Glossary
Landside
Definition: Landside is the area of an airport before security and passport control, accessible to the general public including non-travellers. It includes check-in halls, arrivals areas, and public facilities.
The landside area of an airport includes: the departures hall (check-in desks, self-service kiosks), arrivals hall (baggage claim, customs, meeting points), public transportation connections, parking facilities, rental car desks, and various shops and restaurants accessible to everyone.
For travellers, the time spent landside includes check-in, bag drop, and the walk to security. Business class passengers typically have dedicated check-in counters or desks that reduce landside time significantly. Some airports offer curbside check-in or valet services for premium passengers.
Landside hotels and facilities are relevant for passengers with very early departures or late arrivals who want to stay at the airport without clearing security. Many major airports have hotels accessible from both landside and airside, allowing flexible access depending on your needs.