Meadows Field (BFL)
Security wait right now, how busy BFL is today, how early to arrive, drop-off and parking, delays and nearby airports.
- Quietest today
- 12 PM–2 PM 5–15 min
- Busiest today
- 7 AM–9 AM 10–30 min
- Arrive
- 2 h / 3 h domestic / international
Modeled from FAA passenger volumes, TSA's daily screening numbers, time of day and current airport conditions; refreshed every 15 minutes, not a checkpoint sensor. How we estimate
How busy is BFL airport right now?
Right now the standard security line at Meadows Field is short: about 5–20 min (updated 11:32 AM PDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (10–25 min) and be lightest around 12 PM (5–15 min).
Meadows Field is a smaller regional airport. Current conditions:
- Airport operationsMinor
- DelaysNo FAA delay programs
- Weather nowMostly Sunny, 59°F
- LocationBakersfield, CA
- Passengers / year99,472
- U.S. rank#230 of 501
- CodesBFL · KBFL
Security wait, next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 11 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 12 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 3 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 4 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 5 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 6 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 7 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
BFL airport delays today
No FAA ground stops, ground delay programs or closures at BFL right now (checked 11:32 AM PDT).
Weather at BFL: Mostly Sunny, 59°F, slightly reduced visibility or lower clouds (MVFR).
The FAA lists airport-wide programs only. A single late or cancelled flight is shown by your airline, so check its app as well. Delays at all U.S. airports →
BFL TSA wait times today, hour by hour
Estimated standard-lane wait for each hour of a typical Monday at Meadows Field. Smaller airports often run a single checkpoint, so one departure bank can create a short, sharp queue.
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 5 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 6 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 7 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 8 AM | 10–30 min | Short |
| 9 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 10 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 11 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 12 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 3 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 4 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 5 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 6 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 7 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
Best time to go through TSA at BFL
The quickest time to get through security at BFL on a typical Friday is 12 PM–2 PM (5–15 min). Lines are longest 7 AM–9 AM (10–30 min), when the first departure bank and business travelers hit the checkpoints. Across the week, Friday is usually the busiest day at BFL security and Saturday the quietest.
TSA PreCheck at BFL
TSA PreCheck lanes at Meadows Field are usually much shorter than the standard line: TSA reports that the large majority of PreCheck travelers wait under 10 minutes, and you keep shoes, belts, light jackets and laptops in place. Lanes can open later and close earlier than the main checkpoint, so if you fly very early or late, plan for the standard wait above.
CLEAR and Global Entry
CLEAR speeds up the ID check and walks you to the front of the screening line where it operates; you still go through screening. Global Entry includes PreCheck for eligible members and speeds up re-entry from international trips.
| Day | 5a | 7a | 9a | 11a | 1p | 3p | 5p | 7p | 9p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 10 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 9 |
| Tue | 9 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
| Wed | 9 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
| Thu | 10 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
| Fri · today | 11 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 9 |
| Sat | 9 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 7 |
| Sun | 11 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 9 |
≤20 short21–30 moderate31+ long · each column covers two hours
How early to get to BFL
Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at Bakersfield and when to leave home, based on today's security estimate.
| Trip | Arrive before departure |
|---|---|
| Domestic, carry-on only | 1 h 30 min – 2 h |
| Domestic, checked bag | 2 h |
| International | 3 h |
| Flying 7 AM–9 AM | add 15–30 min |
Getting to BFL: drop-off, pick-up and parking
Meadows Field is in Bakersfield, CA. For drop-off, follow the Departures signs to your airline's curb; curbside stopping is for active loading only, and pick-ups are usually directed to the arrivals curb or the cell-phone lot. At the busiest hours today (7 AM–9 AM) add time for curb and garage traffic.
Airports near Bakersfield
Security wait right now at the closest alternatives to BFL.
BFL airport FAQ
How long is the TSA line at BFL right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at Meadows Field is 5–20 min (updated 11:32 AM PDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
Are there delays at BFL today?
The FAA reports no ground stops or ground delay programs at BFL as of 11:32 AM PDT. Individual flights can still be late, so check your airline's app.
Is BFL airport open right now?
The FAA reports no closure at BFL as of 11:32 AM PDT. For weather or security emergencies, check the official BFL website.
How busy is BFL airport today?
Today (Friday) BFL security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (10–30 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (5–15 min).
What time does TSA open at BFL?
Security checkpoints at Meadows Field open before the first morning departures, which at most U.S. airports means around 4–5 AM (earlier at some large hubs). Hours differ by checkpoint and terminal, so for a very early flight confirm on the official BFL website.
Where do I drop off passengers at BFL?
Follow the Departures signs to the upper or departures-level curb for your airline. Curbside stopping is for active loading only; at peak hours (7 AM–9 AM) allow extra time for curb traffic. Cell-phone lots and parking rates are listed on the official BFL website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at BFL?
PreCheck lanes usually run during the main morning-to-evening operating hours but can open later and close earlier than standard lanes, and not every checkpoint has one. Outside those hours PreCheck travelers are screened in the standard lane, so plan for the standard wait.
How early should I get to BFL?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the BFL security line alone can reach 30 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live BFL TSA wait times?
They are modeled estimates refreshed every 15 minutes, not a camera or sensor count at the checkpoint. They combine FAA passenger volume, TSA's daily national screening numbers, the hour, weekday, holiday periods and current FAA and weather conditions.