Ho Chi Minh City airport revises priority security lanes: What passengers need to know

Priority security screening lanes are designated for eligible passengers, including flight crews, on-duty airline staff, and those requiring special assistance. 

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, these lanes have recently been rearranged across all three terminals, with the new layout taking effect on Sunday. 

The changes are intended to better accommodate passenger flows and operational conditions at each terminal while ensuring aviation security and safety.

On Monday, the airport's Border Gate Police said the reorganization had gone smoothly after its first day of implementation. 

Officers have also been stationed at check-in areas to guide passengers and prevent them from entering the wrong lanes.

Changing priority security lanes across three terminals

Under the new arrangement, the priority security lane at Terminal 1, which handles Vietjet's domestic flights, has been moved to the first floor. 

The ground-floor priority screening area will be adjusted flexibly based on operational needs.

At Terminal 2, which serves international flights, the priority lane remains at screening machine No. 1 on the right side of the departure hall on the second floor. 

Passengers using wheelchairs will be directed to screening machine No. 10 on the left side of the departure hall on the same floor.

At Terminal 3, the priority lane has been relocated from the right side to the central screening area of the departure hall on the second floor. 

The screening area on the right side will be arranged flexibly depending on operational conditions.

Authorities advise passengers to follow airport signs and staff instructions to locate the appropriate screening lanes and avoid delays before departure.

The changes primarily concern the locations of priority security screening lanes for eligible passengers and those requiring special assistance, rather than the overall security screening process.

Do business-class tickets or elite memberships grant access to priority security lanes?

One question passengers have raised is whether business-class tickets, Vietjet's SkyBoss fares, or Vietnam Airlines' Lotusmiles Platinum membership qualify them for priority security screening.

According to Tan Son Nhat Airport's Border Gate Police, all passengers are required to undergo security screening under current regulations, unless they qualify for an exemption under Decree 215/2026/ND-CP.

Current regulations do not grant passengers access to priority security screening lanes solely based on their ticket class or airline membership status. 

Airlines set their own fare classes and membership benefits, while security screening is governed by separate regulations.

Business-class passengers and elite members may enjoy benefits such as dedicated check-in counters and priority baggage handling, depending on airline policies. 

However, these privileges do not automatically entitle them to use priority security screening lanes.

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, groups eligible for priority assistance at security checkpoints include those covered by preferential treatment regulations, flight crews and airline staff on duty, elderly passengers, pregnant women, infants, people with disabilities and others requiring special assistance under airport service arrangements.