Hate lines at the airport? Pay to make them go away

Long lines are the bane of the airline passenger’s existence, especially during peak holiday travel. A cascade of them, from check-in to security to boarding, and then through immigration and customs clearance, isn’t just annoying: These lines can make you miss your flight, especially if navigating an unfamiliar airport, and more so if you arrive with little time to spare before takeoff, or if your connection is tight. Even “fast lane” departure and arrival lines, meant for business- and first-class passengers, when and where offered, provide no panacea. Lines are the great leveler, like death. You may have flown to London in first-class but end up waiting in the same queue as the poor guy in the middle seat at the back of the plane by the lavatory. Here are some of the ways you can shorten the wait, or even eliminate waiting altogether.