Security at HEL T2
Jun 12, 2019, 3:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampere
Programs: BA EC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
Security at HEL T2
I didn't see a relevant thread to post this in. If there is such, I trust the mods will move this one there.
My last few fights out of HEL have all been intra-Schengen so I have just gone straight through at the main security (or upstairs to priority, if on AY). Today, however, I'm off to the UK for the first time since March so I turned left and went down to the end, to the 'lesser-known' channels. Surprise, surprise: they are closed (except for staff). I've always thought that I follow this forum fairly closely but I somehow missed any mention of this change.
My last few fights out of HEL have all been intra-Schengen so I have just gone straight through at the main security (or upstairs to priority, if on AY). Today, however, I'm off to the UK for the first time since March so I turned left and went down to the end, to the 'lesser-known' channels. Surprise, surprise: they are closed (except for staff). I've always thought that I follow this forum fairly closely but I somehow missed any mention of this change.
Last edited by henry999; Jun 12, 2019 at 4:04 am Reason: spelling
Jun 12, 2019, 3:21 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
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Posts: 8,749
I believe T2 Left security is closed because of the renovation works. It used to be a great fast track for non-Schengen flights.
When parking at P3, I always use T1 security. It's usually empty, and there's even a priority line there.
When parking at P3, I always use T1 security. It's usually empty, and there's even a priority line there.
Jun 12, 2019, 3:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampere
Programs: BA EC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
Jun 12, 2019, 6:25 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
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Posts: 1,445
Jun 12, 2019, 4:02 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: TK *G, BA Gold
Posts: 592
There are some new gates at the end of the T1 area which are now used by finnair domestic flights, so if you stick to airport authority terminology you would check in at T2 and depart from T1!
sometimes the upstairs priority security area in T2 is also open for non-priority customers although i'm not sure there is any way to find out when they are doing this apart from go up the escalator and see for yourself.
Jun 12, 2019, 4:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,603
The only trick is BA. Only OWEs (including BA Gold) using BA CE are allowed (this is not written anywhere) . BA CE passengers without OWE are not allowed. BA golds flying AY (and other OW?)are always accepted.
Jun 12, 2019, 5:29 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2015
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Non priority-security is open during the rush-hours. It is easy to check looking at the monitors visible even downstairs. Annoyingly, the priority security is closed during the late evenings even though the queues are not long at that time. Any priority lane accepts any FF card allowing the use of it (eg Star Gold members are allowed to use T2 and OWEs are allowed to use T1 priority security).
The only trick is BA. Only OWEs (including BA Gold) using BA CE are allowed (this is not written anywhere) . BA CE passengers without OWE are not allowed. BA golds flying AY (and other OW?)are always accepted.
Jun 12, 2019, 10:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
yes you can use any security checkpoint for any flight, there are not really two "terminals" but two departure halls and three luggage claim areas and after security it's just one area - perhaps not even signs saying T1/T2 (because T1/T2 are really departure halls and not terminals).
I've walked on the airside between them. Never just thought of going through security at the other terminal, when my flight is from the other one. The concept of interconnected terminals isn't HEL specific anyway.Okay, haven't had one from there, so it's interesting hear that.
Jun 13, 2019, 7:01 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: TK *G, BA Gold
Posts: 592
Things will be slightly quicker now since they seem to be removing the travel agent/airport agent offices in the walkway from T2 to the station and making the passageway wider. One might hope for a moving walkway but I doubt it.