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IAH Security Wait Times Houston Intercontinental Airport

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Houston Intercontinental Airport Security Wait Times Guide

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IAH Security Wait Times Topics:

When flying out of Houston (Bush) Airport, knowing the TSA security wait times can make your trip smoother. This article covers essential tips for checking those wait times, helping you plan your arrival and navigate security efficiently. You'll also find information on services like CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck that can expedite your security process.

For more detailed information on IAH Airport, including maps, flight tracking, and amenities, visit the iFly page for Houston Intercontinental Airport.

Travel Easy with 2 Months Free at Houston Airport

Make your time at Bush Airport (IAH) smoother with CLEAR+. Speed through security and cut your wait times. CLEAR+ lanes are available at three security checkpoints: Terminal A North, Terminal A South, and Terminal D.

Sign up for your 2 Months Free trial of CLEAR+ today. Get started now.

REAL ID at Houston Intercontinental Airport (Effective May 7, 2025)

Starting May 7, 2025, all travelers 18 and older must present a REAL ID‑compliant license or another TSA‑accepted ID to clear security at IAH.

More info about REAL ID requirements »

iFly Tip: Find out what to pack for your kids to ensure a smooth flight by visiting our Flying with Children page.

IAH Flight Delays

Before embarking on your journey from Houston Airport, we strongly recommend you to verify any possible departure delays. Additionally, our easy-to-use flight tracker is at your disposal, allowing you to keep an eye on your flight status in real-time.

Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours

Get details on security checkpoints, their locations, and operating hours. Information for CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck enrollment is provided below.

IAH TSA Terminal A North Checkpoint

  • Location: Gates A1, A2 and A3A-H
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM

IAH TSA Terminal A South Checkpoint

  • Location: Gates A17-A20 and A24-A30
  • Type: All passengers
  • Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 8:00 PM

IAH TSA Terminal C North Checkpoint

  • Location: Gates C1-C12, C14, C15
  • Type: TSA PreCheck, Premier Access, and Global Services passengers
  • Hours: Daily, 4:15 AM - 10:00 PM

IAH TSA Terminal C South Checkpoint

  • Location: Gates C29-C37 and C39-C45
  • Type: All passengers
  • Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM

IAH TSA Terminal D Checkpoint (International)

  • Location: Gates D1-D12
  • Type: All passengers
  • Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM (next day)

See information below for CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck (via CLEAR) enrollment hours and locations.

All data is subject to change by the Airport, TSA, CLEAR, or other authorities.

TSA PreCheck at IAH

TSA PreCheck is a service that provides expedited security screening for travelers at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and other participating airports. TSA PreCheck members can enjoy the convenience of not having to remove their shoes, light outerwear, and belts during security checks. Additionally, they can keep their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags.

Where to Use TSA PreCheck at IAH:

  • PreCheck is available at the IAH TSA Terminal A North Checkpoint, Terminal B Checkpoint, and Terminal C North Checkpoint.
  • The service is primarily for frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.

Learn More About TSA PreCheck:

Participating Airlines at IAH:

  • Allegiant Air
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Southwest Airlines

iFly Tip: Get through security faster with tips from our wait times guide.

CLEAR+ & TSA PreCheck Enrollment

With CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck at IAH Airport, you can speed through security using biometric authentication and advanced technology. Travelers can enroll in CLEAR+ and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR+ enrollment locations. Begin your enrollment online and arrive at the enrollment location with your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the final steps in person.

Enroll in TSA PreCheck now. Enrollment can be for TSA PreCheck alone or bundled with CLEAR+ at a discount.

CLEAR+ Lane Locations:
  • Terminal A North
    • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:00pm
    • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
  • Terminal A South
    • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
    • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
  • Terminal B
    • Temporarily closed due to construction
  • Terminal C
    • Standard:
    • Temporarily closed due to construction
Enrollment Locations:
  • Terminal A North
    • CLEAR+ Enrollment:
      • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:00pm
      • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
    • TSA PreCheck® Enrollment:
      • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
      • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
  • Terminal A South
    • CLEAR+ Enrollment:
      • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
      • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
  • Terminal B
    • CLEAR+ Enrollment:
      • Temporarily closed due to construction
  • Terminal C
    • CLEAR+ Enrollment:
      • Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
      • Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
    • TSA PreCheck® Enrollment:
      • 6:00am - 7:00pm
      • Located on Level 2 at the United Airlines checkpoint. Look for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+signage.

For more detailed information about the CLEAR+program, including locations and other airports where the service is available, visit our CLEAR+Airport Security Guide.

How to Check IAH Airport Security Wait Times

Follow these three simple steps to check security wait times on this page:

Step 1: Find the Checkpoint Times section. Scroll to the bottom of the page or click the “Check Wait Times” button in the IAH Average Checkpoint Times widget.

Step 2: Choose your arrival time. Use the dropdown menu to select when you plan to reach security.

Step 3: View estimated wait times. The site will display the average wait time for your selected period.

Tips for Using Wait Times

  • Wait times are estimates: Actual conditions may vary due to crowd levels and security delays.
  • Arrive early during peak hours: Security lines are often longer in the mornings and around holidays.
  • Check the official airport site: Some airports provide real-time security wait times for each checkpoint. Visit IAH Airport’s official website and search for "security wait times" to see if this feature is available.

Lost Items at TSA Checkpoints

If you've lost an item at a TSA checkpoint or in checked baggage at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), you should promptly contact the airport's Lost and Found. For detailed information and to report your lost item, you can reach the TSA Lost Items Contact at TSA Lost and Found Form. Be prepared to provide a comprehensive description of your item, including color and any unique features, to aid in its identification and recovery.

About IAH Security Wait Times

The security wait times shown for Houston Intercontinental Airport are computed using a comprehensive examination of historical flight records and TSA staffing timetables. Utilizing sophisticated data evaluation techniques, various 3rd party services, and publicly available data sets to offer fairly precise estimates of wait times at IAH. However, it's important to realize that these estimates may vary due to unforeseen incidents. The TSA advises passengers to get to the airport well before their planned flight departure time.

We strive to assist you in your travel preparations by delivering reliable estimates of security checkpoint wait times. We also recommend contacting your airline for information on ticket counter wait times and any potential changes to your flight schedule. These factors should be taken into account when deciding when to arrive at IAH. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.

iFly Tip: Stay within airline rules by checking our carry-on regulations before you fly.

About this Page: Please note that while we strive to keep the content on this page current and accurate, we cannot guarantee it due to the ever-changing nature of airports and airlines; for more details about our data and practices, refer to our Trust & Transparency statement. To report any data issues, use our feedback form.

TSA Pre Check at IAH

AVAILABLE

Terminal A

A North Checkpoint
OPEN

Terminal C

B Checkpoint
OPEN
C North Checkpoint
OPEN
E Checkpoint
OPEN

Tips, Help & Resources

iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can assist you during your journey specific to IAH:

Houston Intercontinental Airport wait times Q&A

Scroll down to the Checkpoint Times section or click the "Check Wait Times" button and select your arrival time.
- Terminal A North: 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM- Terminal A South: 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM- Terminal C North: 4:15 AM – 10:00 PM- Terminal C South: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM- Terminal D (International): 4:30 AM – 1:00 AM (next day)
TSA PreCheck works at Terminal A North, Terminal B, and Terminal C North.
You do not remove shoes, light outerwear, or belts, and you can keep laptops and compliant liquids in your bag.
CLEAR+ lanes are available at Terminal A North, Terminal A South, and Terminal C. They use biometric verification to speed up the process.
Visit the enrollment locations:- Terminal A North: CLEAR+ (Sun-Fri 4:00 AM–7:00 PM, Sat 4:00 AM–6:00 PM) and TSA PreCheck (Sun-Fri 4:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 4:00 AM–6:00 PM)- Terminal A South: CLEAR+ (Sun-Fri 4:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 4:00 AM–6:00 PM)- Terminal C: TSA PreCheck on Level 2 at the United Airlines checkpoint and CLEAR+ (Sun-Fri 4:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 4:00 AM–6:00 PM)
Wait times can increase during mornings and holiday periods. Check the current estimates close to your trip.
They use historical flight data and staffing schedules. Changes in crowd levels may affect actual times.
Use the TSA Lost Items Form online and provide a detailed description of your item.
Verification of wait times and enrollment details can help you plan your arrival. Check the page before heading to the terminal.