JFK Airport Security & TSA Wait Times - Current Delays, Peak Hours & Tips

The JFK Airport security wait times are around 18-22 minutes during peak travel times between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. However, the expected wait time varies with the terminal as well. For instance, Terminal 4 is an international terminal that operates major global carriers, and has higher security wait times at JFK than any domestic terminal.

Average Security Wait Times at JFK Airport

The average security times at JFK airport are 14-20 minutes, as they may extend up to 18-35 minutes during peak travel seasons. The JFK TSA wait times for early morning departures between 5-8 AM stand at 24 minutes, as this is the peak time for business travelers. To beat the long queue,  go for an early morning flight or a late-night/red-eye flight, and these are considered the best times to clear TSA at JFK. 

JFK Airport TSA Wait Times

Terminal-wise TSA wait times at JFK vary for all 5 terminals. For instance, Terminal 4 at JFK has a wait of 6-36 minutes, with the wait for TSA PreCheck being around 1-11 minutes. The TSA wait times at JFK Terminal 4 are always higher than expected (average 15-25 minutes) due to a larger volume of international passengers.

TSA Security Checkpoints at JFK Airport

Each terminal at JFK has dedicated TSA security checkpoints that open several hours before departure. Below is the location of where these TSA checkpoints are located at the following terminals 

• Terminal 1, level 3

• Terminal 4, level 4

• Terminal 5, level 3

• Terminal 7, level 2

• Terminal 8, level 3

Travelers who are making an inter-terminal transit for their upcoming departures have to go through the security screening again before they board the flight. 

JFK Airport Customs Wait Times

For arriving passengers, the JFK Airport customs wait times are around 25-33 minutes. It is roughly 40% higer than the basic norm in the United States. 

The estimated current wait time at JFK Terminal 4 is showing around 11 minutes.

The JFK Airport immigration wait times remain high for non-citizens, particularly in the evenings. For expedited services like Global Entry and Mobile Passport, the JFK TSA wait times are reduced to 12-15 minutes. 

How to Contact JFK Airport For Security Wait Times

To understand security wait times and receive real-time updates, travelers can contact JFK Airport by phone or access their social media handles. 

Wait Times For Expedited Security at JFK Airport

John F Keneddy International Airport offers ways to speed up the security screening and reduce wait time at the airport. These services are more streamlined and help skip the long queues associated with standard security screening. 

• TSA PreCheck - It offers faster screening and features a dedicated lane, ensuring a faster transition while boarding the flight. The TSA PreCheck is available on Terminals 1, 5, 7, and 8. For registered enrolees, the TSA PreCheck wait times at JFK may be reduced to 10 minutes. Keep the Known Traveler Number (KTN) handy, as it is mentioned on the boarding pass. Alternatively, can use Toucheless ID for non-metric screening. Keep a valid government-issued photo ID handy. 

• Clear Plus - Clear Plus verifies the passengers’ identity with biometrics (fingerprint or retina scan). The dedicated lanes are available at Terminal 4 near the Delta Check-in counter. Clear Plus is beneficial if bundled with TSA PreCheck, which offers faster access to the physical screening. It offers priority access to the screening lanes. The Clear security time at JFK Airport is around 10-12 minutes. 

• RESERVE - RESERVE is available specifically on Terminal 4 and offers expedited screening for free. The virtual booking is available up to 72 hours before any traveler get to the airport. The screening service is available daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. RESERVE slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

With 60 million passengers traveling every year to the John F kennedy International Airport, it's essential to keep updated about the JFK terminal security wait times. Also, for arriving passengers, it is important to keep a tab on customs wait times, and is tend to be higher on weekdays, especially for non-US citizens.