Dalaman Airport Tips: What to Expect When Flying Out

If you’re heading home or continuing your travels from Dalaman Airport, one thing I strongly recommend is arriving with plenty of time to spare. Out of all the airports I’ve travelled through, Dalaman Airport was by far the most security-focused. It’s a modern and efficient airport, but be prepared for a series of thorough checks before you board your flight.

Unlike many airports where you might only go through one or two screenings, Dalaman Airport has multiple layers of security and these are normal for the majority of travellers passing through.

When I flew out of Dalaman Airport, this is what the process looked like:

• Initial bag screening at the entrance
  Before you even reach the check-in desks, all luggage (both hold and hand) goes through an x-ray machine. This happens right at the terminal entrance and is your first introduction to the airport’s strict security process.
• Check-in and passport control
  After the initial scan, you’ll proceed as usual to check in and go through passport control. Even if you’ve checked in online, it’s still worth arriving early due to the time the other steps can take.
• Random security checks
  After passport control, some passengers are selected for random security checks. This could include additional questioning or a more detailed check of your hand luggage. It’s nothing to worry about, just part of the standard routine here.
• Full manual bag search
  Just before heading to the departure gate, all hand luggage went through another x-ray scan. Following this, security staff carried out a manual bag search for every passenger in my queue. They carefully removed each item from people’s bags, checked everything by hand, and then repacked it. It was one of the most thorough checks I’ve seen at any airport.
• Final boarding checks
  Once at the gate, there was another check of passports and boarding passes. In some cases, passengers were pulled aside for an additional bag inspection or personal security check just before boarding.

While this might sound like a lot, it was all carried out in an organised and professional way. Staff were calm and respectful, and most passengers seemed to expect the process. It didn’t feel stressful once I realised it was simply how things are done at Dalaman Airport.

My top tip? Arrive at least 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight to allow time for all of these checks, even if you’re not checking in any bags. The last thing you want is to be rushing through security and risk missing your flight due to delays at one of the many checkpoints.

So, don’t be alarmed when you find yourself going through more checks than you’re used to; It’s completely normal at Dalaman Airport. A bit of extra time and patience will go a long way, and once you’re through, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your journey.

You can find out more about the security checks and passenger procedures at Dalaman Airport here.

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