St Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) TSA Security Wait Times Information
STL Airport, with its two terminals, would be considered a "medium sized" airport relative to other airports in the United States. As this is the case, getting through security is pretty straight forward. In addition to "standard" security clearance, the airport also features the optional TSA Pre and CLEAR services. More detail can be found below.
Get CLEAR Expedited Security at St. Louis Airport!
STL Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR will save you time and stress in St. Louis Lambert security lines. See below for TSA/CLEAR hours for enrollment and screening.
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Maps, Airlines & Amenities
Lambert St Louis Airport (STL) 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 STL:
- 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.
STL Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, keep yourself informed of STL delays by checking STL Arrival Delays, STL Departure Delays, or use iFly's STL Flight Tracker. Having knowledge of STL airport delays will help with stress-free travel.
Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
STL is a medium sized airport, so it has only 3 TSA checkpoints, 2 for Terminal 1 and one for Terminal 2. Monday mornings tend to be the most crowded, especially for very early flight departures. So, if you have one of the first flights of the day, it is best to be there earlier so you can get through security.
Terminal 1
A Gates: 4:00 am – 8:30 pm (Air Canada, Delta, United and charter flights)
CLEAR Lane and Enrollment for Standard and PreCheck travelers: 4:00 am - 8:00 pm
C Gates: 3:45 am – 9:30 pm (Air Choice One, Alaska, American, Cape Air and Frontier)
CLEAR Lane and Enrollment for Standard and PreCheck travelers: 4:00 am - 8:00 pm
Terminal 2
E Gates: 3:30 am – 10 pm (Serving Southwest and international charter arrivals)
CLEAR Lane for PreCheck-eligible travelers: 4:00 am - 8:00 pm
CLEAR Lane and Enrollment for Standard security travelers: 4:00 am - 8:00 pm
TSA PreCheck
Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. Passengers should carefully check their Boarding Pass. The TSA randomly assigns passengers Pre-Check privileges.
STL TSA Pre✓™ enrollment center is located in Terminal 1 on the Ticketing Level (near the MetroLink and Entrance #2). Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am - 11:30am and 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
About STL Security Wait Times
Security wait times at St. Louis Airport are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.
STL TSA wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for St. Louis 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 STL. 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.