Anchorage Airport Security Wait Times & ANC Queue Guide 2026

Anchorage Airport Security Wait Times Today

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport security wait time estimate below reflects the typical queue at the South Terminal Level 2 checkpoint for this hour, day of week, and season. ANC operates two separate terminals: the South Terminal for domestic flights (Concourses A, B and C, 24 gates) and the North Terminal for international and seasonal charter flights (Concourse N, 8 gates). Each terminal has its own security checkpoint. There is no airside connection between the two buildings. Domestic passengers departing from the South Terminal use the Level 2 checkpoint, where TSA PreCheck lanes are available. International passengers departing from the North Terminal use the upper-level checkpoint in that building. The estimates below reflect the South Terminal, where the vast majority of ANC passenger traffic flows year round.

How Long Is Security at Anchorage Airport?

Security wait times at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport depend on two variables: the time of day and the time of year. During the quiet midweek midday window from 11:00 to 15:00 in the winter and shoulder seasons, most passengers clear the South Terminal standard lane in 10 to 14 minutes. During the morning peak from 06:00 to 08:00, driven by Alaska Airlines departure banks, waits of 18 to 25 minutes are common in the standard lane. The late evening window from 19:00 to 22:00 is often the longest of the day, driven by red-eye departures to Seattle and other Lower 48 destinations, where waits can reach 20 to 28 minutes during peak weeks. Third-party tracking sources and the TSA’s own MyTSA data confirm that Sunday evenings around 19:00 produce the most acute queue conditions of the week at ANC.

The seasonal effect at ANC is more pronounced than at most US airports. Passenger volume in June, July and August is roughly double the October through April figure, and all baseline wait times increase substantially during those months. A standard lane morning peak wait that runs 22 minutes in February can reach 35 minutes or more in July on the same day of the week and at the same hour. This seasonal doubling of volume is a consistent pattern at ANC and the single most important factor to account for when planning your security buffer time in summer.

TSA PreCheck members at ANC typically clear the dedicated lane in under 8 minutes at most hours. As of February 1, 2026, the South Terminal checkpoint has deployed TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which uses facial comparison technology to verify your identity at the lane in seconds without needing to hand your ID to an officer. This further reduces the time spent at the identity check step for PreCheck members and is available automatically for enrolled travelers at the South Terminal checkpoint. CLEAR biometric lanes are not available at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

One important structural note: the two terminals at ANC have no airside connection. Each terminal has its own checkpoint, and passengers transferring between a North Terminal international arrival and a South Terminal domestic departure must exit security, walk or take the free shuttle between buildings, and re-clear security. During summer peak periods, this inter-terminal transfer can add 30 to 45 minutes to a connection depending on checkpoint conditions at the time. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for this transfer in summer.

Anchorage Airport Security and the 2026 Screening Setup

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport operates standard X-ray checkpoint screening at both the South Terminal and North Terminal checkpoints as of April 2026. CT scanner technology, which allows laptops to remain in carry-on bags during screening, has not been deployed at ANC. Passengers in the standard lane at ANC must remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their bags and place them in a separate bin. Shoes are no longer required to be removed in the standard lane following TSA’s national policy change on July 8, 2025, which eliminated mandatory shoe removal at all US airport checkpoints. This applies at ANC. The TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule remains in full effect: each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces or 100 ml or less, and all containers must fit inside a single clear quart-sized resealable bag placed in a bin.

TSA PreCheck members are exempt from the laptop and liquid bin requirements at ANC, which remains the most practical benefit of the program now that shoes are no longer required in standard lanes. REAL ID enforcement began at all US airport checkpoints on May 7, 2025. A REAL ID-compliant state ID or driver’s licence (marked with a star) or a valid US passport is required to pass through either ANC checkpoint. There is no TSA PreCheck enrollment center on site at ANC, so travelers who wish to enroll must do so at tsaprecheck.com or at an enrollment center at another location before their trip.

ANC has approved a 20-year master plan that includes significant security infrastructure upgrades. The first phase of checkpoint expansion is scheduled to commence in 2027, with initial lane additions planned by 2028. A B-Concourse expansion (the “B bump-out”) is also planned as part of the overall South Terminal modernization. None of these improvements affect the current checkpoint location or lane count in 2026. In April 2026, ANC also introduced self-driving Whill wheelchairs within the South Terminal secure zone, available to passengers after security for transport from the checkpoint to gates on request through Alaska Airlines during booking.

Anchorage Airport Security Checkpoint: What to Expect

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport has two terminals, each with its own security checkpoint. The South Terminal checkpoint is on Level 2, past the airline ticket counters, and serves all domestic gates across Concourses A, B and C. TSA PreCheck lanes are available at the South Terminal checkpoint. The North Terminal checkpoint is on the upper level of that building and serves all 8 international gates in Concourse N. There is no TSA PreCheck enrollment center at ANC, and CLEAR is not available at either checkpoint.

After clearing the South Terminal checkpoint, the secure zone opens into a network of three concourses. Concourse A is the closest to the checkpoint, Concourse B extends further and includes the Cinnabon at the far end, and Concourse C is the furthest wing. The maximum gate walk in the South Terminal from the checkpoint to the most remote gate is approximately 12 to 15 minutes on foot. In April 2026, self-driving Whill wheelchairs became available inside the South Terminal secure zone to assist passengers who need help reaching distant gates. After clearing the North Terminal checkpoint, gates N1 through N8 are arranged along a pier-shaped hallway with a walk of 4 to 7 minutes to the furthest gate.

South Terminal: Alaska Airlines and Domestic Carriers

North Terminal: International and Seasonal Flights

Anchorage Airport Security Peak Hours and Best Times to Fly

The two daily pressure windows at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport security are 06:00 to 08:00 (morning departure banks) and 19:00 to 22:00 (red-eye departure buildup). The late evening window is often longer than the morning peak because Alaska Airlines and other carriers concentrate their Seattle red-eye and overnight departures in this window, and the checkpoint volume builds steadily through the evening. On Sundays during summer, this evening window can produce the worst queues of the entire week at ANC.

The seasonal pattern is the defining characteristic of ANC security. June through August sees passenger volume roughly double compared to October through April. During summer peak, all daily queue estimates increase by 50 percent or more at the South Terminal checkpoint. A Tuesday morning in January and a Tuesday morning in July are entirely different experiences at ANC security, even at the same hour. The quietest windows at ANC are 11:00 to 15:00 on weekdays year round and before 06:00 on any day. In winter and spring, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in midday represent the most relaxed combination available at ANC. January, February and March are the months when ANC security runs its shortest queues of the year.

Add approximately 50 percent to all figures during June, July and August. Summer Sunday evenings (19:00 to 22:00) represent the peak of the year.

Anchorage Airport Priority Security: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Priority security at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport runs through one program: TSA PreCheck. CLEAR biometric lanes are not available at ANC. There is no airline-managed priority security lane at ANC and no paid per-trip priority pass option. The Alaska Lounge and Atwood Military Courtesy Lounge do not include access to a separate security lane. The one meaningful way to move through the South Terminal checkpoint materially faster is TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry membership provides PreCheck as an included benefit at no additional cost.

Recommended Arrival Times at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The official ANC airport FAQ states that TSA recommends arriving three hours before your flight or even earlier during busy periods such as summer and holidays. For domestic departures from the South Terminal, two hours is the common traveler standard, but the official TSA recommendation of three hours reflects the real conditions at ANC during peak periods. The South Terminal check-in counters, the Level 2 checkpoint, and the gate walk to Concourse C can together consume 30 to 45 minutes even without an unusual queue. For travelers checking bags, add 15 minutes for bag drop at the relevant airline counter. During summer peak, the parking lots can fill during peak morning hours, adding additional time if you are driving.

For international departures from the North Terminal, three hours before departure is the correct baseline. International carriers including Japan Airlines and Korean Air may have their own check-in cutoff times of 60 to 90 minutes before departure that reduce the available buffer further. Check your carrier’s specific requirements before planning your arrival time for a North Terminal international departure.

Getting to ANC: the airport is located 5 miles southwest of downtown Anchorage. The Municipality of Anchorage People Mover Bus Route 40 serves both the South and North terminals from the downtown Transit Center, running every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. The journey from downtown takes approximately 20 minutes. A taxi or rideshare from downtown costs around $20 to $25 and takes 10 to 15 minutes outside of peak traffic. A cell phone waiting area is available in the DOT-PF Central Region Headquarters parking lot adjacent to the airport on weekdays from 7:30 a.m., with 15 spots for passenger pickup. Parking options include the South Terminal Garage (closest, covered, sky bridge on Level 3), the Long Term Lot, the North Terminal Lot, and the Park, Ride and Fly economy lot at around $9 per day with a free shuttle. All lots can fill during summer peak morning departures.

When Should I Leave for Anchorage Airport? Calculator

Enter your flight departure time and travel details below to get a recommended time to be inside the ANC terminal. The calculator factors in the typical South Terminal security wait at your departure hour and season, gate walk time, bag drop time and a safety buffer.

Tips to Beat Anchorage Airport Security Queues

A few practical steps can meaningfully reduce your time at the ANC checkpoint regardless of when or how you are flying.

• Enroll in TSA PreCheck before your next ANC flight. CLEAR is not available at ANC, making PreCheck the only dedicated program lane at the South Terminal. At $78 for five years, any traveler passing through ANC more than twice a year is losing meaningful time in the standard lane, particularly during summer peak when standard waits can exceed 30 minutes at the morning and evening pressure windows. Enroll at tsaprecheck.com before your trip; there is no enrollment center on site at ANC.
• Account for the summer peak if flying between June and August. This is the single most important planning factor at ANC. Add a minimum of 30 extra minutes to any security estimate during summer peak months. The checkpoint processes double the passenger volume of winter on the same number of lanes. Arriving at the terminal 2.5 hours before departure is the right call for any domestic summer flight without PreCheck.
• Avoid the 19:00 to 22:00 window in the standard lane if possible. The late evening red-eye buildup at ANC is often the worst queue of the day, driven by Alaska Airlines and other carrier overnight departures to the Lower 48. If your flight is in this window and you do not hold PreCheck, arriving at the checkpoint by 18:30 puts you ahead of the main evening surge. After 19:00, the queue builds steadily and stays elevated until around 22:00.
• Laptops still need to come out of your bag. ANC uses standard X-ray screening, not CT scanners. Pack your laptop in a position where it is easy to pull out quickly at the conveyor. Placing it in the top layer of your carry-on or in a dedicated sleeve reduces the time you spend reorganizing at the screening table and avoids slowing others behind you.
• Pack liquids in your checked bag where possible. The 3-1-1 rule applies fully at ANC. Removing a liquids bag from your carry-on adds time at the conveyor. Checking a bag or transferring liquids to checked luggage eliminates this step from your security experience entirely. If you are carrying on only, prepare your liquids bag at home so it is in an accessible outer pocket.
• Allow extra time if connecting between the North and South terminals. There is no airside connection between the two ANC terminals. If you are arriving internationally at the North Terminal and departing domestically from the South Terminal, you must clear US Customs, exit security, travel between buildings, and re-clear the South Terminal checkpoint. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for this transfer during summer peak, longer if the South Terminal checkpoint has a queue when you arrive.
• Check the MyTSA app before you leave home. The MyTSA app provides checkpoint-level wait time estimates for ANC. Checking 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to depart allows you to adjust your arrival time if the morning or evening surge is running longer than the typical pattern. This is especially useful during summer peak when conditions at the South Terminal can change rapidly.
• Plan for parking in summer. The South Terminal Garage, Long Term Lot and economy Park, Ride and Fly lot can all fill during peak summer morning departures. The free shuttle from the Park, Ride and Fly lot adds 5 to 10 minutes to your terminal arrival time. Check parking availability at dot.alaska.gov/anc before leaving home and allow an additional 15 minutes if parking is uncertain. People Mover Route 40 from downtown eliminates parking uncertainty entirely.
• Use airline apps for mobile boarding passes and check-in. Alaska Airlines has eliminated boarding pass kiosks at ANC; use the Alaska Airlines app to retrieve your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport. Delta, United, American and Southwest passengers can also use their apps for mobile boarding passes. Having your boarding pass ready on your phone reduces landside processing time before you reach the checkpoint and avoids a trip to a check-in counter just to obtain a pass.

Anchorage Airport Layout and Terminal Overview

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC/PANC) is located 5 miles southwest of downtown Anchorage, Alaska, at 5000 W International Airport Rd. The airport is owned and operated by the Alaska International Airport System and serves as Alaska’s busiest passenger airport, handling 5.3 million passengers in 2024, a figure representing over 11 percent year-over-year seat capacity growth into the first half of 2026. ANC is also North America’s second busiest cargo airport and one of the five busiest cargo hubs in the world, owing to its position approximately 9.5 hours by air from 90 percent of the industrialized world. The airport’s three primary runways can accommodate any aircraft type.

The passenger terminal layout divides into two separate buildings connected by a covered landside walkway and a free shuttle bus. The South Terminal is the larger building, housing three concourses (A, B and C) with 24 gates and serving all domestic flights. The South Terminal has three levels: Level 1 for baggage claim, taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles, Level 2 for check-in counters, the security checkpoint and all boarding gates, and Level 3 for mezzanine seating and exhibits including Alaska Native art galleries and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. The Alaska Lounge and Atwood Military Courtesy Lounge are also located within the South Terminal building. The North Terminal, built in 1982, handles international arrivals and seasonal departures across 8 gates in Concourse N. It has its own three-level structure with customs, baggage claim, check-in and gate areas. For the complete terminal layout, concourse maps and navigation guide, see our Anchorage Airport map and terminal guide.