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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Security checks separate landside, where anyone can access, from airside, accessible only to ticketed passengers and authorized personnel.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Landside facilities include parking, public transport links, and check-in counters, while airside houses duty-free shops, lounges, and aircraft hangars.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Transitioning from landside to airside requires passing through security and immigration controls, highlighting the division between the two areas.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Accessibility
Open to the public and travelers
Restricted to ticketed passengers and staff
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Services Available
Check-in, ticketing, public transport
Boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Purpose within the Airport
Pre-flight procedures, arrivals
Aircraft operations, boarding processes
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Landside and Airside Definitions
Landside
Landside includes check-in and ticketing areas.
The check-in counters are located on the landside of the terminal.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside is the secure area after security check.
Passengers proceed to airside for boarding after security screening.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Landside
Landside is accessible to the general public.
Public restaurants and shops are available on the airport's landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside access is restricted to ticketed passengers.
Only ticketed passengers can access the lounges in the airside area.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Landside
Landside features public transport connections.
Buses and trains to the city depart from the landside terminal.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Airside
Airside is where aircraft are parked, loaded, and maintained.
The aircraft maintenance hangars are located airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Landside
Landside refers to the airport areas before security check.
I met my family at the landside arrivals hall.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Landside
Landside encompasses airport parking and drop-off areas.
Airport parking lots are typically located on the landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Airside
Airside includes boarding gates and aircraft operations.
Our flight departed from gate 12 on the airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Airside
The part of an airport directly involved in the arrival and departure of aircraft.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Airside
A passenger-only area of an airport, beyond security, passport/immigration, and customs controls.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Landside
The freely-accessible area of an airport, outside of security, passport/immigration, and customs control.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Do you need a boarding pass to access landside?
No, a boarding pass is not required for landside access.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What is landside at an airport?
Landside refers to areas of the airport accessible to both travelers and the general public.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Who can access airside areas?
Airside is accessible to ticketed passengers and authorized airport staff.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is a boarding pass required for airside access?
Yes, passengers need a boarding pass to access airside areas.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are there shops and restaurants airside?
Yes, there are duty-free shops and restaurants available airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can anyone access landside areas?
Yes, landside areas are open to the public.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you move freely between landside and airside?
Movement between landside and airside is controlled and requires passing through security.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What are the features of airside?
Airside features include boarding gates, duty-free shops, lounges, and aircraft operations areas.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are baggage claim areas landside or airside?
Baggage claim areas are usually landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are the runways considered landside or airside?
Runways are part of the airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is the check-in area landside or airside?
The check-in area is part of the landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What is airside at an airport?
Airside refers to the secure area of the airport beyond the security checkpoints.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can non-travelers go airside?
No, airside access is restricted to travelers and authorized personnel.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are airport lounges located landside or airside?
Airport lounges are typically located airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you access airside without going through security?
No, security screening is mandatory to access airside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is parking considered landside or airside?
Parking is considered part of the landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you meet someone airside?
Generally, only ticketed passengers can access airside, so meeting someone is limited to landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Do landside and airside have different security levels?
Yes, airside has higher security compared to landside.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
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.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
