At an airport, landside is every area before security screening that the public can reach freely, such as the car parks, drop-off zones, check-in halls, arrivals hall and landside shops. Airside is everything beyond security, including departure lounges, gates, aircraft stands, baggage halls and the airfield itself. The difference matters for anyone working at an airport, because airside jobs need an airport ID pass, background and counter-terrorism checks, and daily staff screening, while many landside jobs do not.
This guide explains the difference, lists common jobs in each area and sets out what working airside involves.
Airside and landside explained
| Landside | Airside | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Before security: car parks, forecourt, check-in, arrivals, landside retail | After security: departure lounge, gates, piers, stands, baggage areas, airfield |
| Who can enter | Anyone | Screened passengers and authorised staff only |
| Staff ID | Often a site pass; sometimes none | Airport ID pass with security vetting |
| Daily screening | No | Yes, staff are screened like passengers |
Some airports also use the term “security restricted area” (SRA) for parts of airside, and “critical parts” for the most sensitive zones such as stands and baggage areas.
Common landside jobs
- Car park attendants, traffic marshals and forecourt staff.
- Check-in agents and customer service desks.
- Landside café, retail and car hire staff.
- Information desk and meet-and-greet teams.
- Cleaners and porters in public areas.
- Train, bus and taxi coordination staff.
Car park and forecourt teams play a big part in passenger experience, as our guide to car park management explains.
Common airside jobs
- Duty free and travel retail staff. See our duty free jobs guide.
- Food and beverage staff in departure lounges.
- Security officers.
- Passenger assistance agents. See our passenger assistance guide.
- Gate and dispatch agents.
- Ground handlers, baggage handlers and ramp agents.
- Aircraft cleaners and terminal cleaners.
- Lounge hosts and hospitality staff.
What working airside involves
Vetting before you start
To get an airport ID pass you normally need a five-year background check covering employment, education and any gaps, a criminal record check and a counter-terrorism check (CTC). You will also complete general security awareness training (GSAT). Our airport ID pass guide covers each step in detail.
Daily routines
- Passing through staff security screening at the start of every shift.
- Wearing and displaying your ID pass at all times.
- Following rules on prohibited items, including tools, liquids and knives, unless authorised.
- Challenging or reporting anyone without a visible pass.
- Allowing extra time to get through security and walk to your work area.
Responsibilities
Airside staff are part of the airport’s security culture. Misusing a pass, lending it to someone or taking prohibited items airside can lead to the pass being withdrawn and dismissal.
Which is right for you?
If you want to start quickly, a landside job can be a faster route because vetting may be lighter. If you want the widest range of airport roles, including retail and passenger-facing jobs in departures, airside is where most of the work is. Many people start landside and move airside once their pass is issued.
Want to work at London Luton or Stansted?We recruit for airside retail, customer service and support roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does airside mean?
The part of an airport beyond security screening, including departure lounges, gates, stands and baggage areas.
What does landside mean?
The public areas before security, such as car parks, check-in and arrivals.
Do landside jobs need an airport ID pass?
Not always. Many landside roles need a site pass only, but it depends on the airport and employer.
Is duty free airside or landside?
Most duty free shops are airside, in the departure lounge after security.
Airport staffing with WWSG
WWSG supplies vetted staff for airside and landside roles. Find out about our aviation services or contact us.