SYD T1 chaos

[elanshin]

They should move the sign outside and beside the main road like LAX.

It is outside just before the car park as you exit. It even gets decorated and themed like there were dragons near CNY.

The problem is that the one inside is synonymous now with leaving sydney. Melbourne kind of has the same thing but the departures there isn't as busy most of the time.b

 

[LionKing]

Anyone had can share a recent experience travelling from SYD T1? Has the queue problem been sorted?

I am flying Business and I am worried queuing up for an hour cuts my time for the shower and buffet before flight.

 

[SYD]

Anyone had can share a recent experience travelling from SYD T1? Has the queue problem been sorted?

I am flying Business and I am worried queuing up for an hour cuts my time for the shower and buffet before flight.

No significant lines when I flew out a few weeks ago.

What time of day are you leaving? But either way, there’s a J line for security.

 

[LionKing]

No significant lines when I flew out a few weeks ago.

What time of day are you leaving? But either way, there’s a J line for security.

I am also worried about long queues at check in. Flying this weekend at midday on Qantas International. Am Platinum.
Already seen footage from 9News about long queues at T2 and T3 today.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

And updates for T1?

 

[elanshin]

Anyone had can share a recent experience travelling from SYD T1? Has the queue problem been sorted?

I am flying Business and I am worried queuing up for an hour cuts my time for the shower and buffet before flight.

There's rarely been queue problems at T1. Its realistically only happens when something actually breaks (rare) or first couple of days of school holidays.

You have access to QF F check in which never takes very long to finish - it needs both check in staff dealing with a serious headache to hold it up and they will probably direct you over to one of the business counters next to the First.

J travellers can skip all the way to the front of security as well - there will still be a small wait with other J passengers and air crews, but for the most part you'll be through in 10mins even if there's a line out the door for economy.

I wouldn't worry about getting stuck at SYD at all.

Also I've never seen T3 that busy at all at Qantas (and despite what they say in the news report, they were standing at T2). T2 domestic - yes but the bag drop and other system are long overdue for upgrades.

 

[SYD]

I am also worried about long queues at check in. Flying this weekend at midday on Qantas International. Am Platinum.
Already seen footage from 9News about long queues at T2 and T3 today.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

And updates for T1?

Apparently today is one of the busiest “domestic” travel days of the year - no idea why? Schools hols haven’t started AFAIK.

But T1 ought to be fine when you’re flying. Do OLCI beforehand - so you’re just doing a bag drop at the First checkin area. There’s rarely a line there.

 

[LionKing]

Apparently today is one of the busiest “domestic” travel days of the year - no idea why? Schools hols haven’t started AFAIK.

But T1 ought to be fine when you’re flying. Do OLCI beforehand - so you’re just doing a bag drop at the First checkin area. There’s rarely a line there.

It has started for Private Schools last week and today.

 

[LionKing]

Apparently today is one of the busiest “domestic” travel days of the year - no idea why? Schools hols haven’t started AFAIK.

But T1 ought to be fine when you’re flying. Do OLCI beforehand - so you’re just doing a bag drop at the First checkin area. There’s rarely a line there.

Thanks. The only concern is I might have a troubled booking - direct to Changi then reward to KUL.
My partner has 1 booking, mine is split into 2 bookings. Not sure how the baggage can be checked thru.

 

[AIRwin]

Anyone had can share a recent experience travelling from SYD T1? Has the queue problem been sorted?

I am flying Business and I am worried queuing up for an hour cuts my time for the shower and buffet before flight.

At top of the SYD website is a real time display of the security wait times at each of the terminals

Post in thread 'Sydney T1 to get new security scanners'

Yesterday at 7:22 PM

Update this week:

Sydney Airport prepares for festive rush of international travellers

### Tuesday 9 December 2025 - Sydney Airport is forecasting 5.84 million passengers during the Christmas and New Year period - Busiest Christmas season for international travel ever with 2.7 million international passengers and 3.14 million domestic

www.sydneyairport.com

At T1 International, all 15 new security screening lanes are now complete, delivering a faster and more consistent screening experience. The upgraded lanes use the latest security technology and are designed to enhance safety and keep passengers moving, with an aim to get most travellers through screening in under 10 minutes.

• AIRwin

• 

 

[SYD]

At top of the SYD website is a real time display of the security wait times at each of the terminals

Post in thread 'Sydney T1 to get new security scanners'

Yesterday at 7:22 PM

Update this week:

Sydney Airport prepares for festive rush of international travellers

### Tuesday 9 December 2025 - Sydney Airport is forecasting 5.84 million passengers during the Christmas and New Year period - Busiest Christmas season for international travel ever with 2.7 million international passengers and 3.14 million domestic

www.sydneyairport.com

At T1 International, all 15 new security screening lanes are now complete, delivering a faster and more consistent screening experience. The upgraded lanes use the latest security technology and are designed to enhance safety and keep passengers moving, with an aim to get most travellers through screening in under 10 minutes.

• AIRwin

• 

Which won’t be accurate for J PAX (expect a quicker run through).

Thanks. The only concern is I might have a troubled booking - direct to Changi then reward to KUL.
My partner has 1 booking, mine is split into 2 bookings. Not sure how the baggage can be checked thru.

You’re supposed to be able to check through if one of your flights is a QF CR. But it might come down to the staff on the day at the F checkin and if they know how. Check with the supervisor if you’re told “it’s not possible”.

As a backup, you probably should do the Singapore online arrival thingy. It’s then pretty simple to go through the eGates, collect bag and recheck - obviously a PITA but one of the better airports to have to do it.

You could also try at the transfer desk in SIN to see if they can do it. I’ve never tried but others here have had success getting bags rechecked. Presumably someone retrieves your bag and retags it to your onward destination.

 

[AIRwin]

Which won’t be accurate for J PAX (expect a quicker run through).

Worst case?

 

[Rangalad]

Which won’t be accurate for J PAX (expect a quicker run through).

You’re supposed to be able to check through if one of your flights is a QF CR. But it might come down to the staff on the day at the F checkin and if they know how. Check with the supervisor if you’re told “it’s not possible”.

As a backup, you probably should do the Singapore online arrival thingy. It’s then pretty simple to go through the eGates, collect bag and recheck - obviously a PITA but one of the better airports to have to do it.

You could also try at the transfer desk in SIN to see if they can do it. I’ve never tried but others here have had success getting bags rechecked. Presumably so done retrieves your bag and retags it to your onward destination.

SIN transfer desk has retagged my bags and checked in for my onward flights.
This was after SIN immigration advised me not to enter, and referred me to the transfer desks.
(pre covid)