On this page (6 sections)
Overview
Every Heathrow terminal has a single security screening hall split into two halves: the standard lane and the Fast Track lane. The screening itself is identical, including the same 100ml liquid rule and hand luggage limits. Fast Track is simply a shorter queue, with its own X-ray machines and metal detectors, reached by a separate entrance off the main escalator into security. It sits between check-in and the gate, so you still need to check in and drop any hold bags first.
The size of the time saving depends entirely on how busy standard security is. At 04:00 on a quiet Tuesday it saves nothing because both lanes are empty. Between 06:00 and 09:00 on a busy weekday it saves 20 to 30 minutes, longer at the busier terminals T3 and T5. See live security wait times for what the queue looks like right now.
Who already has it
Many travellers are entitled to Fast Track without buying it separately. Before paying, check whether your ticket, frequent-flyer status, or lounge package already includes it.
| Source | Included with | At which terminals |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Club Europe, Club World, First, Business UK | Any terminal BA departs from (mainly T5, plus codeshares in T3) |
| BA Executive Club | Silver, Gold (plus one guest) | Any terminal BA departs from |
| Virgin Atlantic | Upper Class, Premium | T3 |
| Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian (and other Star Alliance from T2) | Business, First | T2 |
| Star Alliance Gold | Status holders only | T2 on Star Alliance departures |
| oneworld Sapphire and Emerald | Status holders only | At the departing oneworld carrier's terminal (T3 or T5) |
| SkyTeam Elite Plus | Status holders only | T4 on SkyTeam departures |
| Lounge passes | Plaza Premium, Aspire, No1 Lounges, some BA Galleries packages | By package |
How to buy
Fast Track is sold by Heathrow directly through the airport website. Prices start at £12.99pp booked in advance, with the same booking flow available up to one hour before arrival on the day. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult, though they still need a Fast Track ticket added to the booking.
Fast Track by terminal
The Fast Track lane sits in the same screening hall as the standard lane at every terminal, but the entrance is signed separately. A short summary by terminal:
| Terminal | Where it starts | Walk to lane | Typical saving, peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2 Queen's Terminal | Top of the security escalator | 1 min | 22 min |
| T3 | To the right at security entrance | 1 min | 28 min |
| T4 | Left of security entrance | 1 min | 15 min |
| T5 | Beneath the departure boards | 2 min | 25 min |
Peak savings are highest at T3 and T5, where the standard morning queue is longest. T4 is the least crowded terminal so the saving is the smallest.
Is it worth it?
For peak departures (06:00 to 09:00 weekdays and Friday evening) Fast Track is usually worth it: typical saving 20 to 30 minutes for a £12.99 outlay. For off-peak departures (afternoons and overnight) the standard queue is usually under 10 minutes and Fast Track saves almost nothing.
A rough rule: check the live wait times an hour before leaving for the airport. If the standard lane is showing over 25 minutes at your terminal, buy Fast Track. Under 15 minutes, do not bother.
At £12.99 a person, Fast Track pays back when the standard queue would cost over 40 minutes at a time you value at £20 an hour. That is most weekday mornings at T3 and T5; off-peak the maths rarely works.
Alternatives
Three other ways to skip the standard queue, often cheaper than buying Fast Track separately.
- Lounge access with Fast Track: several lounge packages, including some Plaza Premium, Aspire, No1 Lounges, and BA Galleries tiers, include Fast Track. Sometimes cheaper than buying both separately.
- Premium ticket: business and first fares on most airlines come with Fast Track at the matching terminal. Always check the booking before paying extra.
- Frequent flyer status: BA Executive Club Silver and Gold (plus one guest), Virgin Flying Club Gold, Star Alliance Gold, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald, and SkyTeam Elite Plus all include Fast Track at their respective terminals.
For the other pre-security topics, see the full Heathrow airport services overview.