Gone on a work trip to Melbourne? Jetted off to Perth for a family wedding? Flew into the heart of Australia’s Red Centre? If you’ve travelled domestically from Sydney, chances are you’ve been caught in one of those long and winding queues at Sydney airport.
But good news is on the horizon. Major improvements are taking off at Sydney’s T2 domestic terminal as we speak. Sydney Airport is giving the T2 domestic terminal a much-needed upgrade – its first in over 30 years – and it’s all about getting you from your Uber or taxi drop-off to your boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. Yes, really!
Built back in the days of Ansett (remember when it was our national carrier?) to handle just eight million passengers a year, Sydney airport was overdue for a revamp. There will be $200 million going into the upgrade that’s already under way, and it’s no small feat – with crew working round the clock to ensure minimal disruption to the current check-in system or flights.
The new-look terminal will feature next-gen security technology including advanced CT scanners. This means no more having to remove your laptops and liquids from your carry-on bags. Sweet. There’ll be seven processing lanes handling up to 500 passengers an hour – more than double the current flow – so that passengers can breeze through security.
Check-in is also getting a serious makeover. Expect 55 self-serve kiosks and smarter bag drop facilities that boost luggage processing capacity from 1,500 to 1,800 bags per hour by 2026. Family in tow or need a bit of extra help? The new design includes dedicated lanes and two additional lifts to make getting around easier. Plus, the gate lounge and food court areas are getting a refresh, too.
The only question that remains is where are you booking a holiday in 2026?
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.
RECOMMENDED:
Here’s an exclusive sneak peek at the new Western Sydney Airport.
These are the best weekend getaway locations close to Sydney, if you’d rather not get on a plane.