is there any other major airline in the world that doesn't offer its highest status-holding pax access to priority screening at its key home airports, especially where such facilities do exist?
Click to expand...
It’s not a QF thing.

SYD airport is providing “Fast Track” to any First and Business class PAX across, AFAIK all airlines but zero status access regardless of QF, OW, *A, ST etc.

I always make a point of asking at the QF F checkin if “Fast track” is returning and invariably told “we’re waiting for the airport to tell us”.

Hopefully this ”pay to play” option opens the door to not just QF, but other OW airlines, and if they must *A and ST. I wouldn’t hold my breath for VA.
 
SYD said:
It’s not a QF thing.

SYD airport is providing “Fast Track” to any First and Business class PAX across, AFAIK all airlines but zero status access regardless of QF, OW, *A, ST etc.

I always make a point of asking at the QF F checkin if “Fast track” is returning and invariably told “we’re waiting for the airport to tell us”.

Hopefully this ”pay to play” option opens the door to not just QF, but other OW airlines, and if they must *A and ST. I wouldn’t hold my breath for VA.
Click to expand...

I imagine it’s the case in most airports that it’s the airport and not the airlines running the security screening. Perhaps SYD airport isn’t offering airlines the option to pay for status-holders to access Fast Track, in which case one can’t fault the airline.

Given it’s a way to generate revenue, I’d be surprised if the airport weren’t keen to get a steady flow of airline-paid pax through this channel by selling them passes directly, and I still find it odd that it wasn’t addressed from the outset. Presumably the airport and airlines would have been having these discussions before launching the general offer to the public. If they weren’t, that’s a rather silly missed opportunity when launching this.

Either way we’ll find out soon enough.
 
Still confused if WP can access these lanes. Nothing worse than going all the way in and getting turned around :D

So far I am reading, if it is NOT printed on your boarding pass then you can't access these lanes right?
 
XavierP said:
Still confused if WP can access these lanes. Nothing worse than going all the way in and getting turned around :D

So far I am reading, if it is NOT printed on your boarding pass then you can't access these lanes right?
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I think that’s right.

First, business or fast track. The latter will either be paid by the customer, or the airline.

If you pay through the airport’s website I don’t see how that would make its way onto your boarding pass. But likely you’ll have some sort of digital receipt on your phone?
 
I still think airlines (especially QF given its the largest home port) should pony up for this, but reading more about this and realising that it only fast-tracks you through security and then spits you out into the same queues for the kiosks as everyone else makes me not really care so much.

I fly internationally 6-10+ times a year out of SYD and thanks to the new screening machines, I haven't waited more than 5-8 minutes at any point in the last 18 months, even in the morning before the banks to Asia and North America. I've also learned it's often faster to just go through the normal queue even when flying in J if checking in further along towards the J/K area rather than backtrack all the way to the Fast Track entrance.

The bottleneck - when there is one - is at the immigration kiosks, yet this Fast Track doesn't cover them.

What is far more needed imo is the return of a fast-track on arrival for both kiosks and customs.
 
MEL_Traveller said:
But likely you’ll have some sort of digital receipt on your phone?
Click to expand...
Apparently a QR code for Fast track - booking via sydneyairport.com.au/fasttrack

Perhaps the airport and the airlines can come up with a similar solution for status pax

But really I dont see that it is worth it. The number of times Ive used the express lane, I have not noticed a difference.
No discount for kids, but there is already a fasttrack of sorts for families.

Monetise everything, my superfund appreciates it.

(sydairport IG)

Screen Shot 2026-07-16 at 2.32.30 pm.png
 

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