Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Security wait right now, how busy MDW is today, how early to arrive, drop-off and parking, delays and nearby airports.
Also known as Midway
- Quietest today
- 12 PM–2 PM 15–25 min
- Busiest today
- 7 AM–9 AM 25–45 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 MDW airport right now?
Right now the standard security line at Chicago Midway International Airport is moderate: about 15–30 min (updated 11:33 AM CDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (20–40 min) and be lightest around 10 PM (10–20 min).
Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S.. Current conditions:
- Airport operationsNormal
- DelaysNo FAA delay programs
- Weather nowPartly Sunny, 57°F
- LocationChicago, IL
- Passengers / year10,912,074
- U.S. rank#27 of 501
- CodesMDW · KMDW
Security wait, next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 11 AM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 12 PM | 15–25 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 15–25 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 3 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 4 PM | 20–40 min | Moderate |
| 5 PM | 20–40 min | Moderate |
| 6 PM | 20–35 min | Moderate |
| 7 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 8 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
MDW airport delays today
No FAA ground stops, ground delay programs or closures at MDW right now (checked 11:33 AM CDT).
Weather at MDW: Partly Sunny, 57°F, good visibility and high clouds (VFR).
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 →
How early to get to MDW
Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at Chicago Midway 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 MDW: drop-off, pick-up and parking
Chicago Midway International Airport is in Chicago, IL. 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.
Parking rates, cell-phone lot and shuttle details are on the official MDW website.
Airports near Chicago
Security wait right now at the closest alternatives to MDW.
MDW airport FAQ
How long is the TSA line at MDW right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at Chicago Midway International Airport is 15–30 min (updated 11:33 AM CDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
Are there delays at MDW today?
The FAA reports no ground stops or ground delay programs at MDW as of 11:33 AM CDT. Individual flights can still be late, so check your airline's app.
Is MDW airport open right now?
The FAA reports no closure at MDW as of 11:33 AM CDT. For weather or security emergencies, check the official MDW website.
How busy is MDW airport today?
Today (Friday) MDW security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (25–45 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (15–25 min).
What time does TSA open at MDW?
Security checkpoints at Chicago Midway International Airport 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 MDW website.
Where do I drop off passengers at MDW?
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 MDW website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at MDW?
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 MDW?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the MDW security line alone can reach 45 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live MDW 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.
Where can I see the hour-by-hour MDW security forecast?
The MDW TSA wait times page has today's hourly chart, the weekly heatmap and PreCheck details.