Washington Dulles Airport Security Wait Times Guide
IAD Flight Delays
Before setting off from Dulles Airport, it's advisable to check for any potential departure delays. Moreover, our user-friendly flight tracker is readily available, enabling you to monitor the status of your flight in real-time.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
There are three TSA Security Checkpoints: East, West, and TSA Pre✓™. All are accessed from the Departures - Ticketing/Check-In Level.
East Security Checkpoint
- Type: All passengers
- Hours: Daily, 3:45 AM to 10:30 PM
- CLEAR Hours: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
West Security Checkpoint
- Type: All passengers
- Hours: Daily, 4:45 AM to 9:00 PM
- CLEAR Hours: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
TSA Pre✓™ Checkpoint
- Type: TSA PreCheck only
- Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- CLEAR Enrollment Hours: 4:30 AM to 9:30 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 IAD
The TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program for travelers at participating airports, including Washington Dulles Airport (IAD). PreCheck members can enjoy benefits such as keeping their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as leaving their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at IAD:
- PreCheck is available at the IAD TSA Terminal PreCheck Only Checkpoint.
- 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 more detailed information on how to enroll in PreCheck, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at IAD:
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Air India
- Alaska Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Icelandair
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Porter Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Southern Airways Express
- Southwest Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Volaris
- Volaris El Salvador
iFly Tip: Get through security faster with tips from our wait times guide.
CLEAR Plus & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck help speed up your security process at IAD Airport 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 and bring your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete it 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:- East Mezzanine
- Standard: 4:30am - 9:30pm
- Main Terminal
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 4:30am - 9:30pm
- East Mezzanine
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:30am - 9:30pm
- Main Terminal
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:30am - 9:30pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Located on departures level near screening
For more details about the CLEAR program, including locations and available airports, visit the CLEAR Airport Security Guide.
How to Check IAD 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 IAD 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 IAD 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 Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), 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 through their online form at https://www.tsa.gov/form/lost-and-found. Be prepared to provide a comprehensive description of your item, including color and any unique features, to aid in its identification and recovery.
About IAD Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for Washington Dulles 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 IAD. 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 IAD. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Stay within airline rules by checking our carry-on regulations before you fly.
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 IAD
Terminal MAIN
Main 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 IAD:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive Washington Dulles airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the IAD restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the IAD 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 Chantilly area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with IAD airports' flight fares.
Washington Dulles Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport