Airport Security Wait Times

How we collect wait time data

We aggregate multiple public and proprietary data sources, updated every minute, to give you the most accurate picture of current wait times. Our coverage spans 40+ airports across the US and internationally.

Immigration and customs data covers 46 US airports. Since this data runs 2-3 days behind, we use it to surface patterns — which day and hour tend to be busiest — rather than a live number.

Tips for getting through airport security faster

• Get PreCheck or Global Entry— Shaves 5-10 minutes off most lines. Global Entry also speeds up customs when you land internationally. It's $78 for five years — worth it after a single trip.
• Check before you leave the house — Lines swing wildly during the day. The 5-7 AM rush and the 4-6 PM wave are usually the worst. A quick check here can save you from showing up during peak chaos.
• Pick the shorter checkpoint — Big airports like JFK, ATL, and ORD have multiple security lines, and the wait times can be very different. We break it down by checkpoint so you can pick the fastest one.
• Have your stuff ready— Boarding pass and ID out before you get in line. If you don't have PreCheck, pull laptops and liquids out of your bag while you wait — you'll breeze through.