Airport Wait Times 2024
When traveling, long lines and wait times can quickly turn a smooth airport experience into a stressful one. However, some US airports offer more efficiency than others, from getting through security to passport control.
Knowing which airports have the longest and shortest wait times can help you plan your trip to avoid unnecessary delays. With potential flight delays and waiting for luggage, which adds delays to your journey, spending the shortest possible time at TSA and passport control is ideal. While major hubs in large cities are often under the stress of dealing with millions of passengers a year, flying into quieter airports can help you avoid long queues.
That said, the travel and luggage experts at Bounce analyzed TSA and passport control wait times at some of the busiest airports in the US to reveal which could cause you the most & least delays through security and passport control.
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How have things changed since last year?
In our 2023 study, Palm Beach International Airport had an average combined TSA and passport control clearance time of 36 minutes and 42 seconds. This year, the average time has shortened by 29 minutes and 16 seconds — the biggest improvement of all US airports. This international hub is now the most efficient airport of 2024, with a combined time of just over seven minutes.
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport’s average security and passport control wait time has improved by 13 minutes and 46 seconds in the last year. Passport control delays have gone from 25 minutes and 54 seconds to 16 minutes and 23 seconds on average.
Not all airport average wait times have improved. Newark Liberty International Airport went from being one of the fastest airports to clear TSA and passport control in 2023 to one of the slowest. The combined average wait time has increased by 13 minutes and 55 seconds to 32 minutes and 25 seconds.
On average, US airports have decreased the time passengers spend waiting for security and passport control from around 29 minutes and 35 seconds to 27 minutes and 16 seconds.
The US airports with the longest wait times
1. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Average TSA wait time: 15 minutes, 5 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 24 minutes, 43 seconds
Combined average wait time: 39 minutes, 48 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: -8 minutes, 37 seconds
If you're flying into New York's JFK International Airport, be prepared for longer wait times at security and passport control compared to other US airports. On average, TSA clearance takes 15 minutes and five seconds, while passport control adds about 24 minutes and 43 seconds, for a total wait time of roughly 39 and 48 seconds.
As New York's primary international hub, JFK handles millions of domestic and international passengers annually. For many, it's a final destination; for others, it is a vital connection point. This heavy traffic inevitably leads to delays at both security and passport control.
Despite having the longest average wait times among U.S. airports, the situation has improved since 2023. Over the past year, combined wait times at JFK have been reduced by eight minutes and 36 seconds, offering a more streamlined experience for travelers.
2. Orlando International Airport, Florida
Average TSA wait time: 15 minutes, 34 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 23 minutes, 42 seconds
Combined average wait time: 39 minutes, 16 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: -56 seconds
Orlando, home to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida, draws millions of tourists annually, many of whom arrive through Orlando International Airport (MCO).
At MCO, travelers typically experience TSA wait times of 15 minutes and 34 seconds, with passport control adding approximately 23 minutes and 42 seconds, bringing the total average wait to about 39 minutes and 16 seconds.
Though Orlando International has the second-longest average wait time in the US, it has seen improvement. In 2023, the combined wait time was around 40 minutes and 12 seconds — 56 seconds longer than it is today.
3. O'Hare International Airport, Illinois
Average TSA wait time: 11 minutes, 53 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 25 minutes, 59 seconds
Combined average wait time: 37 minutes, 52 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: +58 seconds
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) handles millions of passengers each year, with travelers from across the US and worldwide visiting landmarks like the John Hancock Center and Lake Michigan.
At ORD, passengers can expect to wait 11 minutes and 53 seconds for TSA screening, followed by 25 minutes and 59 seconds at passport control, for a total average wait time of 37 minutes and 52 seconds. This places O'Hare as having the third-longest average wait time among US airports.
Compared to last year, the combined wait time at O'Hare has increased by 58 seconds.
The US airports with the shortest wait times
1. Palm Beach International Airport, Florida
Average TSA wait time: 5 minutes, 29 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 1 minute, 58 seconds
Combined average wait time: 7 minutes, 27 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: -29 minutes, 16 seconds
Palm Beach International Airport stands out as the US airport with the shortest wait times, making it a quick and efficient entry point for travelers. On average, passengers clear TSA in just five minutes and 29 seconds, while passport control takes only one minute and 58 seconds. This brings the total average wait time to a quick 7 minutes and 27 seconds.
PBI's efficiency makes it the ideal airport for those seeking a delay-free experience, whether heading to West Palm Beach’s sunny shores or traveling further afield. With such a swift waiting experience, travelers can enjoy a more seamless journey through the airport, minimizing time spent waiting in lines.
Last year, Palm Beach International Airport's wait time was among the longest of all US airports, at around 36 minutes and 42 seconds. While passport control had a similarly short average wait time of two minutes and 36 seconds, TSA took around 34 minutes and six seconds to clear. This year, passengers waited 29 minutes and 16 seconds less on average.
2. John Wayne Airport, California
Average TSA wait time: 9 minutes, 3 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 5 minutes, 35 seconds
Combined average wait time: 14 minutes, 38 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: -7 minutes, 58 seconds
John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California, serving Orange County and Los Angeles, also ranks among the quickest airports. Passengers experience an average TSA wait time of 9 minutes and 3 seconds, while passport control takes around five minutes and 35 seconds. This brings the combined average wait time to 14 minutes and 38 seconds.
As a smaller airport, SNA provides a more relaxed travel experience than busier hubs in the popular state. The shorter wait times allow travelers to quickly move through the airport, making it a preferable choice for those flying in or out of Southern California concerned with delays.
On average, passengers at John Wayne Airport wait seven minutes and 58 seconds less today than last year.
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona
Average TSA wait time: 11 minutes, 11 seconds
Average passport control wait time: 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Combined average wait time: 16 minutes, 56 seconds
Year-on-year difference in combined average wait time: -3 minutes, 10 seconds
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Arizona is another airport with shorter wait times than the average in the US. Travelers wait about 11 minutes and 11 seconds for TSA screening and five minutes and 45 seconds at passport control, for a total average wait of 16 minutes and 56 seconds.
PHX’s efficient processing times make for a smoother experience for passengers, whether off to the desert city or catching a connecting flight. Its relatively short wait times make it an appealing option for travelers seeking a quicker airport experience without the long lines often associated with larger international hubs.
The wait time at PHX is even shorter than last year, with an improvement of three minutes and 10 seconds.
The US airports with the longest security wait times
1. St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Missouri - 16 minutes, 16 seconds
2. Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, Texas - 15 minutes, 53 seconds
3. Orlando International Airport, Florida - 15 minutes, 34 seconds
St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri tops the list for the longest security wait times in the US, with passengers waiting an average of 16 minutes and 16 seconds to clear TSA.
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport in Texas isn’t far behind, with an average security wait of 15 minutes and 53 seconds. This is a nine-minute and 47-second increase from last year and reflects the airport's growing passenger load due to Austin's rise as a business and tourism destination.
Meanwhile, Orlando International Airport is in third place. The security wait time of 15 minutes and 34 seconds is most likely driven by the influx of tourists headed to nearby theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios.
The US airports with the shortest security wait times
1. Palm Beach International Airport, Florida - 5 minutes, 29 seconds
2. Sacramento International Airport, California - 7 minutes, 5 seconds
3. Harry Reid International Airport, Nevada - 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Palm Beach International Airport in Florida boasts the shortest security wait time in the U.S., with passengers clearing TSA in just five minutes and 29 seconds. This is an improvement of 28 minutes and 37 seconds since 2023.
Sacramento International Airport in California follows closely, with an average TSA wait time of seven minutes and five seconds.
Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada, serving the bustling city of Las Vegas, rounds out the top three. Passengers spend an average of seven minutes and 34 seconds going through security. These airports provide visitors with a more streamlined security experience, allowing them to spend less time in line and enjoy their destinations more.
The US airports with the longest passport control wait times
1. O'Hare International Airport, Illinois - 25 minutes, 59 seconds
2. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York - 24 minutes, 43 seconds
3. Los Angeles International Airport, California - 23 minutes, 53 seconds
O'Hare International Airport in Illinois ranks first for the longest passport control wait times in the US, with travelers spending an average of 25 minutes and 59 seconds to clear customs.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York wait times are slightly quicker. Passengers face an average wait of 24 minutes and 43 seconds.
Los Angeles International Airport completes the top three, with an average passport control wait of 23 minutes and 53 seconds. These major international hubs see high volumes of domestic and overseas travelers, contributing to the longer average processing times at passport control.
The US airports with the shortest passport control wait times
1. Palm Beach International Airport, Florida - 1 minute, 58 seconds
2. John Wayne Airport, California - 5 minutes, 35 seconds
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona - 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Palm Beach International Airport in Florida leads the US with the shortest passport control wait time, averaging just one minute and 58 seconds. John Wayne Airport in California follows with an average wait of five minutes and 35 seconds, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona takes third place with an average wait of five minutes and 45 seconds. These airports allow travelers to breeze through passport control and leave quickly.
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments on navigating airport delays:
“It’s common to experience delays in the airport, with long security or passport control lines adding to your time spent at international hubs. Knowing which airports are home to the longest delays can provide a more efficient experience and save precious time.
"Busy airports like JFK and LAX are known for their long passport control times. If you have the option, flying into John Wayne Airport instead of Los Angeles International Airport could save you 20 minutes 47 seconds on average. This is a much more convenient choice for travelers in popular Orange County destinations like Santa Ana or the South Bay.
"Knowing these factors ahead of time can help travelers better prepare for unexpected delays, whether using TSA PreCheck to speed up security or having a backup plan in place for transportation. A little preparation can go a long way in avoiding stress at the airport."
Methodology
We looked at airports in the United States and its territories, sourcing the average wait time at passport control using the US Customs and Border Protection CBP Airport Wait Times.
We looked at the average wait time for passengers processed on flights arriving each hour based on how long it took to clear passport control. We calculated the average wait times for each hour that flights arrived over the last year (09/13/2023 – 09/14/2024).
We sourced the average wait time at the TSA for each airport using TSA wait times and calculated the average wait time for passengers arriving at each hour as of 09/18/2024.
We combined the average Passport Control and TSA wait time for each airport to calculate the average total waiting time at each airport.
All figures were rounded to two decimal places.
We used our 2023 study to find the airports with the biggest difference in average wait time in the last year.
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