Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL)
Security wait right now, how busy MSL 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 10–25 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 MSL airport right now?
Right now the standard security line at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is short: about 5–15 min (updated 7:02 PM CDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 6 AM (5–20 min) and be lightest around 9 PM (5–10 min).
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is a smaller regional airport. Current conditions:
- Airport operationsNormal
- DelaysNo FAA delay programs
- Weather nowCloudy, 74°F
- LocationMuscle Shoals, AL
- Passengers / year6,490
- U.S. rank#411 of 501
- CodesMSL · KMSL
Security wait, next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 7 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 12 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 1 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 2 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 3 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 4 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 5 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 6 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
MSL airport delays today
No FAA ground stops, ground delay programs or closures at MSL right now (checked 7:02 PM CDT).
Weather at MSL: Cloudy, 74°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 →
MSL TSA wait times today, hour by hour
Estimated standard-lane wait for each hour of a typical Monday at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. 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 | 5–10 min | Short |
| 5 AM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 6 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 7 AM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 8 AM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 9 AM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 10 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 11 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 12 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 1 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 2 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 3 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 4 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 5 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 6 PM | 5–20 min | Short |
| 7 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 8 PM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 5–10 min | Short |
Best time to go through TSA at MSL
The quickest time to get through security at MSL on a typical Saturday is 12 PM–2 PM (5–15 min). Lines are longest 7 AM–9 AM (10–25 min), when the first departure bank and business travelers hit the checkpoints. Across the week, Friday is usually the busiest day at MSL security and Saturday the quietest.
TSA PreCheck at MSL
TSA PreCheck lanes at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport 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 | 11 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 9 |
| Sat · today | 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 MSL
Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at Muscle Shoals 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 MSL: drop-off, pick-up and parking
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is in Muscle Shoals, AL. 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 Muscle Shoals
Security wait right now at the closest alternatives to MSL.
MSL airport FAQ
How long is the TSA line at MSL right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is 5–15 min (updated 7:02 PM CDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
Are there delays at MSL today?
The FAA reports no ground stops or ground delay programs at MSL as of 7:02 PM CDT. Individual flights can still be late, so check your airline's app.
Is MSL airport open right now?
The FAA reports no closure at MSL as of 7:02 PM CDT. For weather or security emergencies, check the official MSL website.
How busy is MSL airport today?
Today (Saturday) MSL security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (10–25 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (5–15 min).
What time does TSA open at MSL?
Security checkpoints at Northwest Alabama Regional 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 MSL website.
Where do I drop off passengers at MSL?
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 MSL website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at MSL?
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 MSL?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the MSL security line alone can reach 25 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live MSL 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.