Philadelphia PHL Airport Security Wait Times

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) TSA Security Wait Times Information

Philadelphia TSA Wait Times

Wondering what the Philadelphia Airport wait times are at any given time? According to a 24/7 Wall St article, the average PHL airport security wait times are around 17 minutes. If you have TSA PreCheck, it drops to around 5 minutes.

COVID-19 DELAYS

NOTICE: The TSA has made adjustments to its protocols in several major US Airports, including Philadelphia Airport.  In some cases the agency has closed off several checkpoints, resulting in much longer wait times.  As these changes related to the Coronavirus are not predictable, it is advised to budget more time to make your flight. 

PHL Flight Delays

Before you head to the airport, keep yourself informed of PHL delays by checking PHL Arrival Delays, PHL Departure Delays, or use iFly's PHL Flight Tracker. Having knowledge of Philadelphia International Airport delays will help with stress-free travel.

Philadelphia Airport Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours

There are a total of 6 security checkpoints at PHL. The TSA security checkpoints are located at the entrance of the terminals. After TSA screening, passengers have access to all terminals without exiting and re-entering security. Passengers may go through any checkpoint. TSA PreCheck is available at Terminal A-East, Terminal C, and Terminal D/E. Terminal C is PreCheck ONLY. See hours for each checkpoint location below:

TSA Checkpoint Terminal A-West

Gates: A16-A26

Type: All passengers, No TSA PreCheck

Hours: Daily, 5:15 AM to 9:20 PM

TSA Checkpoint Terminal A-East

Gates: A2-A15

Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck

Hours: Daily, 3:30 AM to 8:25 PM (TSA Pre closes at 8 PM)

TSA Checkpoint Terminal B

Gates: B1-B16

Type: All passengers, No TSA PreCheck

Hours: Daily, Open 24 Hours

TSA Checkpoint Terminal C

Gates: C17-C31

Type: TSA PreCheck ONLY

Hours: Daily, 4:15 AM to 8:00 PM

TSA Checkpoint Terminal D/E

Gates: D1-E17

Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck

Hours: Daily, 3:45 AM to 9:00 PM (TSA Pre closes at 8 PM)

TSA Checkpoint Terminal F

Gates: F1-F39

Type: All passengers, No TSA PreCheck

Hours: Daily, 4:15 AM to 8:55 PM

TSA PreCheck at PHL

PHL TSA Pre lanes can be found at Terminal A-East, Terminal C and Terminal D/E. 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.

PHL 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 PHL flight - there’s an enrollment center in the Philadelphia International Airport in Terminal B American Airlines baggage carousel A. According to the TSA, the enrollment center is open from 8:00AM to NOON and 1:00PM to 5:00PM from Monday - Friday.

TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy expedited screening at PHL, 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 PHL Security Wait Times

Security wait times at Philadelphia International Airport are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.

PHL TSA wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for Philadelphia PHL 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 PHL. 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.