After arrival, as well as prior to a flight taking off, there are a number of procedures to finish at Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport/ATL for which security wait times vary. They consist of check-in, security, boarding, and customs. ATL security wait times indicate how long these procedures take to complete. Accordingly, one can come to the airport and execute the required processes for air travel. By enrolling in TSA, CLEAR, and other programs, one can reduce the security wait time when required.
Average Security Wait Times at Atlanta Airport (ATL)
The average wait times at ATL Airport are up to or around 30 minutes. This is usually observed when the passenger volume is high. On the other hand, when the volume of passengers is low, the duration can be reduced to 15 or 20 minutes.
| AM | Wait Time Duration | PM | Wait Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 AM – 1 AM | 3-5 Minutes | 12 PM – 1 PM | 22 Minutes |
| 1 AM – 2 AM | 0 Minute | 1 PM – 2 PM | 16 Minutes |
| 2 AM – 3 AM | 6-8 Minutes | 2 PM – 3 PM | 10 Minutes |
| 3 AM – 4 AM | 15 Minutes | 3 PM – 4 PM | 13-15 Minutes |
| 4 AM – 5 AM | 22/23 Minutes | 4 PM – 5 PM | 12 Minutes |
| 5 AM – 6 AM | 17 Minutes | 5 PM – 6 PM | 11 Minutes |
| 6 AM – 7 AM | 10 Minutes | 6 PM – 7 PM | 10 Minutes |
| 7 AM– 8 AM | 25 Minutes | 7 PM -8 PM | 5 Minutes |
| 8 AM– 9 AM | 16 Minutes | 8 PM – 9 PM | 8-10 Minutes |
| 9 AM– 10 AM | 15 Minutes | 9 PM – 10 PM | 4 Minutes |
| 10 AM– 11 AM | 5 Minutes | 10 PM – 11 PM | 18 Minutes |
| 11 AM– 12 PM | 23 Minutes | 11 PM – 12 PM | 12 Minutes |
ATL Security Wait Time & Zones
Atlanta Airport security wait times are divided into 5 zones. Depending on these, the duration of processes is determined.
| Zones | Timing (In Minutes) |
|---|---|
| Green Zone | 0 to 15 Minutes |
| Yellow Zone | 15 to 30 Minutes |
| Orange Zone | 30 to 45 Minutes |
| Purple Zone | 45-60 Minutes |
| Red Zone | 60 minutes or more |
Atlanta Airport Security Wait Times
ATL Airport Security wait times at Domestic and International Terminals can differ from one another due to flight locations. The maximum Atlanta Airport wait time is 1 hour.
Domestic Terminal Security Wait Times
| Location at Domestic Terminal | Wait Time (In Minutes) |
|---|---|
| North Checkpoint | 11 Minutes |
| South PreCheck (Only Checkpoint) | 13 Minutes |
| Main Checkpoint | 13 Minutes |
| Lower North Checkpoint | 18 Minutes |
International Terminal Security Wait Times
At the Main Checkpoint of the ATL International Terminal, the security wait time is around 6 minutes.
TSA Wait Times at ATL Airport
| Location at the Domestic Terminal | Type of Screening Program | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| North | Standard and Priority Screening | 03:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. |
| South | TSA PreCheck and CLEAR | 04:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. |
| Main | Standard Screening | 24 hours |
| Lower North | CLEAR Standard and Standard Screening | 03:30 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. |
| Location at the International Terminal | Screening Category | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| International Terminal (Departures) | Standard Screening | 04:30 A.M. to 12:00 A.M. |
| TSA PreCheck | 07:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.02:00 P.M. to 07:00 P.M. |
Customs Wait Times at ATL Airport
ATL or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport security wait times for customs is 1 hour or more. To reduce this duration, it is preferable to enroll in either of the 2 available programs.
- Automated Passport Control Program/APC
- MPC/Mobile Passport Control
ATL Airport CLEAR Security Wait Times at Domestic Terminal
| Domestic Terminal North (Standard) | 04:30 A.M. to 08:00 P.M. |
| Domestic Terminal South | 04:30 A.M. to 09:00 P.M. |
The average wait time at ATL Airport is under an hour. However, multiple factors, including the number of fliers and the time of the day, can influence the same. In this regard, before departure/after arrival, one must begin all flight-related procedures well in advance to avoid long waiting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
For domestic connecting flights at Atlanta Airport, the wait time is around 35 to 45 minutes.
From 03:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., the TSA checkpoint is open at ATL Airport North-side.
There are 5 wait time zones available at ATL Airport. These include the Green, Red, Yellow, Purple, and Orange zones.
Yes, at the ATL Airport Domestic Terminal, the CLEAR security checkpoint is available.
The red zone at ATL Airport indicates high traffic. Therefore, the security wait time extends up to 1 hour. Occasionally, it can be more than 1 hour too.
Yes, usually, when flying internationally to or from ATL Airport, one has to wait longer for security procedures to be completed.