Airports with the longest TSA wait times

Quick insights

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) tends to have longer average wait times of over 15 minutes.
• TSA wait times could be 45 minutes or more due to factors like seasonal travel surges, TSA staffing levels and unprepared passengers holding up the line.
• Knowing TSA restrictions and packing an organized carry-on bag are a few ways to ease the screening process.

If you’re running late for a flight, a long line at airport security is probably the last thing you want to encounter. While many factors can result in long lines, some airport security checkpoints are more efficient than others. Knowing which airports have the longest average wait times can help you plan your travel.

In this article, we’ll cover the airports with the longest TSA wait times and some potential ways to get to your airport gate faster.

Understanding what causes long TSA lines

Why are TSA lines so long? Airports can have long TSA wait times for a range of reasons, from resource constraints to seasonal travel. Here are some factors that can extend your time in line at a security checkpoint:

• Passenger volume: During peak travel seasons, holidays and weekends, there may be a surge of passengers moving through TSA security lanes.
• Traveler preparedness: Travelers who aren’t familiar with TSA guidelines (taking off shoes, removing electronics from bags, prohibited carry-on items and other rules) can sometimes hold up the line.
• Security measures and screening equipment: TSA screenings include baggage checks and personal scans using sophisticated technologies. The screenings can be time-consuming under normal conditions, and if a less experienced TSA agent is operating the equipment, it could potentially add time to the process. Additionally, some airports have equipment shortages, which limits how many security lanes they can open.
• Staffing shortages: Staffing challenges are another factor that can limit how many security lanes are open. At times, TSA has faced staffing shortages, which may be caused by budget constraints, layoffs or turnover.
• Airport layout: Some security checkpoints—particularly those with small or old facilities—are constrained by the physical layout of the airport. The available space can limit the number of security lanes in operation.

Airports with long lines at airport security

The following airports often have longer wait times of over 15 minutes:

1. STL, Missouri: 16:16
2. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Texas: 15:53
3. Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida: 15:34

If you consider the combined average wait time for both TSA and passport control, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, MCO in Florida and O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois tend to have the longest wait times.

Tips for avoiding long TSA lines

Many factors influence your actual wait time at airport security, making it difficult to predict. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll avoid long TSA lines, these tips may ease the security screening process:

• Know TSA carry-on restrictions: Carry-on bags are screened at TSA security checkpoints. Passengers may have a more streamlined screening when they comply with TSA and airline carry-on restrictions. Observing TSA’s food restrictions may help expedite the screening, too.
• Keep an organized carry-on bag: Packing a well-organized bag may help expedite baggage screening. Additionally, complying with TSA sizing requirements for carry-on bags can prevent you from having to check your bag at the gate.
• Avoid travel during peak times: Travel during holidays, weekends or peak travel seasons like summer vacation often results in a longer wait time than under normal conditions. The time of day is another factor. For instance, security checkpoints may have a high volume of passengers on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons due to business travel.
• Monitor wait times on day of travel: Some airport websites and third-party apps provide current wait times at security checkpoints, which passengers can monitor on the day of travel.
• Consider average wait times when booking flights: Passengers may consider an airport or terminal’s average wait time before they book their flight, especially if there are significant differences among airports in their region.
• Fly first class or get elite status: Many airlines offer a priority security line for first and business class passengers or customers who have achieved elite status in their loyalty program. 

While it won’t impact your TSA wait time, using mobile boarding passes and completing the airline check-in process—including reporting any checked bags—before your arrival at the airport could shorten the time it takes to get to your gate.

In summary

STL, AUS and MCO are the airports that tend to have longer average TSA wait times of 15 minutes or more. Long TSA lines often occur due to surges in passengers during peak times, TSA staffing levels, traveler preparedness and other factors.

A few potential ways to avoid a long airport security wait time include observing TSA rules, keeping an organized bag and avoiding travel during peak times.