A couple conducted an experiment to determine whether paying extra for fast-tracked security at a London airport was genuinely worth the expense. James and Chelsea, who share travel content on TikTok under the handle @cheapholidayexpert, decided to test the fast track security service at Stansted Airport.

According to Stansted Airport's website, fast track passes provide customers with access to the priority lane, enabling them to pass through the airport more quickly when queues form. Chelsea noted that opinions are divided, with some travellers swearing by the £6.99 fast track option, whilst others question its value.

To settle the debate, Chelsea opted for standard security, whilst James paid £6.99 for the fast track queue.

Chelsea said: "We were traveling on a Friday at midday so decided to test out whether Fast Track was worth the cost or not. Naturally, James went with the fancy premium service and I stuck with normal FREE security.

"I really thought this would be very straight forward, but allow us to question how much is worth paying for minutes saved but... that's not what happened because James got his bags pulled."

The duo had previously attempted this experiment, which resulted in Chelsea passing through security more quickly after James' bags were inspected. The identical scenario unfolded during their second trial, prompting Chelsea to wonder why this kept occurring.

She explained: "I actually think there is more reason why all of you do get pulled for security in fast track, that it may take you longer than normal... more families use this area with more items and therefore more chance of error in things being placed through security.

"When using fast track, sometimes they only have limited checking areas versus the amount of scanners If fast track is busy, the airport can opt to pull people into the normal queue which means it has potential to slow down a fast track user's journey should their bags get pulled.

"It was only a difference of a couple minutes, but James reckons we would have got out at exactly the same if he hadn't, so it's definitely £6.99 lost."

Fellow travellers took to the comments section to share their own experiences with airport fast track services.

One viewer remarked: "Fair comparison would be both being stopped or neither being stopped. Paying for fast track doesn't mean you're not gonna have stuffed check."

Another chimed in: "Fast track is hit or miss, but when the airport is busy and security is packed it's always a great feeling knowing you're beating them all."

A third commented: "I've been to Stansted many times and it's been packed and glad I paid fast track."