Reagan National Airport (DCA) TSA Security Wait Times Information
Because of its location near the center of US Government, security at Reagan can be a bit slower than other airports. Be sure to plan ahead for this especially at peak times. More information about delays and checkpoints can be found below.
Get CLEAR Expedited Security at Reagan Airport!
DCA Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR will save you time and stress in Reagan security lines. Note that you can also use CLEAR at Washington Dulles Airport. See below for TSA/CLEAR hours for enrollment and screening.
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Maps, Airlines & Amenities
Reagan National Airport (DCA) Terminals
DCA Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, be sure to check DCA Arrival Delays, DCA Departure Delays, or use iFly’s DCA Flight Tracker.
DCA Airport Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
There are 4 TSA security checkpoints at Reagan Airport. Passengers must use the security checkpoint that is associated with the airline designated terminal/gate. The hours shown below are subject to change:
DCA Terminal A Checkpoint
Gates: 1 - 10
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Opens daily 4:30 AM
TSA Pre Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM
CLEAR (Lane and Enrollment): 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
DCA Terminal B South Checkpoint
Gates: 10 - 22
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM, or until last scheduled departure
TSA Pre Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM
CLEAR (Lane and Enrollment): 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
DCA Terminal B/C Center Checkpoint
Gates: 23 - 34
Type: All passengers
Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM, or until last scheduled departure
TSA Pre Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM
CLEAR (Lane and Enrollment): 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
DCA Terminal C North Checkpoint
Gates: 35 - 45
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM, or until last scheduled departure
TSA Pre Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM
CLEAR (Lane and Enrollment): 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
CLEAR Lanes
Reagan Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening at all security checkpoints. You can also use CLEAR to get out of the airport faster - at the Hertz Rental Car Center “Fast Lane”. You can check out when CLEAR lanes are open at DCA above.
TSA PreCheck at DCA
DCA TSA Pre Lanes can be found at all security checkpoints. 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.
DCA 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 DCA flight - there’s an enrollment center located next to baggage claim 6 in Terminal B/C. According to the TSA, the enrollment center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed holidays).
TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy reduced DCA airport wait times, 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 Reagan Airport Wait Times
DCA Airport TSA wait times shown on this site are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.
DCA security wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, DCA airport security wait times 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 Reagan National airport security wait times as a helpful 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 DCA. 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.