Your guide to the airport journey

Gold Coast Airport has both domestic and international services within one building. All entry and exit door are automatic and will open or close when movement is detected.

All airlines use the same terminal. Check-In for both international and domestic flights is located at the northern end of the terminal. Check-in and baggage drop typically open three hours before departure on international flights and two hours for domestic flights.

You can either check-in with an airline customer service representative at your airline’s check-in desk or you can use a self-service machine. 

The self-service machines are in the check-In area. You can tell which one to use by the logo and airline name on the screen. As well as self-service check-in, there is also automated bag drop machines, which tell you how to weigh and label your own bags before putting them on a conveyor belt that will take them to your aircraft. 

Airline Assistance

Most airlines offer wheelchair assistance for travellers from check-in to your aircraft, or from your aircraft to baggage reclaim. 

When booking your ticket with your airline, let them know that you have specific needs so they will know how best to assist you. Alternatively, ask the friendly airline staff at your check-in desk for their help.

Everyone needs to be security screened

Security screening is compulsory for everyone entering the “secure area” of an Australian airport terminal. The secure area is the part of the airport terminal that you enter after security screening to board an aircraft.

Under Australia’s aviation security regulations, you cannot choose your screening method, and practices may vary between airports. It is important to remember that screening selection is not based on gender, ethnicity, religion or employment.

Everyone passing through the security screening point at Gold Coast Airport, whether you are catching a flight or not, needs to be screened.

We know that some travellers have special circumstances and so we have procedures in place to help travellers with additional needs, for example those using a wheelchair, or with low vision, or those with prosthetic devices or a pacemaker.

For people who may need a little extra help or time, we have a special screening lane that we encourage you to use. This lane is called the Family and Screening Assistance lane. There is also a special lane at immigration for international travellers.

Tell the security screening officer if you need assistance

Importantly, before the screening process begins, tell the screening officer if you need assistance or if you have a prosthetic, medical device or medical equipment. You have the right to refuse to be screened but it means that you will not be allowed to go to the gate or board your flight.

If you feel uncomfortable during the security screening process or have any questions, then please talk to the officer or ask to speak with their supervisor.

Security screening is safe

The security screening body scanners at Gold Coast Airport use non-ionising millimetre wave technology, like a mobile phone. It is not like an x-ray. The body scanners do not pose any known health risks to people and there are no known safety concerns for people with active implantable medical devices, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices.

Communication & Sequencing Boards

To help people understand the security screening process, we have developed Communication and Sequencing Boards for Gold Coast Airport’s domestic and international security screening points. These boards use pictures and icons to show you what to expect at security screening. They also include key information and common questions. You can access copies of the boards at each security screening lane or you can download them here.

For more information on security screening and to understand how the process changes for people with different accessibility needs, please download the Gold Coast Airport Accessibility Access Facilitation Plan.

If you are travelling internationally from Gold Coast Airport, then you will need to go through two different security screening points.

Once you have gone through the main screening point, you can relax in the domestic departures lounge until you see ‘Please proceed to international’ displayed on the flight information display screen. When you see this message, you should go to the international departure lounge on Level 1. You will then need to go through a 2^nd screening process to comply with international regulations. This means you and your bags will need to be screened for powders, liquids, aerosols and gels, using both body scanners and x-ray equipment for your bags.

Pharmacy

There is an Amcal+ Express Pharmacy located in the domestic departures lounge, just on the right when you get through security screening. They offer a wide range of products, and you can fill your prescription in advance by downloading the Amcal app here.

Alternatively, you can email the friendly Amcal team via email to arrange your prescription ahead of time at goldcoastairport@amcal.net.au. The pharmacy is open every day from 6am to 7pm.

Restaurants / Dietary requirements

There are a range of food and beverage offerings available throughout the terminal, as well as different seating styles to suit all travellers. Most restaurants offer a selection of options, including gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free choices. Learn more about the different options available here.

Gold Coast Airport is a little different to other airports you may have visited. Your boarding gate number will only be displayed on the Flight Information Display Screen (FIDS) 40 minutes before your domestic service and 60 minutes for an international service.

International travellers can go to the international departure lounge via Border Processing on Level 1 up to 2 hours before departure.

Your airline may tell you your gate number during check-in, but we recommend referring to the FIDS in case of an unexpected gate change.

Gold Coast Airport’s boarding gates are all numbered. Once your boarding gate number has been displayed on the FIDS, your flight number will appear on the screen at your gate.

There are plenty of FIDS throughout the terminal, providing up-to-date details on aircraft arrivals and departures. This information is also available on the Gold Coast Airport website.

At Gold Coast Airport, aerobridges, ramps and stairs are used for access to and from aircraft. If you have limited mobility or other disabilities, you can ask for assistance from airline staff to help you board and disembark from the aircraft. It is best to inform the airline or your travel agent when you book your flight and re-confirm again before flying to confirm the necessary support is available.

Aerobridges are not available at all boarding gates at Gold Coast Airport. 

When aerobridges are not available, you will board or disembark the aircraft via a ramp or stairs. 

Lifting equipment is also available for people requiring additional assistance to help them on and off the aircraft. 

Travellers using a wheelchair or mobility aid

It varies by airline, however normally you can use your own wheelchair up until the boarding gate. Check with your airline to confirm their specific guidelines before travelling.

If you are using your own wheelchair then make sure you arrive at the boarding gate early for boarding. You will need to transfer to an airline wheelchair for boarding and disembarking. Please confirm your assistance requirements with the airline and ground crew staff at the boarding gate. Airline wheelchairs are typically narrower to enable them to move through the aircraft aisles.

Once you have transferred to the airline wheelchair, your wheelchair will be tagged and stowed securely in the baggage hold of the aircraft. It varies by airline, but normally, your wheelchair will be available at the gate upon disembarking the aircraft at your destination.