Tan Son Nhat Airport Moves Priority Screening Lanes Across Three Terminals

Tan Son Nhat International Airport has changed where eligible passengers enter priority security screening in all three terminals. The new layout took effect Sunday, according to Tuoi Tre News. The changes shift queues within the airport; they don’t extend access to business-class passengers or frequent flyers solely because of their ticket or membership tier.

That distinction matters for travelers planning their airport time. Some airlines offer benefits such as dedicated check-in counters or priority baggage handling, but Tan Son Nhat’s priority screening lanes have separate eligibility criteria. Passengers should check the lane signs and follow staff directions rather than assume that an airline benefit includes faster screening.

Where the lanes are now

At Terminal 1, which handles Vietjet’s domestic flights, the priority lane has moved to the first floor. The ground-floor screening area can be adjusted to suit operational needs, so passengers should look for current directions when they arrive.

Terminal 2 serves international flights. Its priority lane remains at screening machine No. 1, on the right side of the departure hall’s second floor. Passengers using wheelchairs are directed to machine No. 10 on the left side of that floor.

At Terminal 3, the priority lane has moved from the right side of the second-floor departure hall to its central screening area. The right-side area may be arranged flexibly according to operating conditions.

These terminal-by-terminal differences make the location details useful: there isn’t one new lane position that applies across the airport. The airport has also placed staff near check-in areas to direct passengers and help prevent them from joining the wrong queue. Tan Son Nhat’s Border Gate Police said the reorganization went smoothly on its first day.

Who can use priority screening

The lanes are intended for eligible passengers, flight crews, airline staff on duty and people who need special assistance. The listed groups include elderly passengers, pregnant women, infants and people with disabilities, as well as others who require assistance under the airport’s service arrangements.

A business-class ticket, a Vietjet SkyBoss fare or Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum membership does not by itself qualify a traveler for priority security screening. The airport’s Border Gate Police said passengers must undergo screening under current rules unless they meet an exemption specified in Decree 215/2026/ND-CP. Airline fare and membership benefits are set separately from the criteria used for security queues.

That separation can be easy to miss when travelers encounter several kinds of priority service during one airport visit. A shorter check-in queue or earlier baggage handling doesn’t establish access to a priority screening lane. Passengers who need assistance should identify themselves to airport staff, who can direct them to the appropriate checkpoint.

A change in queue layout, not screening procedure

The reported changes concern the locations of designated lanes and how parts of the screening areas may be arranged. They don’t describe a new screening process or a general reduction in the steps passengers must complete. All travelers should still allow time for the screening requirements that apply to their journey.

Moving a queue can help direct passenger flows around each terminal’s available space and operating conditions. The practical effect for an individual traveler depends on the terminal, the lane they’re eligible to use and the directions in place on the day. The airport’s first-day report suggests staff were guiding passengers through the transition, while the flexible arrangements leave room to adjust some areas as operations require.

For travelers, the simplest way to use the update is to check their terminal and follow signs or staff instructions once inside. This is particularly relevant at Terminal 1, where the priority lane is now on the first floor, and Terminal 3, where it has moved to the center of the second-floor departure hall. Terminal 2’s lane remains at machine No. 1, while wheelchair users are directed to machine No. 10.

Tan Son Nhat is a busy gateway for domestic and international journeys, and airport queues can shape how much time passengers need before departure. This adjustment gives eligible travelers new locations to note, but it doesn’t create a general fast track based on airline status or cabin. For passengers who don’t meet the stated criteria, the key takeaway is practical: leave enough time for screening, and use the lane assigned to your needs.

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