- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Airports Offer Real-Time TSA Wait Times to Avoid Delays
Travelers can check security line conditions before heading to the airport
Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:07pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Airports across the U.S. are providing real-time updates on TSA security wait times to help travelers avoid missing flights due to long lines. Flyers can check estimated wait times through airport websites, the MyTSA mobile app, and programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to plan their airport arrival accordingly.
Why it matters
With staffing shortages and high passenger volumes, airport security lines have become increasingly unpredictable. By providing real-time data on wait times, airports are empowering travelers to make informed decisions about when to arrive at the airport and which security checkpoints to use, reducing stress and the risk of missing flights.
The details
Hundreds of airports now publish estimated TSA wait times, either on their own websites or through the MyTSA app. The data is updated throughout the day and can be filtered by terminal and checkpoint. Airports like Los Angeles International (LAX) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) offer some of the most detailed real-time information. Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry also provide expedited screening for approved travelers, with most PreCheck passengers waiting less than 10 minutes. However, some airports have had to close dedicated PreCheck lanes due to staffing shortages, so travelers are advised to check app updates.
- Airports are still dealing with longer than normal wait times due to the partial government shutdown, which has left TSA employees working without pay.
- TSA generally recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, even for PreCheck members.
The players
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The federal agency responsible for airport security screening in the United States.
MyTSA
A mobile app that provides real-time information on TSA security wait times at over 300 airports across the country.
TSA PreCheck
A trusted traveler program that allows approved passengers to use expedited security lanes at participating U.S. airports.
Global Entry
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that provides expedited customs processing for international travelers returning to the United States, and includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
The takeaway
By providing real-time data on TSA security wait times, airports are empowering travelers to plan their airport arrival more effectively and avoid the stress of long lines, especially at major hubs like LAX and DFW. Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can also help frequent flyers bypass standard screening, but travelers should still check for any changes to expedited lane availability.
