TSA wait times

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026

Photo: Perry Bishop / Unsplash

Atlanta Airport (ATL) TSA Wait Times

Security at Atlanta (ATL) is busiest from 1 to 5 pm and quietest after 9 pm on a typical Sunday, based on TSA checkpoint counts for the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026.

ATL's checkpoints are in the Domestic Terminal (Main, North, Lower North and South) and the International Terminal. The Domestic Main checkpoint is open 24 hours, and South is for TSA PreCheck only.

Typical Friday, 7–8 am · ATL time

BUSY

100% of ATL's busiest hour

MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026

ATL's official live wait times

ATL security lines by hour

How busy ATL's checkpoints typically are in each hour, as a share of the airport's busiest hour (median of the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026). Busy is above 70%, Moderate 40–70%, Quiet below 40%. Hours are ATL local time.

ATL security by hour on Sundays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 28% of peak, Quiet5a: 57% of peak, Moderate6a: 79% of peak, Busy7a: 94% of peak, Busy8a: 86% of peak, Busy9a: 78% of peak, Busy10a: 58% of peak, Moderate11a: 48% of peak, Moderate12p: 74% of peak, Busy1p: 87% of peak, Busy2p: 95% of peak, Busy3p: 91% of peak, Busy4p: 82% of peak, Busy5p: 73% of peak, Busy6p: 72% of peak, Busy7p: 67% of peak, Moderate8p: 45% of peak, Moderate9p: 27% of peak, Quiet10p: 12% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Sunday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am651%Quiet
1–2 am591%Quiet
2–3 am881%Quiet
3–4 am6128%Quiet
4–5 am2,20928%Quiet
5–6 am4,47557%Moderate
6–7 am6,20079%Busy
7–8 am7,33294%Busy
8–9 am6,71186%Busy
9–10 am6,11178%Busy
10–11 am4,56058%Moderate
11 am–noon3,73448%Moderate
noon–1 pm5,76174%Busy
1–2 pm6,79087%Busy
2–3 pm7,41495%Busy
3–4 pm7,14591%Busy
4–5 pm6,46082%Busy
5–6 pm5,74273%Busy
6–7 pm5,67572%Busy
7–8 pm5,25767%Moderate
8–9 pm3,52245%Moderate
9–10 pm2,11127%Quiet
10–11 pm96512%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1402%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Mondays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 7% of peak, Quiet4a: 34% of peak, Quiet5a: 70% of peak, Moderate6a: 88% of peak, Busy7a: 99% of peak, Busy8a: 87% of peak, Busy9a: 75% of peak, Busy10a: 59% of peak, Moderate11a: 46% of peak, Moderate12p: 69% of peak, Moderate1p: 79% of peak, Busy2p: 76% of peak, Busy3p: 77% of peak, Busy4p: 63% of peak, Moderate5p: 61% of peak, Moderate6p: 57% of peak, Moderate7p: 49% of peak, Moderate8p: 34% of peak, Quiet9p: 22% of peak, Quiet10p: 9% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Monday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am751%Quiet
1–2 am551%Quiet
2–3 am841%Quiet
3–4 am5467%Quiet
4–5 am2,63734%Quiet
5–6 am5,45370%Moderate
6–7 am6,89288%Busy
7–8 am7,76199%Busy
8–9 am6,80887%Busy
9–10 am5,86175%Busy
10–11 am4,61459%Moderate
11 am–noon3,60846%Moderate
noon–1 pm5,40869%Moderate
1–2 pm6,22379%Busy
2–3 pm5,93676%Busy
3–4 pm6,01177%Busy
4–5 pm4,91363%Moderate
5–6 pm4,75361%Moderate
6–7 pm4,45757%Moderate
7–8 pm3,82549%Moderate
8–9 pm2,69134%Quiet
9–10 pm1,73122%Quiet
10–11 pm6889%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1292%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Tuesdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 5% of peak, Quiet4a: 23% of peak, Quiet5a: 46% of peak, Moderate6a: 74% of peak, Busy7a: 69% of peak, Moderate8a: 65% of peak, Moderate9a: 55% of peak, Moderate10a: 44% of peak, Moderate11a: 43% of peak, Moderate12p: 55% of peak, Moderate1p: 57% of peak, Moderate2p: 65% of peak, Moderate3p: 69% of peak, Moderate4p: 53% of peak, Moderate5p: 53% of peak, Moderate6p: 45% of peak, Moderate7p: 37% of peak, Quiet8p: 30% of peak, Quiet9p: 17% of peak, Quiet10p: 7% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Tuesday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am671%Quiet
1–2 am451%Quiet
2–3 am611%Quiet
3–4 am3675%Quiet
4–5 am1,77923%Quiet
5–6 am3,61546%Moderate
6–7 am5,78174%Busy
7–8 am5,44169%Moderate
8–9 am5,10465%Moderate
9–10 am4,32555%Moderate
10–11 am3,41544%Moderate
11 am–noon3,35643%Moderate
noon–1 pm4,34055%Moderate
1–2 pm4,50057%Moderate
2–3 pm5,05365%Moderate
3–4 pm5,38169%Moderate
4–5 pm4,15653%Moderate
5–6 pm4,14753%Moderate
6–7 pm3,50345%Moderate
7–8 pm2,93637%Quiet
8–9 pm2,34330%Quiet
9–10 pm1,34217%Quiet
10–11 pm5127%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1332%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Wednesdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 5% of peak, Quiet4a: 22% of peak, Quiet5a: 48% of peak, Moderate6a: 73% of peak, Busy7a: 71% of peak, Busy8a: 70% of peak, Moderate9a: 58% of peak, Moderate10a: 47% of peak, Moderate11a: 39% of peak, Quiet12p: 62% of peak, Moderate1p: 71% of peak, Busy2p: 71% of peak, Busy3p: 75% of peak, Busy4p: 66% of peak, Moderate5p: 59% of peak, Moderate6p: 48% of peak, Moderate7p: 40% of peak, Moderate8p: 33% of peak, Quiet9p: 19% of peak, Quiet10p: 7% of peak, Quiet11p: 1% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Wednesday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am641%Quiet
1–2 am471%Quiet
2–3 am551%Quiet
3–4 am3745%Quiet
4–5 am1,73122%Quiet
5–6 am3,75748%Moderate
6–7 am5,72073%Busy
7–8 am5,60071%Busy
8–9 am5,46670%Moderate
9–10 am4,53658%Moderate
10–11 am3,71247%Moderate
11 am–noon3,06039%Quiet
noon–1 pm4,85162%Moderate
1–2 pm5,59071%Busy
2–3 pm5,54271%Busy
3–4 pm5,84175%Busy
4–5 pm5,17266%Moderate
5–6 pm4,63559%Moderate
6–7 pm3,74948%Moderate
7–8 pm3,11840%Moderate
8–9 pm2,56833%Quiet
9–10 pm1,49719%Quiet
10–11 pm5597%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1161%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Thursdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 6% of peak, Quiet4a: 30% of peak, Quiet5a: 63% of peak, Moderate6a: 80% of peak, Busy7a: 94% of peak, Busy8a: 82% of peak, Busy9a: 72% of peak, Busy10a: 53% of peak, Moderate11a: 47% of peak, Moderate12p: 63% of peak, Moderate1p: 81% of peak, Busy2p: 88% of peak, Busy3p: 84% of peak, Busy4p: 73% of peak, Busy5p: 72% of peak, Busy6p: 67% of peak, Moderate7p: 61% of peak, Moderate8p: 43% of peak, Moderate9p: 25% of peak, Quiet10p: 8% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Thursday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am731%Quiet
1–2 am581%Quiet
2–3 am791%Quiet
3–4 am4926%Quiet
4–5 am2,38430%Quiet
5–6 am4,91663%Moderate
6–7 am6,29680%Busy
7–8 am7,34594%Busy
8–9 am6,41582%Busy
9–10 am5,60972%Busy
10–11 am4,11353%Moderate
11 am–noon3,70647%Moderate
noon–1 pm4,91663%Moderate
1–2 pm6,31381%Busy
2–3 pm6,89488%Busy
3–4 pm6,59784%Busy
4–5 pm5,73373%Busy
5–6 pm5,67872%Busy
6–7 pm5,25667%Moderate
7–8 pm4,79661%Moderate
8–9 pm3,38443%Moderate
9–10 pm1,96625%Quiet
10–11 pm6268%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1362%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Fridays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 32% of peak, Quiet5a: 70% of peak, Moderate6a: 90% of peak, Busy7a: 100% of peak, Busy8a: 94% of peak, Busy9a: 78% of peak, Busy10a: 57% of peak, Moderate11a: 51% of peak, Moderate12p: 73% of peak, Busy1p: 84% of peak, Busy2p: 92% of peak, Busy3p: 85% of peak, Busy4p: 69% of peak, Moderate5p: 74% of peak, Busy6p: 63% of peak, Moderate7p: 55% of peak, Moderate8p: 41% of peak, Moderate9p: 24% of peak, Quiet10p: 8% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Friday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am751%Quiet
1–2 am671%Quiet
2–3 am821%Quiet
3–4 am6468%Quiet
4–5 am2,50032%Quiet
5–6 am5,46970%Moderate
6–7 am7,04190%Busy
7–8 am7,834100%Busy
8–9 am7,33494%Busy
9–10 am6,09878%Busy
10–11 am4,45357%Moderate
11 am–noon3,96951%Moderate
noon–1 pm5,72073%Busy
1–2 pm6,58484%Busy
2–3 pm7,21592%Busy
3–4 pm6,67885%Busy
4–5 pm5,43069%Moderate
5–6 pm5,76674%Busy
6–7 pm4,90763%Moderate
7–8 pm4,34155%Moderate
8–9 pm3,20141%Moderate
9–10 pm1,85724%Quiet
10–11 pm6538%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1602%Quiet

ATL security by hour on Saturdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 6% of peak, Quiet4a: 24% of peak, Quiet5a: 50% of peak, Moderate6a: 77% of peak, Busy7a: 78% of peak, Busy8a: 78% of peak, Busy9a: 57% of peak, Moderate10a: 44% of peak, Moderate11a: 36% of peak, Quiet12p: 52% of peak, Moderate1p: 58% of peak, Moderate2p: 64% of peak, Moderate3p: 56% of peak, Moderate4p: 52% of peak, Moderate5p: 48% of peak, Moderate6p: 39% of peak, Quiet7p: 39% of peak, Quiet8p: 35% of peak, Quiet9p: 22% of peak, Quiet10p: 6% of peak, Quiet11p: 2% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
ATL · typical Saturday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am961%Quiet
1–2 am511%Quiet
2–3 am891%Quiet
3–4 am4526%Quiet
4–5 am1,88924%Quiet
5–6 am3,90750%Moderate
6–7 am6,00377%Busy
7–8 am6,11278%Busy
8–9 am6,09278%Busy
9–10 am4,49257%Moderate
10–11 am3,45144%Moderate
11 am–noon2,78336%Quiet
noon–1 pm4,05352%Moderate
1–2 pm4,52958%Moderate
2–3 pm4,99264%Moderate
3–4 pm4,40756%Moderate
4–5 pm4,06052%Moderate
5–6 pm3,72248%Moderate
6–7 pm3,08639%Quiet
7–8 pm3,04439%Quiet
8–9 pm2,74935%Quiet
9–10 pm1,76222%Quiet
10–11 pm5046%Quiet
11 pm–midnight1192%Quiet

Best and worst times to go through security at ATL

The three busiest and three quietest hours for each part of the week. Quiet hours count only daytime hours (5 am to 11 pm) when screening is running.

ATL · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
DaysBusiestQuietest
Monday to Thursday6–8 am (83%)3–4 pm (76%)11 am–noon (44%)8–10 pm (21%)
Friday7–9 am (100%)2–3 pm (92%)11 am–noon (51%)8–10 pm (24%)
Saturday6–9 am (78%)11 am–noon (36%)8–10 pm (22%)
Sunday7–8 am (94%)2–4 pm (95%)8–11 pm (12%)

ATL security checkpoints and hours

TSA's counts list 7 checkpoints at ATL. Posted hours come from the airport and carry the date we checked them. "Screening seen" is the span of hours in which TSA counted at least a few passengers on a typical day, not posted opening hours. Checkpoint names in plain type are TSA's own labels.

ATL checkpoints · TSA counts Sep 13, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 · facts checked Nov 2026
CheckpointWhereLanesHoursTypical busiest hourShare
Domestic Terminal SouthDomestic TerminalPreCheckCLEAR4 am to 9 pm, PreCheck only7–8 am25%
Domestic Terminal MainDomestic TerminalNo PreCheck listed24 hours7–8 am25%
International Terminal DeparturesInternational TerminalPreCheck4:30 am to midnight (PreCheck listed 7 to 10 am and 2 to 7 pm)8–9 am12%
Domestic Terminal NorthDomestic TerminalNo PreCheck listed4 am to 9 pm7–8 am12%
Domestic Terminal Lower NorthDomestic TerminalCLEAR3:30 am to 9 pm1–2 pm11%
F Arrival Checkpoint——Screening seen around the clock1–2 pm9%
E Concourse Checkpoint——Screening seen 1 pm to 10 pm7–8 pm6%

The airport says passengers can reach all concourses and gates from any checkpoint. Source.

ATL checkpoint layout

Checkpoints grouped by terminal, as the airport lists them. Each box shows how busy that checkpoint typically is at the hour, against its own busiest hour (median of the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026). It is a list, not a map: the airport does not publish checkpoint coordinates.

Domestic Terminal

  • Domestic Terminal SouthPreCheckCLEARBusyFriday, 7–8 am
  • Domestic Terminal MainNo PreCheck listedBusyFriday, 7–8 am
  • Domestic Terminal NorthNo PreCheck listedBusyFriday, 7–8 am
  • Domestic Terminal Lower NorthCLEARBusyFriday, 7–8 am

International Terminal

  • International Terminal DeparturesPreCheckBusyFriday, 7–8 am

How early should I get to ATL?

Our rule of thumb starts from 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, then adjusts for how busy ATL's checkpoints typically are at the hour you will reach them. Set your flight below.

Flight
Options
For ATL, Sunday 10:00 am, domestic, checked bagGet to ATL by 7:40 amLeave by 7:10 am · 140 min before departure
  • Domestic flight120 min
  • Security busy at that hour+20 min

Our own rule of thumb, not a TSA rule: 2 hours for domestic and 3 for international, -15 min with no checked bag, -15 with PreCheck, +20 if you are parking, then -15 / +0 / +20 min when security is typically quiet, moderate or busy at the hour you reach it. Always check your airline's bag-drop and boarding cut-offs.

ATL arrival times on a typical Sunday

ATL · Sunday · checked bag, no PreCheck · our rule of thumb
DepartureSecurity at that hourDomestic: arrive byInternational: arrive by
6 amQuiet4:15 am (105 min)3:15 am (165 min)
8 amModerate6:00 am (120 min)5:00 am (180 min)
10 amBusy7:40 am (140 min)6:40 am (200 min)
noonModerate10:00 am (120 min)8:40 am (200 min)
3 pmBusy12:40 pm (140 min)12:00 pm (180 min)
6 pmBusy3:40 pm (140 min)2:40 pm (200 min)
9 pmModerate7:00 pm (120 min)5:40 pm (200 min)

The level is read at the hour you would reach security, so a flight's own departure hour can differ. More on the rules and every airport: how early to arrive at the airport.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at ATL

  • Domestic Terminal South (Domestic Terminal): TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. Source.
  • International Terminal Departures (International Terminal): TSA PreCheck. Source.
  • Domestic Terminal Lower North (Domestic Terminal): CLEAR. Source.

Lanes as listed on ATL's own website, checked Nov 2026; checkpoints not listed here have no lane information yet. TSA's counts do not split PreCheck from standard lanes. See PreCheck wait times and CLEAR vs PreCheck.

ATL terminals

ATL Domestic Terminal security

Four checkpoints: Main (24 hours, standard screening), North (4 am to 9 pm), Lower North (3:30 am to 9 pm, with CLEAR) and South (4 am to 9 pm, TSA PreCheck only, with CLEAR). Source.

ATL International Terminal security

One departures checkpoint, 4:30 am to midnight, with standard screening and TSA PreCheck. Source.

ATL security FAQ

What is the busiest time for security at ATL?

On a typical Sunday, ATL's checkpoints are busiest from 1 to 5 pm. The single busiest hour in the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026 was 7–8 am on Fridays, with a median of 7,834 people screened.

What is the best time to go through security at ATL?

Tuesday is the quietest day overall. On Sundays, the quietest daytime window is 8–11 pm.

How early should I get to ATL?

Our rule of thumb starts at 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, then adds 20 minutes when security is typically busy at the hour you arrive and takes off 15 when it is quiet. For a 10 am domestic flight on a Sunday with a checked bag, that means getting to ATL by 7:40 am.

How many security checkpoints does ATL have?

TSA's checkpoint counts list 7 screening checkpoints at ATL in the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026. The busiest, Domestic Terminal South, screens about 25% of ATL's passengers.

Sources for ATL

  • Hourly passengers: TSA throughput counts (FOIA reading room), weeks of Sep 13, 2026, Sep 20, 2026, Sep 27, 2026, Oct 4, 2026, Oct 11, 2026, Oct 18, 2026, Oct 25, 2026, Nov 1, 2026. Median of 8 weeks, holiday weeks left out.
  • Official wait page: www.atl.com/times/, checked Nov 2026.
  • Checkpoint facts: airport website, checked Nov 2026. Each checkpoint name links to its source.
  • How the levels are built: methodology. TSA Wait Checker is not affiliated with TSA or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.

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