Parents travelling with children can avoid paying for expensive express lane passes at several UK airports by using dedicated family security lanes, a little-known perk that can save families up to £12 per person.
Family Lanes Available at Major UK Airports
Manchester Airport offers a family and assisted travel lane, advising against booking FastTrack for those with young children. The airport states: "The express lane is unsuitable for passengers requiring Assisted Travel, those travelling with pushchairs and car seats, or infants under three years old. You will be automatically directed to the assistance lane at security, so you do not need to book FastTrack or TimeSlot."
London-Heathrow and Gatwick also provide family lanes for groups of up to 12 people. Other airports may not explicitly advertise family lanes but often wave families to the front of the queue, especially those with babies or toddlers.
Cost Savings and Policies
Express lane fees typically range from £4 to £12 per person, with discounts for advance booking. For a family of four or five, the cost can quickly add up. Cardiff Airport does not have dedicated family lanes but recently allowed children over 120cm to use passport eGates. Birmingham Airport charges £7 per person for its express lane but offers free access for children aged four and under when accompanied by a paying adult.
Practical Tips for Parents
Parents should check their departure airport's official website or social media for specific policies before travelling. In hand luggage, milk for the child's journey can exceed 100ml and will be scanned separately. Wet wipes are not classified as liquids. Pushchairs must be folded and placed through the scanner; many parents opt for a cheap, easy-to-fold stroller instead of a full travel system.
