Chicago O'Hare Airport Security Wait Times Guide
ORD Flight Delays
Prior to starting your journey from Chicago O'Hare, it's strongly advised to check for any potential departure delays. In addition, our user-friendly flight tracker is available for your convenience, enabling you to monitor your flight status in real-time.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
Here are the locations and operating hours for security checkpoints at the airport.
BNA Main Checkpoint
- Location: Central terminal
- Type: All passengers, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus Members
- Hours: Daily, starting at 3:30 AM for All passengers and TSA PreCheck. CLEAR Plus Lanes operate from 4:30 AM - 7:00 PM.
North Ticketing Lobby
- Location: North Ticketing Lobby
- Type: Enrollment Only for CLEAR Plus Membership
- Hours: Daily, from 4:30 AM - 7:00 PM
South Ticketing Lobby
- Location: South Ticketing Lobby
- Type: Enrollment Only for CLEAR Plus Membership
- Hours: Daily, from 4:30 AM - 7:00 PM
See information below for CLEAR Plus 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 ORD
The TSA PreCheck program allows travelers to enjoy expedited security screening at participating airports, including Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD). As part of this program, members can leave their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and keep laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at ORD:
- PreCheck is available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 in Terminal 1, Checkpoint 5 in Terminal 2, and Checkpoints 7A and 8 in Terminal 3.
- This service is designed for select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
Learn More About TSA PreCheck:
- For detailed information on how to enroll in the PreCheck program, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at ORD:
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air Choice One
- Air France
- Air India
- Alaska Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Copa Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- EVA Air
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Finnair
- Frontier Airlines
- Icelandair
- Interjet
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Volaris
- WestJet
iFly Tip: Discover the easiest way to obtain a gate pass with tips from our gate pass page.
CLEAR Plus & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
At ORD Airport, CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck help you move through security faster using biometric authentication and advanced technology. You can enroll in CLEAR Plus and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR enrollment locations. Start your enrollment online, then visit a CLEAR location with your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the process in person. Enroll in TSA PreCheck now. You can choose TSA PreCheck alone or bundle it with CLEAR Plus at a discount.
CLEAR Lane Locations:- Terminal 1
4:30am - 8:00pm - Terminal 2
4:30am - 8:00pm - Terminal 5
4:30am - 8:00pm
- Terminal 1
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:30am - 8:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 6:00am - 8:00pm
- Located on departures level near security checkpoint
- Terminal 2
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:30am - 8:00pm
- Terminal 5
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:30am - 8:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 6:00am - 8:00pm
- Located on the Departures level near security checkpoint entrance.
For more details about the CLEAR program, including available locations and airports, visit the CLEAR Airport Security Guide.
How to Check ORD 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 ORD 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 ORD 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 Chicago OHare Airport (ORD), 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 ORD Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for Chicago O'Hare 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 ORD. 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 ORD. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Learn about the regulations that govern cockpit operations for safe flights in our cockpit safety protocols.
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 ORD
Terminal 1
Checkpoint 2
Terminal 2
Checkpoint 5
Terminal 3
Checkpoint 7A
Checkpoint 8
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 ORD:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive Chicago OHare airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the ORD restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the ORD airport facility is to use an off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals.
- 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.
- The next time you need to fly from the Chicago area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with ORD airports' flight fares.
Chicago OHare Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport