Terminal E

Gate E5 might say Southwest, but the story starts at D‑E security

Terminal E sits between D and F and shares the main D‑E security checkpoint, which is where most of the pain happens. Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, and especially Southwest run a lot of early banks here, so 5:30–8:00 a.m. and late afternoons see the longest lines. TSA PreCheck is available at this joint checkpoint, but even that lane can stack up when multiple Southwest departures cluster around 6:30–7:30 a.m.

Low‑cost concourse feel: Southwest and friends

Remitly calls E the home for Frontier and JetBlue along with Southwest, and Allegiant flies from here too, giving the concourse a low‑cost pier vibe. Yelp reviews compare it to a bus station when three or four Southwest and Frontier flights board at once. If you’re used to A‑West or B at PHL, expect more basic gate areas and fewer amenities at the E10–E17 stretch.

Layout: single pier, louder in the middle, calmer toward F

Terminal E runs as a straightforward linear pier, with its mid‑section closest to the D‑E checkpoint and the far end bending toward Terminal F. Several Google reviews note that the gates at the far end near the F connector often quiet down after the first departure bank around 8:30–9:00 a.m., with more open seats than you’ll find around E2–E8.

Security tactics: D‑E vs the C PreCheck checkpoint

Regulars talk less about E itself and more about how to beat the security line feeding it. u/phlrunner reports walking to Terminal C’s PreCheck‑only checkpoint, clearing there, then backtracking airside to E, adding about 10–12 minutes of walking but saving 20–25 minutes of queuing on bad days. If you land at C around 4:30 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. E departure, that trick can keep you on the right side of boarding.

Food: hit C or D first, then Chick‑fil‑A or Ruby Tuesday

Inside E you’ve got Chick‑fil‑A, Ruby Tuesday, and Rita’s Italian Ice as the headliners, with prices in the usual airport markup range; expect $10–15 for a fast‑food combo or burger. Reddit regulars like u/frontierflyer95 say they often grab a meal in Terminal C or D, where there are more options and better seating, then walk over to an E gate around 30–40 minutes before departure.

Rita’s, Hudson, and the basics

Rita’s Italian Ice gives E at least one distinct local-ish treat, and it’s an easy stop for a $5–7 cup of ice on hot summer afternoons when Southwest banks are rolling. Hudson News covers the rest: drinks, snacks, and last‑minute chargers, with multiple locations spread along the concourse so you don’t have to leave the E14–E17 area just to grab bottled water.

No lounges, so build your own “waiting room” strategy

There are no listed airline or independent lounges in Terminal E, and Delta’s operations here do not come with a Sky Club nearby, so even frequent flyers sit at the gate or roam. If you have Priority Pass or similar, you’re usually better off using something in A‑East or A‑West and allowing at least 20–25 minutes to walk back to E before a Southwest or Allegiant boarding call.

What regulars do and what to watch out for

Southwest flyers on Reddit recommend arriving at least 2 hours early on Monday mornings and Thursday or Friday afternoons because of D‑E checkpoint backups that can stretch past 30–40 minutes. Complaints focus on limited seating and few power outlets around the busiest gates, plus dated restrooms compared with A‑West. If your flight leaves from a low‑number gate like E2 around 5:00–6:00 p.m., grab a seat early or walk toward the F‑end around E16–E18 to find a plug.

One last tip

If you’re self‑connecting between Terminal E and A or F, treat it like a mini‑connection at a bigger hub: pad at least 60–75 minutes for the walk plus D‑E security risk, and avoid booking anything tighter than an hour from an A‑West arrival to a Southwest departure at E12.