Houston Intercontinental Airport Security Wait Times Guide
IAH Flight Delays
Before embarking on your journey from Houston Airport, we strongly recommend you to verify any possible departure delays. Additionally, our easy-to-use flight tracker is at your disposal, allowing you to keep an eye on your flight status in real-time.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
Get details on security checkpoints, their locations, and operating hours. Information for CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck enrollment is provided below.
IAH TSA Terminal A North Checkpoint
- Location: Gates A1, A2 and A3A-H
- Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
- Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
IAH TSA Terminal A South Checkpoint
- Location: Gates A17-A20 and A24-A30
- Type: All passengers
- Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 8:00 PM
IAH TSA Terminal C North Checkpoint
- Location: Gates C1-C12, C14, C15
- Type: TSA PreCheck, Premier Access, and Global Services passengers
- Hours: Daily, 4:15 AM - 10:00 PM
IAH TSA Terminal C South Checkpoint
- Location: Gates C29-C37 and C39-C45
- Type: All passengers
- Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM
IAH TSA Terminal D Checkpoint (International)
- Location: Gates D1-D12
- Type: All passengers
- Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM (next day)
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 IAH
TSA PreCheck is a service that provides expedited security screening for travelers at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and other participating airports. TSA PreCheck members can enjoy the convenience of not having to remove their shoes, light outerwear, and belts during security checks. Additionally, they can keep their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at IAH:
- PreCheck is available at the IAH TSA Terminal A North Checkpoint, Terminal B Checkpoint, and Terminal C North Checkpoint.
- The service is primarily for frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
Learn More About TSA PreCheck:
- For more information on how to enroll in TSA PreCheck, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at IAH:
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
iFly Tip: Save time at the airport by reading our airport wait times tips.
CLEAR Plus & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
With CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck at IAH Airport, you can speed through security using biometric authentication and advanced technology. Travelers can enroll in CLEAR Plus and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR enrollment locations. Begin your enrollment online and arrive at the enrollment location with your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the final steps in person.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck now. Enrollment can be for TSA PreCheck alone or bundled with CLEAR Plus at a discount.
CLEAR Lane Locations:- Terminal A North
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- Terminal A South
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- Terminal B
- Temporarily closed due to construction
- Terminal C
- Standard:
- Temporarily closed due to construction
- Terminal A North
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment:
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Terminal A South
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Terminal B
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Temporarily closed due to construction
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Terminal C
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
- Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 8:00pm
- Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment:
- 6:00am - 7:00pm
- Located on Level 2 at the United Airlines checkpoint. Look for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR signage.
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
For more detailed information about the CLEAR program, including locations and other airports where the service is available, visit our CLEAR Airport Security Guide.
How to Check IAH 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 IAH 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 IAH 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 Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), 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 IAH Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for Houston Intercontinental 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 IAH. 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 IAH. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Streamline your airport experience by following our carry-on tips for quick security clearance.
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 IAH
Terminal A
A North Checkpoint
Terminal C
B Checkpoint
C North Checkpoint
E Checkpoint
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 IAH:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive Houston Intercontinental airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the IAH restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the IAH 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 Houston area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with IAH airports' flight fares.
Houston Intercontinental Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport