Elite fliers get their own, shorter, security lines again
— -- VIP travelers are now finding more options to escape long lines at security checkpoints.
At some of the largest airports in the USA, elite-level fliers are increasingly rerouted to exclusive lines designed to speed them along and isolate them from the madding crowd.
Exclusive lines had been around for years, until security concerns arising from 9/11.
Now in a down economy, airlines are bringing them back to establish consistency and retain business passengers who buy full-fare tickets or are elite members of loyalty programs.
"Airlines want to recognize travelers who are paying more," says Tim Campbell, executive director of Baltimore-Washington International. "From airports' perspective, it doesn't harm travelers' flow."
Among the trends seen as airport VIP lines unfold:
•Low-cost carrier involvement. For the first time, populist Southwest Airlines introduced a program to accelerate checkpoint screening for customers paying Business Select, its highest fare category. Its Fly By lines are now at seven airports, including Dallas Love Field, Baltimore/Washington, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Orange County John Wayne, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The airline plans to open lines at other airports before the end of the year, possibly including Las Vegas McCarran, spokeswoman Brandy King says.
•Heightened marketing. American Airlines said last month that it will improve checkpoint lines at 16 of its largest airports. Unlike its first-class lines at other airports, the new PriorityAAcess lines will not be shared with customers of other carriers (except for its alliance member carriers). And its signs will be "well marked" and "more consistent," says Andrea Huguely, spokeswoman for American.
Among the airports where its lines were rolled out recently: Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, New York's Kennedy and LaGuardia, Miami, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Francisco, Boston and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The most elite members of its frequent-flier program, full-fare coach customers, AAirpass members (who buy prepaid tickets at a fixed rate), and passengers in business and first class can use the lanes. The carrier plans to expand it at other airports, Huguely says.
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