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.

Landside vs. Airside

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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Security checks separate landside, where anyone can access, from airside, accessible only to ticketed passengers and authorized personnel.

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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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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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Transitioning from landside to airside requires passing through security and immigration controls, highlighting the division between the two areas.

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Comparison Chart

Accessibility

Open to the public and travelers

Restricted to ticketed passengers and staff

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Location

Before security checkpoints

Beyond security checkpoints

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Services Available

Check-in, ticketing, public transport

Boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges

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Security Level

Lower, general public access

Higher, controlled access

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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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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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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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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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Landside

Landside encompasses airport parking and drop-off areas.

Airport parking lots are typically located on the landside.

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Airside

Airside includes boarding gates and aircraft operations.

Our flight departed from gate 12 on the airside.

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Landside

The flat side of a plow opposite the furrow.

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Airside

The part of an airport directly involved in the arrival and departure of aircraft.

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Landside

Inland; away from the sea.

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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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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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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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Landside

The flat bottom part of a plough.

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Airside

A passenger-only area of an airport, beyond security, passport/immigration, and customs controls.

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Landside

The freely-accessible area of an airport, outside of security, passport/immigration, and customs control.

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Landside

Component consisting of a side piece opposite the moldboard

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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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Do you need a boarding pass to access landside?

No, a boarding pass is not required for landside access.

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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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Who can access airside areas?

Airside is accessible to ticketed passengers and authorized airport staff.

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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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Is a boarding pass required for airside access?

Yes, passengers need a boarding pass to access airside areas.

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Are there shops and restaurants airside?

Yes, there are duty-free shops and restaurants available airside.

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Can anyone access landside areas?

Yes, landside areas are open to the public.

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Can you move freely between landside and airside?

Movement between landside and airside is controlled and requires passing through security.

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What are the features of airside?

Airside features include boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges, and aircraft operations areas.

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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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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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Are airport lounges located landside or airside?

Airport lounges are typically located airside.

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Can you access airside without going through security?

No, security screening is mandatory to access airside.

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Is parking considered landside or airside?

Parking is considered part of the landside.

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Can you meet someone airside?

Generally, only ticketed passengers can access airside, so meeting someone is limited to landside.

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Do landside and airside have different security levels?

Yes, airside has higher security compared to landside.

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila 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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