How Early Should I Arrive at PAE?
Planning your arrival at Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport (PAE)? Based on TSA wait time data showing peak waits of 28 minutes, here are our recommended arrival times to ensure you don't miss your flight.
Recommended Arrival Times at PAE
Domestic Flights
International Flights
Holiday & Peak Travel Advisory
During Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season, add 30-60 minutes to these recommendations. Airport crowds can be significantly higher during peak travel periods.
Current TSA Wait Times at PAE
Average Wait
6 min
Peak Wait
28 min
Thursdays at 6 AM
Early Morning
17 min
Before 6 AM
Quick Times
62
slots under 5 min
Best & Worst Times to Arrive at PAE
Busiest Times (Arrive Extra Early)
- - Morning rush: 6 AM - 9 AM (avg 9 min wait)
- - Evening rush: 4 PM - 7 PM (avg 3 min wait)
- - Busiest day: Tuesdays
- - Holiday periods: Major holidays + surrounding days
Best Times (Shorter Lines)
- - Early morning: Before 6 AM (avg 17 min wait)
- - Mid-morning: 10 AM - 12 PM
- - Late evening: After 8 PM
- - Quietest day: Mondays
Why You Need 2.5 hours at PAE
Here's how your time breaks down when arriving at Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport:
Tips to Save Time at PAE
Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR
TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years) lets you keep shoes, belt, and laptop in bag. CLEAR ($189/year) provides biometric verification to skip ID check lines.
Check in online
Check in 24 hours before your flight and download your mobile boarding pass to skip the check-in counter entirely.
Pack TSA-friendly
Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, wear slip-on shoes, and keep electronics accessible to speed through security.
Know your terminal
Check which terminal your airline uses before arriving. Some airports require extra time for inter-terminal transfers.
First Time Flying from PAE?
If this is your first time flying from Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport, here's what to expect when you arrive at the airport:
1 Arriving at the Airport
- - Follow signs to your airline's terminal
- - If driving, follow "Departures" signs to drop-off or parking
- - Allow extra time if using rideshare or public transit
2 Check-In Process
- - Use self-service kiosks or airline counter
- - Have your ID and booking confirmation ready
- - Drop checked bags at the bag drop counter
3 TSA Security Screening
- - Have boarding pass and ID ready
- - Remove laptops, liquids (3.4oz max), and shoes
- - Empty pockets and remove belts before screening
4 Finding Your Gate
- - Check departure screens for your gate number
- - Follow signs to your gate (gates can change!)
- - Be at the gate 30 min before boarding
Pro tip: Download your airline's app to get real-time gate updates and mobile boarding passes.
PAE Airport Arrival FAQ
How early should I arrive at PAE airport?
For domestic flights at Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport, arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3.5 hours early. During peak times (Thursdays around 6 AM), consider arriving even earlier as TSA wait times can reach 28 minutes.
How early should I get to PAE for a domestic flight?
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before your domestic flight at PAE. This allows time for parking/transit, check-in, TSA security (averaging 6 minutes), and walking to your gate. If you have TSA PreCheck, you may be able to arrive 2 hours early during off-peak times.
How early should I arrive at PAE for an international flight?
For international departures from Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport, arrive 3.5 hours before your flight. International flights require additional time for document verification, potential customs pre-clearance, and longer check-in processes. With TSA lines averaging 6 minutes, the extra time ensures you won't miss your flight.
How long does it take to get through security at PAE?
TSA security wait times at PAE vary by day and time. Peak waits can reach 28 minutes (typically on Tuesdays), while off-peak times average 17 minutes. There are 62 time slots with waits under 5 minutes, usually early morning or late evening.
What is the best time to go through security at PAE?
The best times to go through TSA at PAE are early morning (before 6 AM) with average waits of 17 minutes, and late evening. Avoid Tuesdays when lines are longest. Mondays tend to have the shortest wait times.
Should I arrive earlier at PAE during holidays?
Yes, during holidays and peak travel periods at Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport, add at least 30-60 minutes to the standard arrival times. For domestic flights, arrive 2.5-3 hours early. For international flights, arrive 3.5-4 hours early. Check-in lines, TSA, and terminals will be significantly busier during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season.