New York JFK · JFK
JFK TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at John F. Kennedy International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~2 min
- Average~10 min
- QuietestSunday around 11 PM
- BusiestFriday around 6 AM
JFK TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal 1 (New Terminal One): Terminal 1 Security — enhanced international screening, TSA PreCheck available
- Terminal 2: Terminal 2 Checkpoint — connected airside to Terminal 4
- Terminal 4: Terminal 4 Checkpoint — CLEAR and TSA PreCheck available, connects airside to Terminal 2
- Terminal 5: Terminal 5 Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck and CLEAR available
- Terminal 7: Terminal 7 Security Checkpoint
- Terminal 8: Terminal 8 Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck available
Look Up JFK Wait Times for Any Day & Time
JFK TSA Wait Time Heatmap — Minutes by Day & Hour
Standard-lane estimates in minutes. <5 5–11 12–21 22+
| Hour | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 6 |
| 5 AM | 14 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
| 6 AM | 23 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 24 | 16 |
| 7 AM | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 16 |
| 8 AM | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 9 |
| 9 AM | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| 10 AM | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| 11 AM | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| 12 PM | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| 1 PM | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| 2 PM | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| 3 PM | 15 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 |
| 4 PM | 15 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 11 |
| 5 PM | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 11 |
| 6 PM | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 10 |
| 7 PM | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
| 8 PM | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| 9 PM | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| 10 PM | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 11 PM | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
How to Get Through JFK Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at JFK is sunday around 11 pm. Avoid friday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at JFK are typically a fraction of standard. CLEAR skips the ID-check line entirely.
- Pack smart. Check our TSA Packing Guide to avoid delays from prohibited items. Have laptops and liquids easily accessible.
- Use mobile boarding passes and have your ID ready before reaching the checkpoint. This alone can save 2–5 minutes.
- Check live conditions on the MyTSA app ↗ and FAA delay map ↗.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical TSA wait times at JFK?
Standard screening at John F. Kennedy International Airport averages ~10 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 24+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at JFK?
The shortest lines are sunday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is JFK security busiest?
The busiest window is friday around 6 am, with waits around 24 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does JFK have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. John F. Kennedy International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does JFK have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including JFK offer CLEAR expedited identity verification. CLEAR members skip to the front of the document-check line, then proceed through standard or PreCheck physical screening.
How accurate are these JFK wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.