Sydney Airport re-opens T1 Express Path lane
Spend less time in line and more time in the lounge as Sydney Airport re-opens its international departures Express Path.

Premium travellers and top-tier frequent flyers can once again skip the queue when jetting out of Sydney Airport’s T1 international terminal, with this week's re-opening of the Express Path departures lane.
That fast track for outbound flyers was shuttered since May due to construction work around the Express Path area, and affected both the passport control and security screening lanes.
As a result, international travellers who would usually qualify for Express Path access – those in first class, business class and holding the highest levels of frequent flyer status – have faced extended wait times and extensive queues when heading out of Sydney, with a knock-on impact to all other travellers. This has been especially noticeable during the early morning, mid-morning and early afternoon peak periods.
The good news is that the Express Path at T1 is now open - so you can spend less time in line and more time in the lounge.
PREVIOUS | Sydney Airport has temporarily closed the Express Path departures lane at its T1 international terminal, in a move which will see first class and business class passengers as well as top-tier frequent flyers joining the same interminably lengthy lines as every other traveller.
Construction work around the Express Path area, located at the rear of the Qantas premium checkin area, will see the fast track facility shuttered until at least the end of August.
The closure affects the Express Path channels both at passport control and security screening.
The inbound Express Path channels for passengers arriving at Sydney Airport's international terminal is not affected.
Airlines including Qantas have begun advising passengers to allow additional time for the airport formalities, as Sydney Airport has not made any alternative arrangements for fast-tracked departures.
Travellers who would usually qualify for Express Path access are advised to arrive at T1 well ahead of their usual schedule.
Additional reporting by Chris Chamberlin.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1392
That won't be popular.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 266
That's ridiculous that no alternative solutions were made.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 21
Such a typical arrogant Australia thing to not think of or create a short term alternative. Absolutely unacceptable. It’s a part of the benefits you buy into when purchasing Business or First, or if you’ve earned them through status. And to just remove them cos of building something new without an alternative is not on.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 163
Anyone know if the APEC line is a viable option for departures?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 May 2019
Total posts 1
APEC line is combined with the crew line at Sydney. It’s the opposite end to the express path, so shouldn’t be affected. It is however only open for the morning peak departures.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
21 Mar 2012
Total posts 6
Using the APEC line outbound recently, the customs official gave me lip about how the card means nothing to them when in Australia and departing ...W.T.H!
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 620
It’s quite true. Same for Aussies with official or diplomatic passports too. Exiting or entering aus you are meant to use the normal Aussie lines.
20 Sep 2012
Total posts 75
The express path inbound is never open from my experience. Most recent example being Sunday night.
01 Sep 2018
Total posts 29
That's a shame. In my experience, you often don't even need a pass to access the line. You just say "Express" in a cheerful voice as you walk past the staffer.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 13
In my experience, it's never been that way. The official at the queue makes sure that she/he collects the express path card before letting us through.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
16 Jul 2018
Total posts 23
Rats! I have a flight from Brisbane landing in Sydney at 8:05am and then on a flight out to Hong Kong at 10am. Was hoping the express lane would give me some time in The House. Sounds like I’ll be lucky just to board my connecting flight on time!
Etihad - Etihad Guest
02 May 2019
Total posts 2
The Express path at arrivals is useless - just look for the shortest line...
With Arrivals, I am surprised they can't sort express card holders (or now they often just look at boarding pass) to dedicated lines. First world problems I guess...
Etihad - Etihad Guest
02 May 2019
Total posts 2
I mean 'Departures' for the second sentence...
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 97
Suspect this won't be a popular comment, but if it's a problem then its for the airlines rather than the airport. You either need / want to fly to / from Sydney or you don't. I can't imagine anyone has ever chosen to fly there based on the availability or otherwise of a priority lane. Maybe slightly different in cities where you have multiple airport choices (London, New York as two examples). Would be interested to know who actually pays for the priority line, is it the airlines? I can't imagine that ABF / Airport Authorities have any obligation to provide such a facility.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 470
Yes, the airlines pay a $ cost per express passenger for the supposedly faster clearance. It has not always been there; I well recall in the 1990s that SYD did not have an Express Path for international departure immigration.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2013
Total posts 138
They hadn’t informed MEL this morning. Still handing out cards for transiting passengers. Bit of a memento..
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
02 Jul 2018
Total posts 42
What a shame. Infrastructure of Kingsford-Smith is already third-world, temporarily closing down Express Path makes it worse.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 181
I have always wondered were the bloody Express Path was ... enter from the higher letter check-in counters, and you don't get see any express path, with airport staff seeming to always direct you to the regular queue.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
05 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
That is an absolute disgrace. Business and first pay thousands of dollars more than economy and the ability to arrive later and skip those queues is part of the price - particularly for time strapped business flyers. Will the airlines be discounting our ticket prices (subsidised by the airport) for this major inconvenience?
QF
01 Jul 2016
Total posts 6
You pay those exorbitant fares to the airline for their products and services and a seat on their aircraft.
05 Jan 2018
Total posts 47
my ticket does pay for the rent of the lounges and what not. would think its symbiotic/inter-related.
QF
01 Jul 2016
Total posts 6
No I don't think it is. QF nor any other airline, least of all SYD Airport can control the border. There are extensive renovations underway and access to the border is limited.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
05 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
PS express path arrivals is used after immigration at the far left hand side of the terminal. Always works for me.
20 Sep 2012
Total posts 75
That’s the express customs. That’s hardly ever open either.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Feb 2019
Total posts 4
Shame about the temp closure of the Express Path... Anyone know if QF will still giving out Express Cards for pax to burn to skip the potential queues at security check after (departure) immigration?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
As the article indicates, it appears there won’t be an Express Path at security either. That said, of late I’ve found that simply showing my business class boarding pass rather than handing over an Express Path card is sufficient to get to the security fast-track. I don’t expect there will be any queue-jumping just because someone would otherwise have had Express Path access. Running late for their flight, yes; being a premium passenger, maybe not. Once we have a better idea of the new temporary arrangements we’ll share them here.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2013
Total posts 138
They’re not doing it there either at the moment.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
12 Nov 2017
Total posts 19
Yeah gods this is appalling, the queues on the last flight where so long...
06 Oct 2018
Total posts 12
Let’s hope the new Express Path lane will be more functional than the one already closed.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
My hope is that the new Express Path will feed directly into its own set of eGates instead of simply channeling premium passengers into the same block of gates as everyone else. Express Path users tend to be frequent flyers and very used to these gates - many other passengers are not, and they understandably slow things down due to their uncertainty, hesitation and mistakes.
30 Nov 2016
Total posts 19
Let's hope that they'll actually have an express path security too, rather than a separate lane that then just funnels behind every other man and dog that they've dispersed along all available security checks
Etihad - Etihad Guest
26 Apr 2019
Total posts 4
Cripes. Flying out of Sydney on 15 May with a shortened connection from Canberra. Was counting on the Express Path to ease the process. Gobsmacking the Sydney can't have a temporary facility. This simply confirms its place as one of the worlds truly dreadful airports.
16 Nov 2012
Total posts 4
Who is first in line for the Darwin Award. Dumb decision without a temporary facility.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 222
First world problem. Getting through all of that security business is not really that much of a chore compared to LHR at times and some US ports
23 Feb 2017
Total posts 15
Thanks for the heads-up, I'll make sure I avoid SYD for the duration. I'm trying CNS for a change for my next international departure. Any views?
27 Nov 2016
Total posts 20
Sydney airport has become completely ridiculous. There never seems to be any point in the incoming express path and very little on the outgoing. Wherever possible I try to make my international connections via Melbourne from Canberra predominantly because QF flies so few jets into Sydney and it is so much easier to walk from domestic to international in Melbourne. The whole experience is superior. I have 3 international flights in the next 6 weeks and fortunately 2 of them have been able to be routed via Melbourne.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 19
Typical Sydney Airport don't care, like it or lump it policy
03 May 2013
Total posts 664
Where is Qantas and the other airlines advocating for premium pax. Sydney airport is a piece meal confusing building at best. Not putting in place alternative arrangements is a perfect example of Sydney Airports Corporation incompetence.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 408
so its not my imagination, that so-called priority line gets very blurred with non fast track pax. those attendants that man the lines are the ones to blame, they just keep ushering anyone into the supposed priority queues.
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
So they close the express lane during the bloody peak season which starts end of may! Which stupid airport official decided on that! If they get of their arses and stop sitting in their Ivory tower..they will see what really happens in the real world!.same applies for customs too!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 74
Crap decision by Sydney Airport. It can make a difference having an Express Path depending on the day. Like most travellers you want to get through Immigration and security screening ASAP, one of the perks of flying at the pointy end. I hope they do what they need to do quickly and get the Express Path access back on track.
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
You can send your feedback direct to Sydney airport...see below..
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
For all general enquiries and feedback, please complete the contact form below or call 133 SYD (133 793) or +61 2 9667 6111 outside Australia
We aim to provide all customers and visitors to our terminals with a positive travel experience, and welcome feedback about our service and products.
Customer feedbackQantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 21
I want to be able to clear customs in melbourne WITH AN EXPRESS CARD for my connecting QF flight to Jakarta (via Sydney). That should be Qantas’ alternative for connecting passengers who have tight connections
08 Aug 2017
Total posts 45
I transited from BNE en route to BKK on Wednesday morning and there was no warning from Qantas and no signage/advice by SAC. Just crowds of people and frazzled staff.
08 Aug 2017
Total posts 45
@rowwdy comment wrt MEL above ... Yes indeed Qantas handed out an Express Departure card at BNE on check-in.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Nov 2018
Total posts 3
The express path in both Sydney and Brisbane is normally shut when I go through anyway... so it's not going to make much difference. It's sold as a benefit by the airlines and handed out when checking in, but those airports often just pile biz over into the economy passengers' queue.
QF
01 Jul 2016
Total posts 4
Given the fact that SYD has a curfew, have any of the bone heads at the airport thought of doing the works at times when there is no one there? Thereby the works could be completed earlier and some adjustment could be made to allocate 3-4 Customs counters to Fast Track during normal and peak hours. Oh. That's right, we are in Australia. We don't work on projects like this outside of normal working hours, as do the rest of the world..
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 74
https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/investor/investors-centre/investor-contact-us
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 74
This is probably a better contact link.
01 Dec 2011
Total posts 22
I leave MEL 0830 on 18/5 for JNB via SYD. Only i hour transit, so may have a problem there. My TA suggested getting to MEL earlier to see if I could get an earlier flight. When I contacted QANTAS a while ago, they said that if there are delays in MEL, they would re-route me if I missed the connecting flight. Just hoping I get there OK. At least I've got an o/night in Jo'burg and an extra night in Cape Town before the start of my tour.
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
I hope the publisher of this article sends the comments to Sydney airport corporation..so they can see how dumb and stupid they are!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Dec 2018
Total posts 2
This doesn’t make sense, it’s ridiculous that (despite any construction) they can’t spare 1m of real estate on the left side of whatever space remains for express pass passengers. Surly the change would just affect the separate entrance, and not the lanes in the hall themselves.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
Jeremy, I have to concur and I'll be keen to see exactly how this has been set up when I next fly out of SYD T1 later this month. I really would think that splitting the passenger flow at the main airside entrance - express path to the right, everybody else to the left - and directing those premium passengers to their own series of e-passport lanes would not be the hardest thing to do, and then on existing those lanes you'd continue straight ahead to the security checkpoints at the far right of the departures area.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Dec 2018
Total posts 2
Could even have a retractible barrier lane all the way though (albeit a little tight in that intital doorway turning left through the main hall entrance).
08 Nov 2018
Total posts 1
Flying out of Sydney tonight there was still someone ushering crew through the old express path security area after the e-gates. When I asked about the express path I was told that it's gone due to renovations.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 97
No express lane in Sydney? Seems that every time I arrive or depart BNE international; the express lanes are closed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 May 2019
Total posts 4
When I checked in at SYD T1 for my QF flight to HKG last Monday morning, the business class check-in desk staff told me that “due to airport changes, Express Path departure was no longer available”. She then wished me “good luck” as this was the morning that Border Force computer systems were experiencing a nationwide outage. Affecting both arrivals and departures, Border Force officers were manually processing all passengers, resulting in lengthy delays.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 620
Considering the core issue was an immigration computer system problem (well outside of the airports control) what do you think Sydney airport could or should have done better? How could they have “helped” as you so put it?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 May 2019
Total posts 4
I accept that the Border Force system crash was outside of SYD airport’s control, but as a paying passenger was it too much to expect airport staff to take control, organise the chaos, provide passengers with information and guidance on where and how to join the queue?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
I have just confirmed with Qantas that despite their website requesting pax to "allow additional time", they will not allow already ticketed transit passengers to actually do that without charging them the standard flight change fare penalty.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 620
Might be because if you are in danger of missing you flight they can help expediate you through immigration and security. Not good if you want to relax in the lounge but not in their interest for you to miss the flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Nov 2017
Total posts 16
Flying F SIA later this morning and just had the pleasure of queue into passport control which I kid you not would have been 150m long winding through the terminal with the NSW police trying to keep everyone in check and making sure people join the line at the end. Only good thing I can say is that all gates were open but didn’t help.
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
As I said..we are coming into the peak season for intl travel. They should know better..the problem is they do know it's peak season and they decide to shut down the express lane! And having the police there won't help and they do not need to shout at the passengers either! Where are we? In a third world country? It's disgusting and they should be ashamed of themselves! I hope someone sends a copy of all the responses direct to SACL!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 108
Don't insult all the third world countries out there! I've visited quite a few and the vast majority are more pleasant experiences than SYD INT.
26 Feb 2014
Total posts 20
Hey mas...try and understand what I'm trying to say...even manila airport is better than ours....I'm talking as a general
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 30
Has the pleasure of departing T1 on Sunday morning - absolutely chaotic. The e-Gates were the most crowded so head for manual checks - I was lucky they had a very organised Airport Staff member moving people in that area very efficiently, others were waiting much longer. The worst part was security - frustrating watching people take forever. All in all from getting boarding pass to walking into duty free - 45 minutes. Disgracegul.
10 May 2018
Total posts 16
Good lord... I am not looking forward to my next few international flights from SYD over the next few months. This construction work to update the Departures Express Path area better be worth it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Etihad - Etihad Guest
12 May 2019
Total posts 3
This makes no difference to when it is open as its always full of Economy class people who try to queue jump that staff fail to send to the other side. The only value for business class is the seat and the lounge in some airports but not Sydney the QF business lounge is rubbish.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jun 2012
Total posts 3
Thanks for the update David.
Im traveling on Wednesday 28/8 and would be eligible to use the express pass in the early morning.
When Sydney airport says opens next week, do you know if this going to be ready on Monday or Friday?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
Sorry mate, but if we had an exact day we'd have published that.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Feb 2019
Total posts 6
Small mercies. A softening of the blow the delayed QF Business lounge refurb delivered earlier today.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
25 Aug 2012
Total posts 20
Reading the comments has been the highlight of my day.
11 Nov 2012
Total posts 3
I went through Sydney International Thursday 29th August and Express Lane was still not open yet
10 May 2018
Total posts 16
I went through on Aug 31 and it was indeed up and running that day. I couldn't find the separate Express Path entry for passport control and it looked like there was just a single entry point to get there (and it looked nice too) but the express lane for security screening was operational.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 163
I went through this past Monday.
As I was winding through the lines to the security I approached one of the people managing the lines and asked about express clearance and was then escorted through to a separate line.
Hopefully next time through the express path will be fully operational
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Feb 2018
Total posts 10
Has anyone been through in the last day or two? Flying Sunday and wondering what to expect.
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