Airport Hack to Avoid 'Crazy Long Security Lines' Praised

Hate standing at the airport for hours while waiting to pass through the security screening area? One passenger breezed through the security checkpoint at one of the world's busiest airports in less than five minutes by using a free service.

A voice in a viral TikTok video shared by Raimee (@raimeetravels) says: "If you are flying out of London Heathrow anytime soon, you need to know about this to avoid the crazy long security lines."

The footage shows scenes of passengers outside and inside Heathrow, the main international airport serving London.

"This is the coolest thing I've seen any airport do. They have a new thing called Timeslot that allows you to schedule when you go through security," the voice continues.

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world and served 61.6 million passengers in 2022, according to Statista.

The airport is conducting a trial of its Timeslot program, which allows flyers departing on selected flights from Terminal 3 to "pre-book" a time slot to "access a designated entry point into the security search area," the airport explains.

Timeslot is a free service provided via Clear, Heathrow's partner provider, which is an expedited security program available at various airports in the U.S.

Clear's Reserve program offers the same free service as Timeslot at 14 airports in North America, including eight major hubs in the U.S., such as Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The service is also available at a handful of other airports in Europe, including those in Berlin, Amsterdam and Rome, according to Clear's website.

The new airport hack will be useful to many passengers, as the demand for air travel is showing no signs of slowing down in the post-pandemic era.

This past May, global air traffic was reported at 96.1 percent of May 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Get Through Security in 'Less Than Five Minutes'

You can book your security time slot for Heathrow via its website, and you'll then receive a QR code by email.

Once you've checked your bags, passengers can follow signs to the Timeslot area at Heathrow, where a staff member will scan your QR code and direct you to the security lane. "You may arrive 15 minutes before or after your scheduled time," the airport says.

The time slots, which can be booked up to three days before your trip, are only available for Terminal 3 flights operated by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic, according to the Heathrow website.

The voice in the TikTok clip says: "I got through security just as fast as I would have in the States using my TSA Pre-Check [an expedited traveler screening program] and Clear.

"I am not kidding when I say I got through Heathrow security in less than five minutes. And that has never happened to me at an international airport," the voice says.

Several TikTok users praised the airport security hack. Tim Holmes said: "For once, a really useful hack. Thanks!"

LaurenceBoston wrote: "Great tip thank you. My daughter studies in London and I could use this next time I leave London."

K said: "That's pretty cool."

Asta Darling wrote: "Oh sweet! Just made an appointment for our flight!!"

Some said wait times at Heathrow aren't bad enough to require the use of Timeslot.

TheSchafferAdam wrote: "Never had a problem at Heathrow. Longest I ever waited in line was 15 mins."

Robert Koehler135 wrote: "Security at Heathrow is less than 10 mins no matter what. Maybe always less than 5." The original poster replied: "Not in my past experience but I still like having this option."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment. This video has not been independently verified.

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