US TOURIST DISCOVERS 'WEIRD' THING ABOUT DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA: 'THIS IS CRAZY'

• An American visitor to Australia recently travelled on domestic flights
• They were surprised you could enter the terminal without a boarding pass

An American tourist has revealed he was surprised when no one checked his ID or boarding pass at domestic airport security screening in Australia.

Uptin Saidii, a former tech and money journalist, was travelling between Sydney and Melbourne when he noticed the lack of checks after reaching his boarding gate without anyone verifying his identity.

'I'm doing a domestic flight in Australia - and nobody asks you for your boarding pass or an ID to enter,' he said in disbelief in the video.

'You just go straight to the metal detectors, you walk through and you're in the terminal... This is crazy.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Uptin explained that he was travelling between the two Australian cities for a wedding and to visit family, but found the airport check-in experience 'so weird' because it contrasts with places like the US, where you need a boarding pass just to enter a domestic airport terminal. 

In Australia, domestic passengers don't often get their IDs or boarding passes checked at security because of self-service check-ins. However, travellers are advised to always carry ID on domestic flights. 

The Australian Federal Police and aviation security may ask to see your ID if they suspect suspicious activity - including if you're travelling under a false name.

Curious, Uptin mused whether Aussie airports had deliberately designed the system to encourage visits to retail and hospitality outlets inside the terminal.

'If you live here, do you just come here for lunch and coffee?' he asked. 

'Like if there's a restaurant or shop you really like, you can just come in without having a boarding pass?'

Daily Mail understands that Sydney Airport – like all domestic terminals – operates under federal aviation security law. 

Accordingly, security screening at domestic terminals is mandatory, however showing a boarding pass at security is not a legal requirement for entry.

Airlines do check passengers' boarding passes at the gate before entry onto an aircraft.

Uptin's Instagram post quickly attracted hundreds of replies from Aussies who were stunned to learn that being able to enter a domestic terminal without a boarding pass wasn't the norm elsewhere.

Several responses to his social media video confirmed that not only was this permissible, but that it made for an enjoyable experience when seeing a loved one off on their flight, or when meeting someone who had just arrived.

'You don't have to be flying – go straight through all the security and go and meet any incoming friends or family,' one shared. 

'Wife and kids used to come to the lounge prior to me flying to see me off,' one dad confirmed.

'I love that my family can go to the gate with me,' another mother agreed.

'I go through security and head to the gate to meet people I know,' one person said. 'It makes things much easier, especially since they don't know how to get out of the airport.'

'Yes, great to pick your friends up right at the gate,' another said. 'One time, I went to catch up with a friend who had a three-hour layover at the domestic terminal business lounge.'

Furthermore, several confirmed Uptin's theory about non-flying locals sometimes going to the airport to make use of various dining options or simply take in the fantastic views of the planes coming and going.

'We live near the airport and do that all the time,' one person confirmed.

'We get there early to have a goodbye drink before I board,' another added.

'Sometimes my friend will come in and have coffee with me and a chat before I fly out,' another said.

One father explained that he 'used to take the kids to spend a day in the airport watching planes'.

Another agreed: 'Some people just like to watch the planes take off'.

However, a vast number of replies were quick to shut down Uptin's theory that Australian domestic airport terminals were a destination retail spot - simply because of the exorbitant prices.

'Nobody can afford to go to the airport for "lunch",' one person confirmed.

'Why would I go to the airport to pay three times more for the same food?' another added.

'Coffee at the airport is like eight bucks – so no, we don't go there for a coffee,' a third chimed in.

'In this economy? No! Sandwiches at the airport cost around $15,' one local explained.

'Sure. $18 pints are the best,' another sarcastically added.

On top of that, several explained that it wasn't just dining prices inflated at the airport, but also the parking costs.

'People never do this because of the cost of parking!' one Aussie confirmed.

Another agreed: 'Airport parking is so expensive – the same as food.'

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2026-05-06T02:14:26Z