In mid-2024 Luton Airport introduced a “pre-book” security option, allowing passengers to book a timeslot to be expedited through security for free. I had the chance to try it out on a recent trip, and wanted to report back on my experience, given that there’s limited information out there on Prebook Security.
My experience through Prebook Security was extremely smooth – we were able to skip the queue (which was surprisingly short on our midsummer Saturday morning) and get through security within minutes of us arriving Luton Airport. Given that the service is free, I’d highly recommend giving this service a go, given that Luton’s security queues can be on the long side.
When can you book Prebook Security at Luton?
Luton’s Prebook security is open for booking from four days before your flight (this is at the beginning of the day, rather than 96 hours before your flight). At the moment, Prebook security is only available from 3 AM to 3 PM, so you won’t be able to use it on evening flights out of Luton.
You can book online here for up to 10 passengers. Here’s what the interface looks like – you choose your departure date, the destination you’re flying to out of Luton, and you’ll then get to choose which flight you’re taking.
The booking interface says that not all airlines are eligible for Prebook Security (though I can’t find an airline that isn’t included), and I was pleased to see my flight to Paris on the list. I selected my flight, selected the number of passengers, and was able to choose from a range of timeslots up to around one hour before my flight.
This was then confirmed, and I was sent an email with a QR code as well as these details. You’ll also be allowed to change your pre-booked time if needed, though there’s a 15-minute grace period on each side of the slot (so in reality there’s a 45-minute window in which you’ll be allowed to use the service).
My Experience Using Prebook Security at Luton Airport
I was a little nervous getting to the airport for my pre-booked slot, given that I was arriving just over an hour before my 8:45 AM flight on a midsummer Saturday morning, and I know that Luton queues can get quite long at times. You don’t have to go through departure immigration at UK airports (including Luton), though I was still on edge that Prebook Security would take longer than expected.
Well, I had nothing to worry about. Not only was the regular line a maximum of 10 minutes long, but Prebook Security was completely empty, and we were expedited through a passageway to a dedicated security scanner. This was one of the “new-style” scanners as well, so we didn’t have to take any liquids out of our bags.
Apologies for the stock photo below – I specifically asked whether I could take a photo of the Prebook Security sign, and was told that this was a no-photo area (which is fair enough, since the area is quite close to the security scanners). However, I found the sign on the left of the general security entrance, and we were very easily admitted in by a staff member.
Luton Airport’s Prebook Security Sign
I’m really looking forward to this option being rolled out round the clock at Luton Airport, as you can’t use this service after 3 PM currently. I’d say that this is even quicker than Fast Track (which goes from £4), though the latter is available around the clock, and you’re allowed to arrive flexibility at any time.
London airports are quite efficient with departures now! (?)
I’m not sure if I’ve just had a lucky streak, though in the past few years I’ve lived in London, I’ve never had over a 10-minute wait at security at any London airport, regardless of whether I was going through fast-track security or not. I know that people have had varying experiences (especially at Luton), though I travel quite frequently over peak season, and have never seen a super long wait. Even the “horror stories” of 45+ minutes I’ve heard of don’t compare to the hours-long queues at other airports throughout the world.
It certainly helps that you don’t have to go through departure immigration in the UK, since airlines automatically inform the government that you’ve left the country once your flight departs – additionally, most UK airports now use the “new-style” scanners where you can keep liquids and electronics in your bags (Luton and Gatwick do – Heathrow and Stansted have implemented it throughout some, but not all scanners).
Arrivals is a different story, though even so I find that situation to be improving slowly.
Conclusion
Luton Airport has a complimentary Prebook Security option for a 45-minute window you can pass through security, which you can book four days before your flight departs. This is valuable, as it can help reduce the stress of long queues at airport security and give you a bit more assurance to arrive a bit later for your flight; however, I don’t find the queues at Luton to be that bad either way.
I’d definitely use this as an option over paying for Fast Track if it’s available for your flight, though it’s only available from 3 AM to 3 PM for now (and thus not helpful for evening flights).
How was your experience using Prebook Security at Luton?