Midway International Airport (MDW) TSA Security Wait Times Information
How early do you need to arrive at Chicago Midway Airport to be in time for your flight? Check out the information on this page, it will help you find the best answer to this question for your flight!
Get CLEAR Expedited Security at Midway Airport! Also use at ORD!
MDW Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR will save you time and stress in Chicago Midway Airport security lines. See below for TSA/CLEAR hours for enrollment and screening.
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Maps, Airlines & Amenities
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) Terminals
Helpful Tips & 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 help you on your journey specific to MDW:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive terminal map to navigate to your gate, and see all the restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the airport facility is to use on off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals. Reserve here.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi and get caught up on those emails.
- Lose something while in the terminal area? Find the contact info you need for lost & found here.
- If your flight is arriving to the airport from another city and need a quick way to get to your destination, give a call to one of these taxi or limo service providers.
MDW Airport Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
There is one main security checkpoint that services concourses A, B and C gates for Midway International Airport. After TSA screening, passengers have access to all concourses without exiting and re-entering security. TSA PreCheck is available at the Main Terminal.
MDW TSA Checkpoint Main Terminal
Concourse: A, B, C
Type: All passengers, TSA PreCheck
Hours: Daily, 3:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Pre Check Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Midway Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, keep yourself informed of MDW delays by checking MDW Arrival Delays, MDW Departure Delays, or use iFly's MDW Flight Tracker. Having knowledge of Midway International Airport delays will help with stress-free travel.
CLEAR Lanes
Don’t get stuck in a long MDW airport security line! Midway now features CLEAR expedited security screening in the Main Terminal, which is open for screening and enrollment.
TSA PreCheck at MDW
MDW TSA Pre lanes can be found at the main terminal security checkpoint. As the TSA operates these special checkpoints, the hours may be different from the terminal operating hours. See the TSA Pre schedule the specific hours for the date and time you are traveling.
MDW TSA wait times can be cut down considerably if you participate in the TSA Pre program. You can even sign up for TSA PreCheck before your next MDW flight - while there isn’t an enrollment center located in the Midway International Airport, check out the Enrollment Center Locator, to find the most convenient location for you.
TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy expedited screening at MDW, and in most cases you don’t have to remove your: shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. For more information and to enroll/pre-enroll, visit the TSA website.
About MDW Security Wait Times
Security wait times at Midway International Airport are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.
MDW TSA wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for Midway MDW Airport are projected, that barring extreme outliers, are within five minutes in accuracy, as validated by large US airlines. The TSA urges all travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of scheduled flight departures and has provided security checkpoint wait time information as a guide to assist in travel planning. Please be sure to check with your airline for ticket counter wait times as well as possible changes to flight schedules, as these and other factors influence your decision regarding how early to arrive at MDW. Please be aware that each airline has a recommended arrival time and even stricter required arrival times.
All airlines require that you arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and even onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time. The amount of the advance arrival time required varies depending on the airline you are using. Most airlines' conditions of carriage state that with many of their tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time may cause you to be denied boarding and cause you to forfeit any refund or other compensation due for the unused ticket even if you have advance seat assignments and advance boarding passes.