Airport fast track: is it worth paying more?

We asked nearly 4,000 passengers how long they waited at airport security; most told us it was less than 20 minutes, making it pointless to pay extra for fast track security. But at some airports waits were longer. 

Fast-track security promises passengers a stress-free experience so they have more time to relax, eat and shop. It operates on our worry that the wait at airport security will be long, and suggests we pay to skip to the front of the queue.

But you shouldn't worry, because you won't wait long at most airports. Our survey of passengers found the average wait time at Gatwick was just 15.5 minutes, Edinburgh was 16 minutes and even Heathrow (T2) just 17 minutes. According to the airports' own data, waits were even shorter. Heathrow said in early August: 'We’re in the thick of the summer peak and consistently seeing almost all passengers through security in less than five minutes.'

Not only is fast track usually not worth the money, but when we looked at the terms and conditions of using the lane many airports don't even guarantee that fast track queues will be quicker. 

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Should I book airport security fast track?

Probably not. At most airports passengers told us they waited less than 20 minutes on average, so it's only worth paying for fast track if you aren't willing to wait that long. Or, perhaps if you are travelling from Birmingham or Manchester, where queues were longer on average. 

Even the airports themselves don't suggest fast track is worth paying for. In addition to asking passengers how long they waited, we also asked the airports for queue data. Each one told us wait times were even shorter than our data shows.

Manchester, the worst place for queues according to our annual survey of the best airports, told us that in July 2023, '96% of passengers got through security in under 15 minutes.' If that's too slow for you, you'd need to pay them £6 per person - including babes in arms - to get through quicker.

When might it be worth paying for fast track?

You’re most likely to feel the benefit of fast-track security when travelling at peak times of the day, during the holidays, at the most over-crowded airports. This is even more likely to be the case if there is strike action or other delays.

Early morning, before 9am, is usually the busiest time. We asked the UK's biggest airports when their queues are longest and the five that gave us an answer all said the worst are for the first flights of the day - between 4am and 9am. The quietest times are typically in the afternoons and evening. 

However, they also claimed that even then passengers rarely queue for more than 15 minutes.

Unfortunately, when you most need fast track it might not be available. Last year some of the airports that were affected by disruption, such as Birmingham and Manchester, cancelled their fast track schemes to concentrate on getting all passengers through on time.

Airport fast track security costs compared 

We’ve researched schemes at 11 of the UK's largest airports. 

Fast track: why you should read the small print 

There's one reason for booking fast track security - to get through faster - but some airports admit that can't guaranteed. There are other caveats to watch out for before you part with your money.

• Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted airports all say they can’t guarantee that the fast track lane will be quicker than the standard lanes.
• No freebies for kids – Some airports require all passengers, even babies and infants, to buy a fast track ticket, so a family of four could pay £32 to bypass the queues.
• No buggies – If you’re travelling with young children, you might be tempted to pay extra for fast track. But be warned that some schemes, such as those at East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted, won’t let you through with pushchairs, prams or car seats.
• Advance bookings – While Gatwick and Glasgow allow only advance bookings, you can buy fast track tickets in the terminal at most other airports, although this may be more expensive. At East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted, the turn-up price is the same, so you could wait to see how long the queues are before shelling out. However,  you do have to book at least an hour before your flight departs.