Traveling can be a real headache, especially when you turn a corner at the airport and come face to face with a ginormous security line. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring our safety, there’s no denying that waiting in line can be the worst. This is especially true when you're in a rush. In many instances, having TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, Global Entry, or Clear proves to be a silver lining in situations like this. It's a lifesaver when you're in a hurry and don't have to deal with taking off your shoes, belts, jackets, and laptops, and pulling out your liquids from your bags at security. But not everyone's got these perks.
Bounce, a worldwide luggage storage app, analyzed data from the TSA, as well as U.S. Customs & Border Protection, to find out the airports with the longest and shortest wait times. They did note that these times just refer to how long it takes to clear security checks and passport control. Bounce also acknowledges that it could take longer to collect your luggage or make your way through the terminal.
The U.S. airports with the longest wait times.
Two Florida airports are in the lead for the longest wait times. Miami International Airport claims the top spot, with an average security wait time of 24 minutes and 3 seconds. Additionally, it records an average passport control wait time of 22 minutes and 3 seconds. When these times are combined, the total average wait time comes to 46 minutes and 57 seconds. The justification provided for this extended wait is that Miami serves as the primary gateway from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean and is a significant airline hub nationwide.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport secures the second spot, with a combined wait time for security and passport control totaling 46 minutes and 41 seconds. The average security wait time at this airport stands at 18 minutes and 18 seconds. The average passport control wait time is 28 minutes and 23 seconds, according to the study's findings.
Palm Beach International Airport in Florida also makes the list at number 7. It features a combined average waiting time of about 38 minutes. Specifically, the average security wait time at this airport is 36 minutes and 18 seconds, while the average passport control wait time is notably shorter, at 2 minutes and 24 seconds.
On the other hand, for airports with the shortest wait times, Raleigh-Durham International Airport takes the number one spot. This is followed by Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
See more findings from this study here.
