Where Lines Drag Or Move Fast
Is there anything more universally dreaded than the airport security shuffle? We’ve all been there, mentally calculating if we’ll make our flight. But what if you knew which airports were the worst offenders before you even booked your ticket? We've uncovered the major US airports where you'll either be stuck in line forever or breeze through in minutes. This important travel intel will help you plan better and stress less. Let’s begin with the airports that will test your patience the most.
1. Newark Liberty International Airport
Serving the bustling New York metro area, Newark Liberty's aging infrastructure creates notable passenger delays. Prepare for a challenging 23.1-minute average security wait, a reality for many travelers passing through this key hub.
🇺🇸 4K Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal C Walking Tour | 2025 by Walks With Carla
2. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
At Houston's George Bush Intercontinental, the average security wait clocks in at 19.8 minutes. Budgeting extra time is essential, as this major international gateway sees a high volume of global passengers and so demands patience from all travelers.
3. Miami International Airport
As a primary hub for cruise travelers and flights to Latin America, Miami International's checkpoints are frequently congested. This vibrant energy translates into a 19.6-minute average security wait, a significant delay particularly noticeable during peak tourist seasons.
Walking Miami International Airport (MIA) by ActionKid
4. Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Though often seen as a convenient alternative in the DC area, this airport still struggles with notable congestion. Travelers here face an average wait of 18.2 minutes, a number that tends to rise during federal holidays and peak evening hours.
Baltimore Washington International Airport Tour (BWI) | Washington D.C. Airports by neoflyerX
5. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport
The lines at Harry Reid International can feel like a gamble, fueled by a relentless influx of tourists and event-goers. On average, security delays stretch to 17.3 minutes. This constant flow of visitors extends the city’s signature energy to the airport itself.
6. New York LaGuardia Airport
The average security wait time at New York's LaGuardia Airport is a full 17 minutes. Extensive modern renovations have not completely solved the queues, as its compact layout and sheer volume of domestic passengers keep checkpoints perpetually busy.
7. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
As the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta sees a nonstop flow of connecting passengers. Such immense volume keeps TSA agents at maximum capacity and results in a security queue that averages a significant 16.9 minutes for most travelers passing through.
8. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The summer cruise season and heavy international traffic create significant congestion at Seattle-Tacoma International's checkpoints. On average, passengers spend 16.3 minutes waiting to clear security. Travelers should anticipate delays, as this has become the norm for most flying through the airport.
9. San Francisco International Airport
Getting through San Francisco International requires patience, with security lines averaging a solid 16 minutes. A major hub for both international travel and the booming tech industry, SFO's checkpoints are frequently strained, making wait times unpredictable for many flyers.
10. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
With a 16-minute average security wait, New York’s primary international gateway challenges travelers due to its immense scale and constant passenger flow. The sprawling and complex terminal layouts at JFK often contribute to passenger confusion and screening delays.
Survived the list of patience-testers? Your reward is this rundown of airports that get it right. Believe it or not, some places make security feel almost painless.
1. Los Angeles International (LAX)
Despite occasional spikes from international arrivals and uneven TSA staffing across terminals, this airport maintains a quick 13.7-minute average wait. While CLEAR and PreCheck aren't always available, overall efficiency still keeps it among the fastest major hubs.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Walking Tour | All Terminals by SF Traveler
2. Denver International (DEN)
Denver’s massive size doesn’t translate to massive waits, averaging just 13.6 minutes at security. Its centralized checkpoint design handles high passenger volume efficiently, and TSA staffing generally meets demand and keeps the long lines from spiraling out of control.
3. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Despite being a major Delta hub, Minneapolis-St. Paul excels with a 13-minute average security wait. Its well-designed terminals and efficient TSA staffing keep lines moving. For an even quicker pass-through, travelers often find Terminal 2 to be slightly faster.
4. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
An impressive 12.5-minute average wait is the norm in Detroit, where the screening process is streamlined for this Delta hub. Peak delays are rare here, and the TSA consistently meets its throughput goals, which makes it one of the most reliable large airports.
5. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
Moving passengers quickly is Phoenix Sky Harbor's specialty, with an 11-minute average wait time. TSA PreCheck lanes are well-staffed for a speedy experience, and insiders know Terminal 3 is usually the fastest checkpoint.
6. Pittsburgh International (PIT)
A compact terminal layout helps give Pittsburgh an average wait time of just 11 minutes. Weekdays see low congestion, and the widespread adoption of TSA PreCheck improves flow and makes it a surprisingly efficient airport for getting to your gate.
7. Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)
Baltimore-Washington offers a swift 10.5-minute average wait, but watch out for the 8 p.m. hour when delays are longest. Plus, the Sunday peak can stretch your wait to 13 minutes, which is still manageable.
Baltimore/Washington International Airport - BWI - Complete 4K Airport Tour by Miles By Foot
8. Salt Lake City International (SLC)
You'll find a refreshingly quick experience at Salt Lake City, with an average security wait of only 10 minutes. Its efficient new terminal design and widespread use of TSA PreCheck help. For the best experience, travel on a Wednesday between 6 and 7 p.m.
9. Washington Dulles International (IAD)
Keeping lines moving is a priority at Washington Dulles, with a breezy 10-minute average wait supported by high TSA staffing. CLEAR Lanes are available, and consistent throughput across terminals makes it one of the most predictable airports for clearing security.
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10. Nashville International (BNA)
Nashville tops the charts with a stunningly low 9-minute average wait time, a traveler’s dream. Its efficient checkpoint layout and smooth throughput during off-peak hours are key, and active expansion plans promise to keep things moving in the future.
