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Priority security lines at airports are a valuable service for passengers, saving time and enhancing their overall airport experience. Several factors influence priority access, including membership programs, credit cards, travel class, and flight-specific considerations. For instance, Air Canada offers priority services to Aeroplan Elite Status Members, Star Alliance Gold members, and select credit card holders. Additionally, certain airports provide pre-booking options for security, such as the Express service in some Canadian airports, allowing passengers to reserve a timeslot and skip the queue. Similarly, specific apps help travellers monitor security wait times at airports, enabling them to make informed decisions about their arrival time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines offering priority security services | Air Canada, WestJet, British Airways, United Airlines |
| Airports with priority security services | Edinburgh, Istanbul, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson, Montréal-Trudeau, St. John's, Halifax Stanfield, Ottawa, Orlando, New York City's LaGuardia |
| Types of priority security services | Express, Verified Traveller, NEXUS, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, Clear Plus, B-Fast pass, Clear's Reserve program |
| Eligibility for priority security services | First- or business-class cabin, Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, Aeroplan 50K, Aeroplan 35K, Star Alliance Gold members, Platinum, Gold and Silver Rewards members, military personnel, airport workers, Concierge Agents |
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What You'll Learn
Priority services for premium customers
Air Canada
Air Canada offers priority services to Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, 50K, and 35K customers travelling in Economy Class at most airports. At Edinburgh Airport, Istanbul Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Rome Airport, Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K, 50K, and 35K members travelling in Economy Class may obtain a Priority Security Clearance access card at check-in. Air Canada also provides Concierge Agents to assist premium customers with ticketing, connections, upgrades, baggage handling, and personal needs such as hotel and restaurant bookings.
WestJet
WestJet offers priority services at its Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver hubs. Eligible guests include Platinum, Gold, and Silver Rewards members and their travel companions on the same reservation. Priority services include priority boarding in Zones 1 and 2, allowing more time to stow baggage, and priority baggage tags, ensuring bags are among the first to arrive on the carousel.
Express
Express is a service available at four Canadian airports, allowing passengers to pre-book a timeslot at security for free, saving time waiting in line.
Verified Traveller
The Verified Traveller program offers improved security screening for verified travellers and their co-travellers who are 17 and under or 75 and older. Verified travellers are those who have undergone extensive background checks and carry special photo identification cards, including serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military, Canadian aircrew, and airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards.
TSA PreCheck and Clear Plus
Flying first or business class often provides priority access to expedited security checkpoint lines at some airports. However, even without TSA PreCheck or Clear Plus membership, airline elite status can sometimes provide expedited security access, and this benefit is usually extended to companions travelling with the elite member. Additionally, some airports allow passengers to reserve their spot in the security line in advance without any specific program membership, although this may come at an additional cost.
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Priority security clearance at US airports
Priority security clearance is available at several US airports and can be accessed through various means. Air Canada, for instance, offers priority services to Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, 50K, and 35K customers travelling in Economy Class. Additionally, Star Alliance Gold members can access priority lanes at airports offering Star Gold Track. Similarly, WestJet provides priority services to Platinum, Gold, and Silver Rewards members and their travel companions on the same reservation.
Some US airports also offer priority clearance to first and business-class passengers. For instance, United Airlines' United Polaris business class, United First, United Business, and United Premium Plus customers may be eligible for priority security access. British Airways offers similar benefits to business-class passengers at London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Another way to obtain priority security clearance is through membership programs. For example, Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that offers expedited clearance to pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Additionally, some US airports allow passengers to reserve their spot in the security line in advance, either through specific programs or by purchasing priority access. At New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), passengers can pay $15 or $20 for a B-Fast pass, providing access to a shorter security line. Meanwhile, Orlando International Airport (MCO) offers a free reservation option through Clear's Reserve program, which does not require membership.
Lastly, certain mobile applications, such as JetHub and MyTSA, help travellers monitor security wait times at airports. These apps enable users to check the status of security lines several hours before their scheduled departure and make informed decisions about their arrival time at the airport.
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Priority services for rewards members
Priority Pass offers rewards members access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities and 145 countries worldwide. Members can enjoy complimentary drinks, refreshments, and pre-flight bites, as well as free Wi-Fi and charging points in most lounges. The Priority Pass app provides digital membership cards, airport maps, and indoor navigation to enhance your airport experience.
In addition to lounge access, Priority Pass offers a range of exclusive advantages and airport experiences, such as dining, gaming, and spa treatments. Members can also pre-book their space in select lounges for a small fee to ensure availability during peak times.
Delta Air Lines offers Sky Priority, a suite of services that includes expedited security lines during peak times in select airports. Sky Priority is available to Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members, as well as eligible members of select airline partner frequent flyer programs. These priority security lines are offered in various cities, including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bangkok, Barcelona, Boston, and Brussels, among others.
Priority Pass and Delta Air Lines' Sky Priority provide rewards members with priority services, expedited security, and exclusive benefits to enhance their airport experience and make their journey more comfortable and efficient.
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Express security in Canadian airports
Several Canadian airports offer express online reservation programs or virtual queuing to help travellers speed through security screening. The service is free to use and can be reserved in just a few seconds. It is available in the following airports:
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Calgary airport offers YYC Express, a reservation program for expedited access to security screening via a dedicated queue. It is available for domestic, transborder, and international departures. For domestic flights, passengers must enter through Security D or Security E and give themselves time to reach the A or B gates.
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Edmonton airport offers YEG Express, a reservation program for access to Central Security screening. It is available for domestic and international departures but not for transborder departures.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Halifax airport offers YHZ Express, which is available for domestic and international departures. It is not currently available for transborder departures.
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Montreal airport offers YUL Express, which is available for domestic, transborder, and international departures.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport offers YVR Express, which allows travellers to schedule a specific time to enter security screening and avoid waiting in line. It is available for US departures.
In addition to the above, Air Canada offers priority services to simplify and enhance the airport experience for its premium customers. This includes expedited access to security screening via an exclusive access lane.
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Verified Traveller security lines
The Verified Traveller program offers eligible passengers an expedited airport security screening experience at select Canadian airports. Eligible travellers include those with a NEXUS card, Global Entry members, serving Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military members, Canadian aircrew and airport workers with RAICs, international aircrew in uniform with valid airline ID, RCMP officers, Canadian police officers with proper identification, and their co-travellers.
At major Canadian airports, passengers who are eligible for the Verified Traveller program will have access to a separate security lane, and depending on their destination, they may leave some items in their carry-on bags, such as liquids, electronics, and non-metal items. They can also keep their shoes, light jackets, and headwear on. At smaller airports, Verified Travellers will receive front-of-the-line access at security checkpoints.
The Verified Traveller program is available at the following airports for domestic and international flights: Vancouver International Airport, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, and Toronto Pearson International Airport. For transborder flights, the program is available at Toronto Pearson International Airport - T1 transborder and T3 transborder.
The hours of operation for Verified Traveller lanes may vary, and not all security checkpoints at these airports may have the necessary specialized equipment. It is recommended to check the Verified Traveller website for up-to-date information on participating airports and operating hours.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to skip the security line at Vancouver International Airport. One way is to sign up for the Verified Traveller program, which allows travellers who have undergone extensive background checks and carry special photo identification cards to access priority security lines. Another way is to use the NEXUS program, which provides eligible travellers with faster customs and immigration processing when crossing the border between Canada and the US. Additionally, some airlines such as Air Canada offer priority security clearance to premium customers, including Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, 50K, and 35K members travelling in Economy Class.
Yes, several other airports in Canada offer priority security lines. This includes Toronto Pearson International Airport, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Ottawa International Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, and St. John's International Airport. These airports offer dedicated Verified Traveller services and front-of-the-line access at specific terminals and time slots. Additionally, WestJet offers priority services at its Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver hubs, providing special assistance to eligible guests such as Platinum, Gold, and Silver Rewards members.
Many airports provide information about their security wait times and priority services on their official websites. Additionally, there are apps such as JetHub and MyTSA that allow you to monitor security wait times at various airports and make informed decisions about your arrival time. By checking these sources, you can determine if an airport offers priority security lines and how to access them.
