Travel Tips: Arrival Time Is Key When Flying Through These 10 U.S. Airports
There are two kinds of travelers: those who get to the airport Early arrivers (typically two or three hours before their scheduled flight departure) alongside those who leisurely make their way in just as passengers begin boarding. Being a frequent flyer with around 50 trips per year, and also holding a TSA PreCheck membership, long waiting periods aren’t usually bothersome for me since I prefer getting to the airport ahead of schedule. However, individuals aiming to swiftly navigate through security might find themselves nearly missing their flights, particularly when they happen to run into certain delays or inefficiencies at checkpoints. longest TSA wait times .
Although arriving early assists in evading the pressure of traveling and maneuvering through security queues, every airport is not All are deemed created equal. However, some airports boast about getting travelers through security in less than five minutes, whereas others tend to be much slower. Can you guess which U.S. airports hold the dubious distinction as the nation’s most sluggish when it comes to security lines? For insights into this, we've examined an extensive report from 2024. report By the travel and baggage specialists at Bounce, and spoke with two professionals—a previous TSA agent And as someone who travels often — to gather insights. Keep reading to discover which airports are the biggest obstacles and learn from experts about how they suggest you can swiftly navigate the TSA queue.
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The airport where passengers experience the longest security screening queues with TSA
At St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri, travelers face some of the longest TSA queues nationwide, with an average wait time of 16 minutes and 16 seconds. Should you begin your trip from this airport, known as STL, plan to get there well ahead of what seems necessary—keep in mind that since 16 minutes represents only the mean duration, waits can sometimes extend beyond this period.
Other American airports experiencing lengthy Transportation Security Administration (TSA) queues
Although St. Louis may be the most problematic, it is definitely not alone as an airport where you must anticipate needing extra time to account for security checks. The two additional airports with the highest TSA queue lengths are:
- Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, Texas: 15 minutes and 53 seconds
- Orlando International Airport, Fla.: 15 min and 34 sec
Airports where the TSA lines tend to be quickest
Several airports are excelling at handling queues, adequately staffed TSA teams, and maintaining smooth operations. The trio of airports boasting the least waiting time includes:
- Palm Beach International Airport, Florida: 5 minutes and 29 seconds
- Sacramento International Airport, Calif.: 7 minutes and 5 seconds
- McCarran International Airport, Nevada: 7 min 34 sec
Airports with the most extended and least extended passport control waiting times
Upon returning to the U.S. from abroad, particularly when not heading directly to your ultimate location and needing to quickly board a connecting flight, the duration spent at passport control becomes crucial. Below is an overview of the most efficient and least convenient airports for this process.
3 longest wait times
- O’Hare International Airport, Ill.: 25 mins and 59 secs
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York: 24 minutes and 43 seconds
- Los Angeles International Airport, California: 23 minutes and 53 seconds
3 shortest wait times
- Palm Beach International Airport, Florida: 1 minute and 58 seconds
- John Wayne Airport, Calif.: 5 min and 35 sec
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona: 5 min and 45 sec
Airports that have the longest wait times overall
When you add together both the passport control wait times and the TSA wait times, what emerges is this compilation of airports featuring the highest overall average waiting periods:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: 39 minutes and 48 seconds
- Orlando International Airport: 39 mins and 16 secs
- O'Hare International Airport: 37 mins and 52 secs
- Los Angeles International Airport: 35 minutes and 25 seconds
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: 35 mins and 22 secs
- Miami International Airport: 34 minutes and 59 seconds
- San Francisco International Airport: 33 mins and 44 secs
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 33 minutes and 9 seconds
- Ontario International Airport (California): 33 minutes and 7 seconds
- Salt Lake City International Airport: 32 mins and 40 secs
Airports that have the shortest lines overall
Here are 10 airports that excel in minimizing the overall waiting time at both TSA checkpoints and passport controls. Here they are:
- Palm Beach International Airport: 7 mins and 27 secs
- John Wayne Airport: 14 mins and 38 secs
- Phoenix Sky Harbor: 16 minutes and 56 seconds
- San Antonio International Airport: 19 minutes and 6 seconds
- Oakland International Airport near San Francisco Bay: 20 minutes and 37 seconds
- Sacramento International Airport: 20 mins and 41 secs
- Portland International Airport: 21 minutes and 17 seconds
- Philadelphia International Airport: 21 minutes and 50 seconds
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport: 22 minutes and 6 seconds
- Tampa International Airport: 22 mins and 42 secs
Ways to Speed Up Security Check-Ins
Regardless of which airport serves as your departure point for your upcoming journey, navigating through security can often be quite bothersome. Below are several suggestions designed to assist you in breezing through the queue swiftly, ensuring you have ample time before boarding.
Register for Clear, TSA Precheck, or Global Entry
Based on your travel destination, you may use any combination of Clear, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry It can significantly reduce your wait time at security checkpoints. A Clear membership offers a quicker identity verification process, enabling you to bypass long queues. TSA PreCheck facilitates an accelerated screening procedure for domestic U.S. flights. Additionally, Global Entry grants pre-screened, low-risk individuals a speedier clearance option upon their return to the U.S. after traveling internationally.
If having both Clear and TSA PreCheck is an option for you, that's ideal since you can choose whichever line is shorter," suggests travel journalist Amber Gibson, who flies over 100 times annually. "Some credit cards may cover the cost.
Be aware of the TSA restrictions on liquids.
According to TikTok creator Caleb Harmon-Marshall—who spent eight years working with TSA in Atlanta and Miami before becoming a flight rights advocate—one major source of delay is travelers who unknowingly cause bottlenecks due to their ignorance regarding the TSA regulations on liquids. Should you intend to bring along your personal care items in your hand luggage, it's crucial to be informed about these rules. TSA rules on liquids and special cases , as well as TSA food rules For example, liquids up to 3.4 ounces are allowed in carry-on baggage; anything bigger needs to be placed in your checked luggage or it will be confiscated. confiscated by TSA agents And if you need to pack items that aren't allowed in a carry-on, make sure to get to the airport early so you can check your luggage.
Find a different checkpoint
When you arrive at the airport, you typically end up in a single queue or security checkpoint," explains Harmon-Marshall. "However, there's generally an alternative less-traveled line that tends to be much quicker. Take Atlanta as an example; this airport is designed so that regardless of which security point you use, all terminals are interconnected.
Gibson also employs this tactic. "What I would mention is that less crowded terminals—such as Terminal 2 at O'Hare airport—have shorter queues, allowing you to navigate through the line at one terminal and reach your actual gate post-security to avoid lengthy waits."
Register with TSA Cares if you require additional support.
TSA Cares assists travelers who have disabilities, health issues, or require extra support to help them better prepare for the security screening procedures. "I advise all my friends traveling with infants as well." TSA Cares “Will assist you in passing through the checkpoint, bypassing queues, and reaching your gate,” explains Harmon-Marshall, who provided this service during his tenure with TSA. “Plus, it doesn’t cost anything.”
To submit the request, reach out to TSA Cares at least three days before your travel date by filling out the form. TSA Cares form or calling (855) 787-2227.
Maximize the benefits of your status or ticket class.
Verify that your driver's license or passport is current.
TSA agents are tasked with confirming your identity prior to letting you pass through security checkpoints. This requires having a valid driver’s license or passport. Should you show up at the airport with an outdated ID, you might face significant delays while going through security processes. In certain situations, you could even be denied boarding your aircraft entirely.
FAQs
What methods did the study use to ascertain the airport waiting periods?
Bounce examined airports within the United States and its territories, gathering data on the typical waiting period at passport control from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP Airport Wait Times They examined the typical waiting period for travelers who went through customs upon arrival during each hour, focusing on the duration needed to get past passport control. Afterward, they determined the mean wait times per hour of flight arrivals throughout the previous year (from 09/13/2023 to 09/14/2024). Bounce gathered the average wait times at the TSA checkpoints for every airport. TSA wait times They determined the average wait time for passengers arriving every hour up until September 18, 2024. Then, they summed the average wait times for both Passport Control and TSA at each airport to find the overall average waiting time per airport. Each figure was rounded off to two decimal points.
What leads to extended security waiting periods?
Harmon-Marshall points out several factors contributing to extended TSA waiting periods at certain airports. He explains, "One reason might be inadequate staff levels." Additionally, he notes, "Another issue is frequent malfunctions of the screening devices such as X-ray and full-body scanners."
He points out that TSA officer training occurs in real time, implying that individuals receive hands-on instruction daily, potentially causing delays. Additionally, he mentions that an insufficient number of bins is another issue. "Passengers often assume that TSA agents are responsible for fetching and bringing back the bins, yet their primary duty is to inspect luggage and conduct screenings. Therefore, assist both your neighbors and the process by ensuring you bring back your own bin."
What methods do you use to check security waiting times?
According to Marshall-Harmon, you can view wait times using the MyTSA app or an individual airport’s website; however, he advises passengers to approach these figures cautiously. "These estimates are not accurate," he states. "Always allow for an additional 5 to 10 minutes beyond what is shown on the app or sites."
About the experts
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest Has released numerous travel narratives aimed at guiding readers to discover the globe securely, conveniently, and economically. Our coverage frequently includes insights into top destinations along with ideal visiting periods, strategies for swiftly navigating airport security, insider knowledge from flight attendants, clever hotel room tactics, among others. Committed to delivering premium material crafted by professionals seasoned in their respective domains, we collaborate closely with pertinent, certified specialists. Our foundation lies in trustworthy initial references like governmental bodies, industry associations, scholarly entities, complemented by our contributors' firsthand encounters when suitable. Every detail undergoes rigorous validation, supported by dependable citations, and is periodically reviewed to maintain precision and currency. In crafting this report on airports experiencing prolonged delays, Jill Schildhouse leveraged her extensive background as an experienced travel journalist and habitual voyager to guarantee accuracy and provide superior guidance to our audience. Explore further details regarding our methodology here. team , our contributors and ourselves editorial policies .
Sources:
- Bounce Wait Times at Airports for 2024
- Caleb Harmon-Marshall worked for TSA in Atlanta and Miami for eight years and currently serves as a flight rights advocate
- Amber Gibson, a travel journalist who logs over 100 flights annually
- TSA Cares homepage
- TSA What Items Can I Provide?
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