Manchester Airport has weighed in on the popular online theory that turning left at security could land you in a shorter queue. A spokesperson for the airport explained that most passengers are right-handed, meaning they will naturally turn right when faced with a choice of lanes.
They told us: "There might be times when turning left could land you in a shorter queue. If everyone does this, though, it will cancel out the effect and make the left lane busier!"
So while heading left could occasionally give you an advantage, it isn't necessarily a foolproof airport hack.
What Actually Speeds Up Security
Security speed is mostly driven by how quickly people load trays onto the belt, how often bags trigger secondary searches and whether the repack area blocks the belt.
However, there are signs that one queue may be moving faster than the others. Look for lines with active staffing, plenty of trays ready, and a strong belt rhythm.
It could also be a good idea to swerve red flags like families or groups with lots of bags, people repacking at the belt exit or passengers who look confused at the security point.
Official Advice and Wait Times
Manchester Airport also recommends following the advice to help you get through security and onto your flight as quickly as possible.
The spokesperson added: "The best thing to do is just follow the advice of our brilliant customer services colleagues who are always on hand to help passengers as they wait at security."
For those worried about being stuck in a lengthy queue, the airport says the "vast majority" of passengers wait five minutes or less to reach security.
Key Rules to Know Before You Go
Choosing the right lane isn't the only way passengers can save themselves time at the airport. Manchester Airport also has several rules passengers should be aware of before reaching security.
Liquids: Travellers no longer need to remove liquids of 100ml or less or electronics from their bags when going through security. However, liquids over 100ml are still not permitted at Manchester Airport, as it awaits approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to lift the restriction. Passengers should therefore be careful when packing seemingly harmless items such as children's squishy toys and souvenir snow globes, as these could contain more liquid than expected. Liquid medication over 100ml is permitted if it has a clearly displayed prescription label, while breast milk can be carried in containers of up to 2L.
Empty pockets and remove watches: Travellers should also remove items such as belts and watches and empty their pockets before going through the body scanners. The airport recommends putting these items inside hand luggage while waiting in the queue, rather than waiting until reaching the front, as this can help speed up the process.
Power banks and vapes: There are also rules surrounding lithium batteries, which can be found in items including power banks, vapes and some tablet computers. These must be packed in hand luggage rather than hold luggage so they can be accessed easily in the event of an emergency. Passengers can take a maximum of two power banks each, and they must not be recharged during the flight.
Twilight check-ins: For those living close to Manchester Airport, there is another way to save time - using the twilight check-in services offered by some airlines. This allows passengers to drop off their checked luggage the night before their flight, meaning they can head straight to security when they arrive at the airport the following day.
