Few things are more stressful when flying than a security screening line that is far longer than expected. In recent weeks, due to the partial federal government shutdown that left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay, travelers at major airports encountered wait times of up to four hours to clear security. (As of April 2, these bottlenecks have largely eased.)
During “normal” times, it’s easier to determine how early you actually need to arrive, but if you want to find the sweet spot between spending pointless hours at the airport and missing your flight, you should keep an eye on current security wait times, which are available across multiple apps and websites. A reminder, of course, that times are subject to change quickly.
The MyTSA app uses real-time information on wait times
TSA has its own app for iOS and Android that provides estimated wait times for airport security lines. MyTSA uses real-time information (when available) along with historical data, so you can see current estimates as well as standard wait times by day of the week and hour of the day. The app also shows open PreCheck lanes and FAA delays. You can add your most-traveled airports to the main dashboard. Note that during shutdowns, MyTSA may not be updated as frequently, so you should consider a backup and note current recommendations for airport arrival times.
United’s app now has wait times for its U.S. hubs
United Airlines recently added security wait times to its iOS and Android app, but only for its U.S. hubs:
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Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
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Denver International Airport (DEN)
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Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
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San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The app shows wait times for both standard security lanes and PreCheck. United says that these estimates are updated throughout the day based on data collected by the airline. Anyone can use the app, as United’s hubs see plenty of traffic from other airlines, but it won’t be helpful for those traveling through other airports.
Delta allows you to see some TSA wait times on its website
Delta’s app doesn’t have a security wait time feature built in, but Delta customers can see current wait times at Delta hubs on the airline’s website. The following airports are supported:
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
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Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
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Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Current wait times are provided for specific checkpoints at each airport, including standard and PreCheck lanes—data appear to be pulled from individual airport websites. For SLC, Delta also has estimated hourly wait times, which show the highest traffic typically occurring between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. as well as 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Some airport websites will list wait times on their sites
Some larger airports list current or estimated wait times on their own websites, so you can search the name of your airport plus “security wait times” to get information about specific checkpoints and lanes. Smaller airports typically don’t have this real-time data, so you’re better off using the MyTSA app.
These third-party TSA trackers can help determine wait times
There are numerous websites that combine historical data, information published by airports and federal agencies, and crowdsourced estimates to show approximate TSA wait times. Community submissions may be especially helpful during government shutdowns, when TSA isn’t reporting live wait times. A few options include Qsensor (which shows smaller local and international airports), TSA Wait Times, AirlineAirport, and USA Today’s TSA tracker.
