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The average George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) TSA security wait times are nearly 10-15 minutes during the off-travel season, while during the peak holiday season, the waiting times may go up to 20-25 minutes.
This comprehensive guide provides live updates about the security wait time and the breakdown of all security processes available to ensure a seamless journey.
Live George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) TSA Security Wait Times
Below is the overview of the IAH security wait times live update. It is also a real-time update for the passengers that helps passengers plan their arrival at the airport smoothly and efficiently:
| IAH Security Wait Times Live | 18 Minutes |
| IAH TSA Wait Times Live | 7 minutes |
Average IAH Airport Security Wait Times
Understanding the IAH security wait times can help passengers schedule their visit accordingly for the departure:
| Time Range | Duration (M) |
|---|---|
| 05 am – 06 am | 25 Minutes |
| 06 am – 07 am | 17 Minutes |
| 07 am – 08 am | 26 Minutes |
| 08 am – 09 am | 16 Minutes |
| 09 am – 10 am | 34 Minutes |
| 10 am – 11 am | 12 Minutes |
| 11 am – 12 pm | 23 Minutes |
| 12 pm – 01 pm | 9 Minutes |
| 01 pm – 02 pm | 17 Minutes |
| 02 pm – 03 pm | 15 Minutes |
| 03 pm – 04 pm | 16 Minutes |
| 04 pm – 05 pm | 19 Minutes |
| 05 pm – 06 pm | 7 Minutes |
| 06 pm – 07 pm | 4 Minutes |
| 07 pm – 08 pm | 0 Minutes |
| 08 pm – 09 pm | 11 Minutes |
| 09 pm – 10 pm | 0 Minutes |
| 10 pm – 11 pm | 0 Minutes |
| 11 pm – 12 am | 0 Minutes |
Please note that there tends to be a higher security wait time during peak travel season: June to August, and September to November.
IAH TSA Precheck Wait Times
There are 9 security checkpoints all operated by the TSA PreCheck at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) The checkpoint hours are different for each terminal. Below is the overview of the IAH security wait times for TSA PreCheck:
| Time Range (AM Times) | Duration (mins) | Time Range (PM Times) | Duration (mins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 am – 3 am | 6.1 mins | 11 am – 12 pm | 17.1 mins |
| 3 am – 4 am | 0.0 mins | 12 pm – 1 pm | 12.4 mins |
| 4 am – 5 am | 14.3 mins | 1 pm – 2 pm | 17.1 mins |
| 5 am – 6 am | 23.4 mins | 2 pm – 3 pm | 19.8 mins |
| 6 am – 7 am | 26.4 mins | 3 pm – 4 pm | 12.4 mins |
| 7 am – 8 am | 21.0 mins | 4 pm – 5 pm | 20.6 mins |
| 8 am – 9 am | 18.4 mins | 5 pm – 6 pm | 21.6 mins |
| 9 am – 10 am | 13.4 mins | 6 pm – 7 pm | 9.8 mins |
| 10 am – 11 am | 14.3 mins | 7 pm – 8 pm | 10.0 mins |
| 8 pm – 9 pm | 28.1 mins | ||
| 9 pm – 10 pm | 0.0 mins |
Locations of TSA PreCheck Security Checkpoints
Here is the overview of the standard hours of operations for security checkpoints at IAH and its respective terminals:
| Terminal | Operating Hours | TSA PreCheck Hours | Expedited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal A North | 3:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. | 3:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | All Day |
| Terminal A South | 3:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. | N/A | All Day |
| Terminal B | 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | All Day |
| Terminal C North | 4:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. | 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | All Day |
| Terminal C South | 4:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. | N/A | N/A |
| Terminal D | 4:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. | N/A | N/A |
| Terminal E | Temporarily Closed | N/A | N/A |
| Federal Inspection Services (FIS) | 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | N/A | N/A |
Note: Expedited screening is available at all IAH security checkpoints and is free for Department of Defense, passengers 75 years and older, Children under 12 years of age, and for those who are enrolled for TSA PreCheck.
In the absence of TSA PreCheck, passengers will undergo expedited security screening. Expedited screening demands laptops and liquids to be removed from the hand luggage. Passengers undergone expedited security screening are not required to remove shoes and outer garments.
What are the types of expedited security screening available at Houston IAH Airport?
Expedited security at IAH Airport helps passengers abound the huge crowd, especially during the peak travel seasons. You can either enroll for CLEAR or TSA PreCheck whose checkpoints are available throughout the terminal at IAH Airport. Here is a brief overview:
TSA PreCheck
The expedited security screening program allows passengers not to remove their shoes, light jackets, and 3-1-1 compliant liquids from the carry-on bag. The enrolled passengers simply have to show the Known Traveler Number (KTN) and can utilize the TSA PreCheck lanes at security checkpoints.
How to enroll? – You must visit the TSA PreCheck enrollment center at Terminal C, Baggage Claim between 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. In addition:
- You need to provide your name, date of birth, fingerprints, valid identity, and other immigration/citizenship documentation. A one-time fee of 85 USD would be charged which comes with a 5-year membership.
CLEAR
It is the fastest way to go through the security screening. You can breeze past the long queue and go straight to the screening. This way you can minimize the IAH security wait times for an enhanced travel experience.
Here is the overview of all CLEAR locations at IAH Airport:
| Terminal | Sunday-Friday Hours | Saturday Hours | TSA Pre✓® Enrollment Through CLEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal A North | 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | 4:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Terminal A South | 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | 4:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | N/A |
| Terminal B | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | N/A |
| Terminal C | 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | 4:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Staying informed about IAH security wait times, and making enrollments with TSA PreCheck and CLEAR help you experience hassle-free travel and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
FAQs
Visit the official official George Bush Intercontinental Airport website to access real-time updates on IAH security wait times.
The average IAH TSA wait time is around 8-10 minutes. For general security, the wait time is 25-30 minutes.
TSA PreCheck is available at Terminals A, C, D, and E. The TSA PreCheck enrollment center is located at the Baggage Claim area, Terminal C.
For domestic flights, passengers must arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For international travel, passengers must arrive 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
Yes, passengers can enroll for CLEAR where they are not required to wait in a long queue. They need to simply surpass the queues and head straight to the screening zone.