Chicago Midway Airport Security Wait Times & MDW Queue Guide 2026
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW/KMDW) security wait times by hour and lane type. Queue estimates for the single main checkpoint, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR pricing, automated screening technology status, peak hours driven by Southwest morning banks, and the quietest windows at MDW, the largest Southwest Airlines operating base in the United States, which served over 22 million passengers in 2024.
Chicago Midway Airport Security Wait Times Today
The Chicago Midway Airport security wait time estimates below show the typical MDW queue for this hour and day of week. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW/KMDW) operates a single main security checkpoint located on the expanded 80,000 square foot security pavilion spanning Cicero Avenue between the terminal building and the three concourses. Unlike multi-checkpoint airports, every passenger at MDW passes through one shared checkpoint regardless of airline or concourse. Once through security, Concourses A, B and C are all reachable on foot through the Central Market hub without re-clearing. Security wait times vary substantially by time of day and lane type. The standard lane sees its heaviest queues during Southwest flight bank peaks, which concentrate between 05:30 and 08:00 on every day of the week. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes run in parallel and typically clear in a fraction of the standard lane time at the same hour.
How Long Is Security at Chicago Midway Airport?
Security wait times at Chicago Midway Airport depend almost entirely on what time you arrive. The checkpoint is the same one for every passenger at MDW, so the time of day and the status of Southwest flight banks are the two primary variables. During the quiet midday window from 10:00 to 15:00, most passengers clear the standard lane in 10 to 14 minutes. During the morning Southwest flight bank peak from 05:00 to 08:00, queues of 25 to 35 minutes are common in the standard lane, with waits occasionally reaching 45 minutes or more on the busiest travel days. The afternoon and early evening peak from 16:00 to 19:00 can approach similar levels, particularly on Fridays and Sundays when return traffic peaks. The airport’s own information and available checkpoint data consistently identify these two windows as the pressure points at MDW.
TSA PreCheck members at MDW typically clear the dedicated PreCheck lane in under 5 minutes at most hours. PreCheck operates daily from 04:00 to 08:30. CLEAR members get the fastest experience at the mezzanine level of the main checkpoint: CLEAR handles the identity verification step at a biometric kiosk, sending you directly to the physical screening area, while combining it with PreCheck means the physical screening itself is handled without shoe removal or bag unpacking. Together the two programs reduce a 30-minute standard lane peak wait to under 5 minutes in most cases. Note that there is no TSA PreCheck enrollment center at Chicago Midway Airport; if you plan to enroll before travel, do so at another nearby location.
One structural advantage MDW has over most US airports is that there is genuinely no wrong checkpoint to enter. There is only one. Once past security, all three concourses are walkable through the Central Market hub without any re-screening. Passengers flying Southwest on Concourse A gates who want to grab food from Concourse B before boarding can do so without any security complication. For connections between far-end gates on Concourses A and B, allow 15 to 20 minutes. The Concourse B moving walkways help cover that distance.
Chicago Midway Airport Security and the Modernization Program
The most significant infrastructure change affecting the security experience at Chicago Midway Airport was the completion of the $400 million Midway Modernization Program in 2020. The centerpiece of the program was a complete rebuild of the security checkpoint: the pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue was widened from 50 feet to nearly 400 feet, creating an 80,000 square foot security pavilion that doubled throughput capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 passengers per hour. New automated screening lanes were installed as part of the rebuild, placing MDW among a small number of US airports to adopt the automated divesting and bin return technology at that time. The wider bridge also added escalators, elevators and improved access for passengers arriving from the ground level terminal.
The concessions component of the Modernization Program added more than 70 new dining and retail locations throughout the terminal and Central Market, replacing a concessions footprint that had not been updated in nearly 20 years. Many of those openings were phased through 2024 and 2025. The parking garage received new elevators, updated lighting and a cashierless payment system. The program was funded through Chicago Department of Aviation revenues without direct cost to taxpayers.
Ongoing work at MDW through 2025 and 2026 is focused airside rather than terminal-side. The $47 million rehabilitation of Runway 13C/31C began in June 2025, led by K-Five Construction Corporation with federal funding support through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The work involves repaving the runway and intersecting taxiways, upgrading airfield geometry to current federal standards, and installing new runway guard lights and an emergency access road. The project is being designed and managed to avoid disruption to passenger flight operations. Runway 13L/31R, which had been closed since 2023, was permanently decommissioned on 12 June 2025 as part of these related changes. Terminal restroom renovations and roof replacement work are also in progress through 2026 under the airport’s five-year capital plan, with no material impact on checkpoint operations.
Chicago Midway Airport Security Checkpoint Overview
Chicago Midway International Airport has one main security checkpoint, located on the expanded pedestrian bridge that spans Cicero Avenue between the terminal building on the east side of the avenue and the three concourses on the west side. The checkpoint is open daily from 03:30 to 23:00. TSA PreCheck lanes operate within the checkpoint from 04:00 to 08:30. CLEAR is available at the mezzanine level of the same structure. After clearing security, passengers enter the Central Market area, a large central hub with shops, restaurants and seating from which all three concourses extend. Concourse A is to the left, Concourse B directly ahead, and Concourse C to the right. All post-security concourse walking is on foot; there is no people mover or shuttle at MDW between concourses.
The one-checkpoint design is MDW’s biggest practical advantage for passengers: there is no risk of queuing through the wrong checkpoint and having to exit and re-enter, which adds 15 to 25 minutes at airports where multiple separate secure zones exist. Every airline at MDW uses the same checkpoint. However, the single checkpoint is also MDW’s most acute pressure point, as Southwest’s morning flight banks concentrate all of that carrier’s early departure traffic into the same queue in the same 90-minute window. The automated screening lanes and the doubled throughput capacity from the Modernization Program have meaningfully reduced the worst-case peak waits compared to the pre-2020 checkpoint, but peak-period standard lane waits of 25 to 35 minutes remain typical on busy mornings.
Concourse A (Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Volaris)
3 to 8 minutes from the Central Market to Concourse A gates. Most A gates are a short walk from the security exit. Gates A4A and A4B are located down a separate walkway and are the furthest gates on the concourse, requiring extra time. If your gate is A4A or A4B, allow an additional 3 to 5 minutes beyond the standard walk estimate and grab coffee at the fuel bar near those gates rather than the Central Market.
Concourse A has 17 gates numbered A1 to A3, A4A, A4B, A5, A7, A9 to A12 and A14 to A19. Southwest operates the majority of gates here. Frontier Airlines offers domestic routes from Concourse A. Volaris serves Mexican destinations, including Guadalajara and Mexico City, making Concourse A the international departure point for that carrier. International arrivals, including Volaris flights arriving from Mexico, are processed through the customs and border protection facility accessible from the lower level of Concourse A. The Concourse A food court is one of the larger post-security dining areas at MDW. The Battle of Midway exhibit, a permanent installation honoring the WWII naval battle the airport is named after, is located near Concourse A and is worth a brief visit. Southwest does not operate a branded lounge at MDW as of April 2026; the only post-security lounge option accessible to Southwest passengers is The Club MDW in the Central Market.
Concourse B (Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines)
4 to 12 minutes from the Central Market to Concourse B gates. The concourse extends directly ahead from the security exit and is the longest at MDW. Two moving walkways help cover the distance toward the far end of Concourse B. Far-end gates in the B20s can take the full 10 to 12 minutes from the Central Market. For connections between far-end Concourse A or C gates and far-end Concourse B gates, allow 15 to 20 minutes, accounting for the full walk length.
Concourse B has 23 gates numbered B1 to B3, B5, B7 to B12 and B14 to B26. It is the largest concourse at MDW in terms of gate count and handles the bulk of Southwest Airlines’ operations alongside Delta, Allegiant and Avelo. The Club MDW, a Priority Pass and day-pass accessible lounge, is located near gate B1 at the intersection of Concourses A, B and C in the Central Market. It is the primary lounge option at MDW for passengers without carrier-branded lounge access. The USO Lounge in the Central Market is available to active duty military personnel and their families. Delta Air Lines operates from Concourse B and connects MDW to its Atlanta hub and other Delta network points. Delta Sky Club members will not find a branded Delta lounge at MDW; the nearest Delta Sky Club is at O’Hare. Delta passengers can use The Club MDW subject to their own lounge access benefits.
Concourse C (Delta Air Lines, Porter Airlines)
2 to 3 minutes from the Central Market to any Concourse C gate. Concourse C is the smallest at MDW with just three gates and is the quickest walk of any concourse post-security. If your airline uses Concourse C and your connection time is tight, the gate walk itself adds almost no risk to your schedule. The primary time variables for C gates are the security queue and any bag drop processing on the landside.
Concourse C has 3 gates, C1 to C3. Delta Air Lines and Porter Airlines are the two carriers operating from this concourse. Porter Airlines’ service from MDW to Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) is the primary international scheduled service at Chicago Midway Airport from the Concourse C side. Porter passengers on the Toronto route require a valid passport and should allow 3 hours before departure rather than the standard 2-hour domestic recommendation, as international check-in and document processing add time on the landside before security. Concourse C is to the right of the Central Market after clearing security. Despite its compact size, it shares the same post-security dining and retail access as Concourses A and B through the Central Market hub. Delta passengers assigned to Concourse C gates rather than Concourse B gates face the same short walk and the same single checkpoint as all other MDW travelers.
Chicago Midway Airport Security Peak Hours and Best Times to Fly
The two busiest windows at Chicago Midway Airport security are 05:00 to 08:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. Southwest Airlines operates over 229 daily departures from MDW, more than from any other US airport in the Southwest network, and banks its morning departures heavily. This creates sustained pressure at the single MDW checkpoint from around 05:30 on every day of the week, with the sharpest concentration between 06:00 and 08:00. The standard lane at this hour commonly sees waits of 25 to 35 minutes. On the busiest days of the week, including Fridays and Sundays during peak travel months, that window can extend to 40 minutes or more in the standard lane. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members are largely insulated from this pressure and typically clear in under 5 minutes at any hour.
The quietest windows at Chicago Midway Airport are 10:00 to 15:00 on weekdays and after 20:00 on any day. A Tuesday or Wednesday midday departure during a non-holiday period is the most relaxed combination available at MDW. The very early window from 03:30 to 05:00, when the checkpoint first opens, is also extremely quiet but builds sharply once Southwest morning operations begin around 05:30. The busiest months of the year at MDW are July, August and December, reflecting leisure and holiday travel peaks. Thanksgiving week and the Christmas and New Year period generate the longest queues of the year and warrant an additional 30 to 45 minutes beyond standard arrival recommendations.
| Time of Day | Typical MDW Security Wait (Standard Lane) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 03:30 to 05:00 | Under 8 min | Quiet |
| 05:00 to 06:00 | 12 to 18 min | Moderate |
| 06:00 to 08:00 | 25 to 35 min (longer on holidays) | Peak |
| 08:00 to 09:00 | 16 to 22 min | Busy |
| 09:00 to 10:00 | 12 to 16 min | Moderate |
| 10:00 to 15:00 | 10 to 14 min | Quiet |
| 15:00 to 16:00 | 14 to 18 min | Moderate |
| 16:00 to 19:00 | 20 to 35 min | Busy |
| 19:00 to 20:00 | 13 to 18 min | Moderate |
| 20:00 to 23:00 | 8 to 13 min | Quiet |
| 23:00 to 03:29 | Checkpoint closed | Closed |
Chicago Midway Airport Priority Security: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
Priority security at Chicago Midway Airport runs through two main programs: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. There is no terminal-specific paid priority pass at MDW. Delta Sky Priority, Southwest A-List status and Frontier Elite status all provide boarding benefits but do not include separate security lanes at MDW beyond TSA program lanes. The two main ways to move through Chicago Midway Airport security materially faster are TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
Recommended Arrival Times at Chicago Midway Airport
The TSA and Chicago Midway Airport recommend arriving at least 2 hours before domestic flights and at least 3 hours before international flights. For MDW, the 2-hour domestic recommendation accounts for ground transport from the Chicago metro area, check-in or bag drop, security and the gate walk to your concourse. MDW is directly accessible via the CTA Orange Line, which runs from downtown Chicago’s Loop to the Midway CTA station adjacent to the terminal in approximately 25 minutes at a flat fare of $2.50. Orange Line trains run from approximately 04:00 to 01:00 daily, with trains every 8 to 10 minutes during peak hours and less frequently late at night. This makes the Orange Line the most predictable transport option for travelers worried about road traffic, particularly on Monday and Friday peak hours when I-55 into Chicago carries heavy congestion.
When Should I Leave for Chicago Midway Airport? Calculator
Enter your flight details below to get a recommended time to be inside the MDW terminal. The calculator factors in the typical Chicago Midway Airport security wait at your departure hour, gate walk time to your concourse, bag drop time and a safety buffer.
Tips to Beat Chicago Midway Airport Security Queues
A few practical decisions can significantly reduce your time in the MDW security queue regardless of which concourse your flight uses.
- Enroll in TSA PreCheck before your next MDW flight. At $78 for five years, PreCheck is the most cost-effective security upgrade at Chicago Midway Airport. Any passenger who flies more than twice a year and does not hold PreCheck is losing significant time at the checkpoint, particularly during the 05:30 to 08:00 Southwest morning peak when standard lane waits routinely reach 30 minutes or more. Note that there is no PreCheck enrollment center at MDW itself; complete enrollment at a nearby location before your travel date.
- Use CLEAR to eliminate document check delays. CLEAR is confirmed at the MDW main checkpoint mezzanine level and operates from 04:00 to 20:00. Combined with PreCheck, it reduces a peak-period security experience to under 5 minutes. Delta SkyMiles members receive a discounted CLEAR membership rate. Check clearme.com for current operating hours before travel.
- Avoid the 05:30 to 08:00 window in the standard lane. The Southwest morning bank generates the most acute standard lane queues of any window at MDW on every day of the week. If your Southwest flight departs at 07:00 and you do not hold TSA PreCheck, arriving at the checkpoint by 05:00 puts you ahead of the main wave. After 05:30, the standard lane at the main checkpoint fills quickly.
- Take the CTA Orange Line to remove traffic uncertainty. The Orange Line from downtown Chicago’s Loop to Midway CTA station takes approximately 25 minutes at a flat fare of $2.50 and is not subject to I-55 or I-294 congestion. For Monday and Friday rush hours when road access to MDW carries the most unpredictability, the Orange Line is significantly more reliable than a taxi or rideshare estimate.
- Check flychicago.com/midway or the MyTSA app before you leave. The official airport site and the MyTSA app both provide security wait time information for MDW. Checking 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to leave for the airport allows you to adjust your departure if the morning peak is running longer than usual.
- Know your concourse before you arrive. Although MDW has one checkpoint for all concourses, knowing whether your gate is in Concourse A, B or C helps you plan your post-security time. Far-end Concourse B gates take 10 to 12 minutes from the security exit. Gates A4A and A4B require an extra 3 to 5 minutes beyond the standard Concourse A walk. Concourse C gates are 2 to 3 minutes from the Central Market.
- Pack liquids in your checked bag where possible. The 3-1-1 rule applies at the MDW checkpoint. Removing the liquid step speeds up the automated lane process and reduces the chance of your bag being pulled for secondary screening, which adds unpredictable time to any queue.
- Check in online and use mobile boarding passes. Southwest allows mobile check-in beginning 24 hours before departure, and checking in at exactly T-24 hours is important for Southwest as it determines your boarding group. Delta, Frontier, Allegiant and Porter also support mobile boarding passes via their apps. Completing check-in online reduces landside processing time before the security queue.
- Allow extra time if you have a tight domestic connection through MDW. Although all concourses connect post-security without re-screening, the walk from the far end of Concourse A to the far end of Concourse B takes 15 to 20 minutes. If you have a connection with less than 45 minutes between landing and your next departure, check the gate assignment on the arrivals board and move quickly.
Chicago Midway Airport Layout and Concourse Overview
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW/KMDW) is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles from the city’s Loop business district. It served over 22 million passengers in 2024, making it the second-busiest airport in both the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois. MDW is the largest operating base for Southwest Airlines globally, with Southwest carrying over 90 percent of all MDW passenger volume. Five other carriers, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, Porter Airlines, Avelo Airlines and Volaris, serve the remainder across roughly 80 domestic and 11 international destinations. The airport is governed by the Chicago Department of Aviation and occupies a single square mile bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets and Central and Cicero Avenues in the Clearing and Garfield Ridge neighbourhoods.
The terminal complex, completed in 2001 and significantly upgraded through the $400 million Midway Modernization Program completed in 2020, consists of a main terminal building on the east side of Cicero Avenue connected to three concourses via the expanded security pavilion bridge. Concourse A has 17 gates and serves Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Volaris. Concourse B has 23 gates, is the longest concourse at MDW and serves Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air and Avelo Airlines. Concourse C has 3 gates and serves Delta Air Lines and Porter Airlines, including Porter’s international service to Toronto. All three concourses share a single secure zone accessible from the one main checkpoint on the pedestrian bridge. Once post-security, the Central Market hub connects all three concourses on foot. The CTA Orange Line provides direct rail service to downtown Chicago’s Loop in approximately 25 minutes from the Midway CTA station adjacent to the terminal. For the full concourse layout, gate assignments and navigation guide, see our Chicago Midway Airport map and terminal guide.
Chicago Midway Airport Security: FAQ
How long is security at Chicago Midway Airport in 2026?
Security wait times at Chicago Midway Airport vary by time of day and lane type. MDW operates a single main security checkpoint on the pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue serving all three concourses. During the quiet midday window from 10:00 to 15:00, most passengers clear the standard lane in 10 to 14 minutes. During the morning peak from 05:00 to 08:00 and the afternoon and evening peak from 16:00 to 19:00, waits of 25 to 35 minutes are common in the standard lane. Southwest Airlines morning flight banks drive the most acute pressure between 05:30 and 08:00. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members typically clear in under 5 minutes. Holiday travel periods push wait times well above typical levels. The MyTSA app and the official airport site at flychicago.com/midway provide checkpoint-level estimates for MDW.
What are TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at Chicago Midway Airport and how do they work?
TSA PreCheck costs $78 for a five-year membership and gives access to dedicated express lanes at the MDW main checkpoint where you keep on shoes, belts and light jackets and leave laptops and liquids in your bag. PreCheck lanes operate daily from 04:00 to 08:30. Most PreCheck members clear in under 5 minutes. CLEAR costs $189 per year with discounts for Delta SkyMiles members and certain credit card benefits. CLEAR uses biometric identification to verify your identity at a kiosk on the mezzanine level of the main checkpoint, letting you skip the document check queue and go directly to physical screening. CLEAR operates from 04:00 to 20:00 at MDW; confirm hours at clearme.com before travel. The two programs can be combined for the fastest experience. There is no TSA PreCheck enrollment center at MDW; complete enrollment at another location before your travel date. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost and is useful for international travelers using Concourse A customs facilities on return.
When is Chicago Midway Airport security busiest?
The two busiest windows at Chicago Midway Airport are the morning peak from 05:00 to 08:00 and the afternoon and early evening peak from 16:00 to 19:00. Southwest’s morning flight bank drives sustained pressure from around 05:30 on every day of the week. Southwest carries over 90 percent of all MDW passenger volume. Fridays, Mondays and Sundays are consistently the most congested days. July, August and December are the busiest months. Thanksgiving week, the Christmas and New Year period, Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend all generate waits well above the daily average. The quietest windows are 10:00 to 15:00 on weekdays and after 20:00 on any day. Tuesdays and Wednesdays during midday represent the most relaxed combination at MDW.
What time should I arrive at Chicago Midway Airport?
For domestic flights from Chicago Midway Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For international flights, including Porter Airlines to Toronto and Volaris to Mexico, arrive at least 3 hours before departure. During peak holiday travel periods, add 30 to 45 minutes to both recommendations. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members can reduce the domestic recommendation to around 90 minutes during off-peak periods. Unlike multi-checkpoint airports, MDW has one shared checkpoint for all concourses. Gate walk times range from 2 to 3 minutes for Concourse C to 10 to 12 minutes for far-end Concourse B gates. The official MDW wait time information is at flychicago.com/midway and the MyTSA app.
Does Chicago Midway Airport have advanced screening technology?
Yes. The MDW main security checkpoint was rebuilt as part of the $400 million Midway Modernization Program completed in 2020. The new 80,000 square foot security pavilion includes automated screening lanes with advanced divesting and bin return technology deployed by the TSA, placing MDW among a small number of US airports to adopt this equipment at that time. The TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule still applies at Chicago Midway Airport regardless of lane type: containers must be 3.4 ounces or 100ml or less and fit in a single clear quart-sized resealable bag. TSA PreCheck members can leave liquids and laptops in their bag during screening. Follow TSA officer instructions at the checkpoint as requirements can vary by lane. Pack liquids in checked baggage where possible to eliminate this step from your security experience entirely.
Which concourse does my airline use at Chicago Midway Airport?
Chicago Midway Airport has three concourses accessible from the single main checkpoint. Concourse A (17 gates) serves Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Volaris. Concourse B (23 gates) serves Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air and Avelo Airlines. Concourse C (3 gates) serves Delta Air Lines and Porter Airlines, including Porter’s international service to Toronto. Southwest accounts for over 90 percent of all MDW passengers and operates from both Concourses A and B. Once through the single checkpoint, all three concourses connect through the Central Market hub without any re-screening, which is a significant advantage for domestic connections at MDW. International arrivals including Volaris flights process through customs and border protection on the lower level via Concourse A.
Does Chicago Midway Airport have a live security wait time display?
Yes. Chicago Midway Airport provides security wait time information through the official airport site at flychicago.com/midway. The MyTSA mobile app also provides checkpoint-level wait time estimates for MDW and is a useful real-time reference. Southwest Airlines displays estimated MDW security wait times in its app for passengers using Concourses A and B. Delta Air Lines provides wait time estimates for its passengers. Display screens throughout the MDW terminal show current checkpoint conditions and flight information.
Does Chicago Midway Airport have priority security for business class passengers?
Chicago Midway Airport does not have a separately managed airline priority security lane beyond the TSA program lanes. Business class and first class ticket holders who hold TSA PreCheck membership use the PreCheck lane at the MDW main checkpoint. CLEAR, confirmed at the mezzanine level of the main checkpoint, gives the fastest identity verification experience regardless of ticket class. Delta Sky Priority provides priority check-in and boarding benefits at Concourses B and C but does not include a separate security lane. Southwest Airlines does not operate a premium cabin. Frontier Elite and Allegiant loyalty status similarly provide boarding benefits but not separate security access. There is no paid per-trip priority pass at MDW. Passengers without PreCheck or CLEAR in any cabin class queue in the standard lane at the single MDW checkpoint.
How does Chicago Midway Airport security compare to O'Hare?
Chicago Midway Airport has a structural advantage over O’Hare for most passengers: one security checkpoint serving all three concourses through a single unified secure zone. At O’Hare, passengers must identify the correct terminal and checkpoint for their airline, and moving between certain terminals requires exiting security and re-clearing. At MDW, one checkpoint handles every airline at the airport, and all three concourses connect through the Central Market post-security without any re-screening needed for domestic connections. MDW is also physically more compact, with the longest gate walk to the far end of Concourse B at around 10 to 12 minutes. Peak pressure at MDW is driven almost entirely by Southwest morning flight banks between 05:30 and 08:00. O’Hare sees broader peak pressure across more carriers across a longer daily window. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available at both airports.