Top 10 U.S. Airports Where You Must Arrive Extra Early

Picture this: you’re going through a bustling terminal, clutching your boarding pass, with mere seconds left, until greeted by the ocean of travelers snaking through TSA. For many, this stress begins the moment their Uber pulls up to the curb terminal.

But what if your destination isn’t the real problem—it’s your departure point?

Let’s face it, not all airports operate at the same pace. While some can whisk you through security in under ten minutes, others test your patience—and your travel karma. With travel season ramping up, knowing which airports to approach with extra caution could mean the difference between a relaxed pre-flight coffee and a frantic sprint to the gate.

We tapped into the latest data from travel site Bounce, and gathered insight from a former TSA agent and a jet-setting travel pro to help you navigate the worst—and best—U.S. airports for wait times.

How Were the Airport Wait Times Calculated?

Before we even dive into listing all the airports you should keep your eyes on, let’s first explain how this study was determined.

To determine the fastest and the slowest Airports, Bounce analyzed U.S. airports based on the data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as TSA wait times. They averaged hourly wait times of passport control for flights that landed between September 13, 2023, and September 14, 2024.

TSA wait times used the hourly passenger numbers as of 18th September 2024. The combined total average wait time for both passport control and TSA at each airport was used to calculate the average at each airport, where the figures were rounded up to two decimal places.

With that said, we will share both the slowest and fastest airports, along with other important categories.

Slowest and Fastest Airports in the United States

Where Time Stands Still: America’s Slowest Airports for TSA Wait Times

If you are leaving from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), pack your patience. The average wait at TSA in STL is 16 minutes and 16 seconds, and they are thus first on the list with regard to the longest queues in the country.

And remember—averages don’t account for bad luck or under-staffed shifts.

Trailing closely behind:

• Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Texas – 15 mins, 53 secs
• Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida – 15 mins, 34 secs

In general, these airports are known for bottlenecks, heavy foot traffic, and peak-hour pileups. If you’re a last-minute airport arrival type, think again.

Speed Stars: Airports That Get You Through in a Flash

Some airports know how to run a tight ship, and it shows in their lightning-fast security lines.

Top performers include:

• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Florida – just 5 mins, 29 secs
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF), California – 7 mins, 5 secs
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Nevada – 7 mins, 34 secs

Flying out of one of these? You might just have time to grab that overpriced latte and browse duty-free.

Passport Pain: Airports with the Longest Waits at U.S. Customs

Coming home from an international adventure? Brace yourself. Some airports are notorious for sluggish passport control.

• Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Illinois – 25 mins, 59 secs
• JFK (New York) – 24 mins, 43 secs
• Los Angeles International (LAX) – 23 mins, 53 secs

Connecting flights? Good luck. If you’re touching down in one of these, give yourself a generous layover cushion.

Best Overall: Airports with the Shortest Combined Wait Times

It’s not all doom and delays. These airports shine in both TSA and passport control efficiency:

1. Palm Beach International (PBI) – Total: 7 mins, 27 secs
2. John Wayne Airport (SNA), California – 14 mins, 38 secs
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Arizona – 16 mins, 56 secs

They’re your best bet for a stress-free departure and smooth return.

Worst Overall: Airports Where You Lose the Most Time

Ready for the hall of fame (or shame)? These airports rack up the highest combined wait times:

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport: 39 mins and 48 secs
2. Orlando International Airport: 39 mins and 16 secs
3. O’Hare International Airport: 37 mins and 52 secs
4. Los Angeles International Airport: 35 mins and 25 secs
5. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: 35 mins and 22 secs
6. Miami International Airport: 34 mins and 59 secs
7. San Francisco International Airport: 33 mins and 44 secs
8. George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 33 mins and 9 secs
9. Ontario International Airport (California): 33 mins and 7 secs
10. Salt Lake City International Airport: 32 mins and 40 secs

They’re big, busy, and often bottlenecked. If you’re flying through these, leave early—really early.

Insider Tips to Speed Through Security (From People Who Know)

Want to turn your airport dread into a smooth departure? These tricks can save you time and stress.

1. Enroll in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear

These programs speed up your screening process. According to a former TSA officer, Caleb Harmon-Marshall and a seasoned traveler, Amber Gibson, this is the case. Having TSA PreCheck and Clear is a power move.

Bonus? Some of the premium credit cards will even pay the way through the sign-up fees.

2. Know Your Liquid Limits

Do not be that person who is holding up the line with a full-size shampoo bottle. Liquids should not be more than 3.4 ounces in a quart-sized bag. Anything more? Check it or chuck it.

3. Find the Hidden Checkpoint

The sharp-minded travelers understand that most of the major airports have multiple TSA checkpoints, and not all are at the same capacity. For instance, Atlanta’s ATL provides access to all the terminals, regardless of the checkpoint used. Scout for a quieter entry.

4. Use TSA Cares for Special Assistance

Are you traveling with a medical problem or disability, or with small kids? TSA Cares is a free support program to help you sail through. Call at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours in advance in order to get some help.

5. Maximize Your Elite Status

Traveling first class or being an elite member of an airline? You may be eligible for a separate check-in as well as an exclusive security line. In the LAX, Delta One flyers have a luxe experience, with drinks and snacks to spare.

6. Check Your ID—Twice

Expired ID = big delays, or even denied boarding. Double-check your license or passport validity before heading out the door.

The Takeaway

Time is the only thing that you cannot buy back, especially at an airport line. If you are a regular flier or that once-a-year vacationer, it makes a lot of sense to know which airports can slow you down and how to do them smarter.

So, next time you’re booking that flight, consider not just where you’re going, but where you’re leaving from. A few extra minutes of planning could mean a smooth glide to your gate—or a last-minute sprint you’ll never forget.