Landside vs. Airside: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Landside refers to the airport areas accessible to the public, like check-in, while airside is the secure zone beyond customs, where planes operate.
Key Differences
Landside encompasses areas of an airport open to the general public, including check-in and arrivals, contrasting with airside, restricted to passengers and staff, encompassing runways and boarding gates.
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Nov 28, 2023
Security checks separate landside, where anyone can access, from airside, accessible only to ticketed passengers and authorized personnel.
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Nov 28, 2023
Landside facilities include parking, public transport links, and check-in counters, while airside houses duty-free shops, lounges, and aircraft hangars.
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Nov 28, 2023
On the landside, services cater to both travelers and non-travelers, whereas airside services are exclusively for those who have cleared security.
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Nov 28, 2023
Transitioning from landside to airside requires passing through security and immigration controls, highlighting the division between the two areas.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Accessibility
Open to the public and travelers
Restricted to ticketed passengers and staff
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Services Available
Check-in, ticketing, public transport
Boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges
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Purpose within the Airport
Pre-flight procedures, arrivals
Aircraft operations, boarding processes
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Landside and Airside Definitions
Landside
Landside includes check-in and ticketing areas.
The check-in counters are located on the landside of the terminal.
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Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside is the secure area after security check.
Passengers proceed to airside for boarding after security screening.
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Landside
Landside is accessible to the general public.
Public restaurants and shops are available on the airport's landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside access is restricted to ticketed passengers.
Only ticketed passengers can access the lounges in the airside area.
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Landside
Landside features public transport connections.
Buses and trains to the city depart from the landside terminal.
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Airside
Airside is where aircraft are parked, loaded, and maintained.
The aircraft maintenance hangars are located airside.
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Landside
Landside refers to the airport areas before security check.
I met my family at the landside arrivals hall.
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Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside features duty-free shops and lounges.
I browsed the duty-free shops on the airside while waiting for my flight.
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Nov 28, 2023
Landside
Landside encompasses airport parking and drop-off areas.
Airport parking lots are typically located on the landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside includes boarding gates and aircraft operations.
Our flight departed from gate 12 on the airside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Airside
The part of an airport directly involved in the arrival and departure of aircraft.
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Oct 19, 2023
Airside
In the passenger-only area of an airport, beyond security, passport/immigration, and customs controls.
When I was airside, I browsed the duty-free shops.
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Oct 19, 2023
Landside
In the freely-accessible area of an airport, outside of security, passport/immigration, and customs control.
I had to remain landside because I did not have a boarding card.
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Oct 19, 2023
Airside
Into the passenger-only area of an airport, beyond security, passport/immigration, and customs controls.
You have to go through security to go airside.
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Oct 19, 2023
Airside
A passenger-only area of an airport, beyond security, passport/immigration, and customs controls.
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Oct 19, 2023
Landside
The freely-accessible area of an airport, outside of security, passport/immigration, and customs control.
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What facilities are found on the landside?
Landside facilities include check-in counters, public transport links, and general amenities.
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Nov 28, 2023
Do you need a boarding pass to access landside?
No, a boarding pass is not required for landside access.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is landside at an airport?
Landside refers to areas of the airport accessible to both travelers and the general public.
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Nov 28, 2023
Who can access airside areas?
Airside is accessible to ticketed passengers and authorized airport staff.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are there security checks on the landside?
Limited security checks may be present, but full security screening is beyond the landside area.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is a boarding pass required for airside access?
Yes, passengers need a boarding pass to access airside areas.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are there shops and restaurants airside?
Yes, there are duty-free shops and restaurants available airside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can anyone access landside areas?
Yes, landside areas are open to the public.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can you move freely between landside and airside?
Movement between landside and airside is controlled and requires passing through security.
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Nov 28, 2023
What are the features of airside?
Airside features include boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges, and aircraft operations areas.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are baggage claim areas landside or airside?
Baggage claim areas are usually landside.
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Are the runways considered landside or airside?
Runways are part of the airside.
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Is the check-in area landside or airside?
The check-in area is part of the landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is airside at an airport?
Airside refers to the secure area of the airport beyond the security checkpoints.
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Can non-travelers go airside?
No, airside access is restricted to travelers and authorized personnel.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are airport lounges located landside or airside?
Airport lounges are typically located airside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can you access airside without going through security?
No, security screening is mandatory to access airside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is parking considered landside or airside?
Parking is considered part of the landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can you meet someone airside?
Generally, only ticketed passengers can access airside, so meeting someone is limited to landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
Do landside and airside have different security levels?
Yes, airside has higher security compared to landside.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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