St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a busy airport in Missouri where many people travel every day, served by airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa. As a result, passengers may need to wait at the security checkpoints.
The average security wait time is usually 30 to 40 minutes, but it can vary depending on airport traffic. During weekends or peak hours, the wait time may increase. The airport has three security checkpoints, and each works at different times. Some checkpoints are faster because they offer services like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
To avoid delays, it is better to arrive early and complete the security process easily.
The usual security wait time at the airport is around 20 to 30 minutes for most travelers, but this can vary depending on airport traffic. During peak hours, especially late at night or early in the morning, the wait time can increase by up to 40 minutes as more passengers arrive for flights.
| Time Slot | AM Average Wait Time | PM Average Wait Time |
| 12 to 1 | 37 minutes | 9-12 minutes |
| 1 to 2 | 0-2 minutes | 21 minutes |
| 2 to 3 | 34 minutes | 13-16 minutes |
| 3 to 4 | 26 minutes | 20-23 minutes |
| 4 to 5 | 19 minutes | 28 minutes |
| 5 to 6 | 15 minutes | 20 minutes |
| 6 to 7 | 14 minutes | 15 minutes |
| 7 to 8 | 17 minutes | 28 minutes |
| 8 to 9 | 6 minutes | 14 minutes |
| 9 to 10 | 13 minutes | 0-5 minutes |
| 10 to 11 | 5 minutes | 0-1 minutes |
| 11 to 12 | 6 minutes | 34 minutes |
TSA Checkpoint Timings at St. Louis International Airport Terminal
The airport has different TSA security checkpoints in its terminals to manage passengers easily. Each checkpoint opens and closes at a fixed time, so travelers should check their terminal before arriving. Terminal 1 mainly handles A and C gates, while Terminal 2 covers E and F gates. These checkpoints also serve different airlines, which helps reduce the crowd and makes the security process smoother for everyone.
| Terminals | Checkpoint and Timings | Serving Airlines |
| Terminal 1 | A Gate( 3:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.) | Air Canada, United Airlines, and charter flights. |
| Terminal 1 | C Gate(3:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.) | Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines |
| Terminal 2 | E and F Gates(3:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.) | Southwest and other international airlines. |
The airport provides CLEAR service at various checkpoints to help passengers get through security faster. These checkpoints are available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and their timings change depending on the day of the week.
| Terminal | CHeckpoint | TIming |
| Terminal 1 | Checkpoint A | Sunday and Thursday: 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.Monday to Wednesday, Friday: 4 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.Saturday: 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Terminal 1 | Checkpoint C | Sunday to Friday: 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday: 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Terminal 2 | Checkpoint E (Standard) | Sunday to Friday: 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.Saturday: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Terminal 2 | Checkpoint F (TSA PreCheck) | Sunday to Friday: 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.Saturday: 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Note: Passengers can also finish their CLEAR enrollment at these checkpoints after completing the online application.
The TSA wait time at the airport is usually very short and easy for most travelers. In many cases, passengers can clear security in under 10 minutes with minimal delay. However, when the airport becomes crowded, the wait time can increase up to 15 minutes. The process is still quick and manageable for most people.
| Current Wait | PreCheck Available |
| 3 minutes and 30 seconds | Yes |
TSA PreCheck helps passengers move through security faster and undergo less screening. At the airport, there are several PreCheck checkpoints across different terminals and concourses. However, travelers should check the status before arriving, as some checkpoints may not be open.
| Terminal | Checkpoint | Status |
| Checkpoint B | T1 Central | Closed |
| Terminal 2 | Concourse D Checkpoint | Closed |
| Terminal 3 | Concourse E Checkpoint | Closed |
| Terminal 3 | Concourse F Checkpoint | Closed |
| Terminal 4 | Concourse G Checkpoint | Closed |
The TSA wait times at this airport change throughout the day depending on passenger traffic. In general, early morning and late-night hours have shorter wait times, while mid-day and evening hours are usually busier. Passengers using TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can move through security faster.
| Time Slot | Wait(mins) |
| 1 am – 2 am | 7.9 mins |
| 2 am – 3 am | 0.0 mins |
| 3 am – 4 am | 3.5 mins |
| 4 am – 5 am | 7.9 mins |
| 5 am – 6 am | 11.4 mins |
| 6 am – 7 am | 10.5 mins |
| 7 am – 8 am | 6.6 mins |
| 8 am – 9 am | 16.5 mins |
| 9 am – 10 am | 16.3 mins |
| 10 am – 11 am | 9.3 mins |
| 11 am – 12 pm | 16.9 mins |
| 12 pm – 1 pm | 8 mins |
| 1 pm – 2 pm | 18.4 mins |
| 2 pm – 3 pm | 18.1 mins |
| 3 pm – 4 pm | 5.5 mins |
| 4 pm – 5 pm | 19.4 mins |
| 5 pm – 6 pm | 5.9 mins |
| 6 pm – 7 pm | 3.5 mins |
| 7 pm – 8 pm | 17.4 mins |
| 8 pm – 9 pm | 21.4 mins |
| 9 pm – 10 pm | 23.4 mins |
| 10 pm – 11 pm | 3.5 mins |
| 11 pm – 12 am | 5.5 mins |
The standard security wait time at St. Louis Lambert International Airport is usually between 20 and 30 minutes in normal lanes. Travelers using TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can often complete the process in 10 to 15 minutes.
The average wait time for standard security lanes is usually 20 to 30 minutes.
You can use services like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to move faster through security.
Yes, it is always a good idea to check the latest updates, as wait times can change at any time.
Early-morning and late-night hours usually have shorter wait times than busy daytime hours.
Yes, international flights may take a little longer due to extra security checks.