Although it’s the official start of the holiday, for many people the airport is considered a relatively stressful place.
So, if there was an option to pay a small fee to minimize some of this stress, would you be interested?
Sydney Airport offers a fast track security pass for $20. iStock
That’s what Sydney Airport is hoping for with the announcement of a new Fast Track pass that will cost travelers $20.
Business and First Class passengers already have access to the priority security lane at Sydney International Airport, allowing them to skip the general queue.
But now passengers on any flight departing from T1 will have the opportunity to purchase a Fast Track pass, which will allow them access to the same priority lane.
Mark Zauck, Sydney Airport’s head of commercial group, said the Fast Track option is “part of our wider investment in improving the passenger experience by giving passengers more choice”, according to Executive traveler.
You might be thinking, what if everyone bought a Fast Track pass? Sydney Airport told nine.com.au the service was carefully managing demand during the assessment.
The operating restrictions are in place to ensure the efficient delivery of the service without compromising the wider passenger experience, the spokesperson confirmed.
As testing continues, power will be adjusted as needed.
Queues at airports are often the most stressful part of traveling. Delivered to/Anadolu
Why are airports so stressful?
According to design expert Sam Allen, queues are a big part of what causes stress at airports.
“The psychology of queuing consistently shows that how the queue is structured affects how long it will be,” said Sam, managing director of Noisy&Co.
“Poorly structured queues with no visible endpoint or those that bend into tight spaces cause significantly more stress than well-designed alternatives, even if the actual wait times are identical.”
With years of experience designing large-scale public environments, Sam said there are many other reasons why airports are more complex than they need to be.
Poor signage and long, endless concourses add to the stress at airports. iStock
One of the most immediate sources of stress at the airport is not knowing where to go.
“A good way to find a path is to predict where someone’s eyes will be, what information they need at that particular moment, and remove anything that doesn’t matter,” Sam said.
“At airports, this logic is often completely absent. Signage can be complex and confusing. Passengers arrive at decision points with too much information or not enough information, and this uncertainty creates real anxiety.”
And if you’ve ever found yourself running down a seemingly endless hallway, you’re not alone: the physical layout of many airports adds to the stress.
Endless corridors, long walks between gates and lengthy queuing systems create a feeling of fatigue that sets in long before the flight begins.
“Airports are some of the most complex public spaces in the world, but they don’t have to be chaotic,” Sam said.
“Better zoning, smart lighting, cleaner navigation hierarchies and dedicated decompression spaces will make a measurable difference in how passengers perceive them.”
Or maybe pay a little more to avoid the madness.