Which airports have worst TSA wait times now?

TSA staffing shortages: where wait times are worst

Airport security delays have become a major pinch point for travelers, with TSA and other airport staffing constraints driving long queues and missed connections during the current travel disruption period.

Multiple reports highlight that wait times are not evenly distributed—some airports are seeing especially high demand and staffing call-outs. The most explicitly named hubs with some of the longest lines include:

• Houston
• Atlanta
• New York

The underlying issue is a mismatch between passenger volumes and screening staffing. Coverage ties the surge in delays to the broader staffing environment affecting airport operations, with travelers noticing line build-ups that can stretch well beyond normal peak-time expectations.

For planning, the practical takeaway is to treat security as the schedule “risk point.” If you have a tight itinerary—especially spring break departures, business travel, or connections—building additional buffer time for screening can reduce the odds of arriving late to the gate.

If you’re flying out of one of the airports experiencing especially long waits, consider:

• arriving earlier than usual;
• checking disruption/delay information before leaving for the airport; and
• choosing flexible ticketing where possible during uncertain operations.

While the reporting points to the airports above as having among the worst current wait times, it also emphasizes that airport conditions can change quickly as staffing and demand shift, so travelers should re-check status close to departure.

Overall, the delays matter because they can cascade: longer TSA lines can lead to gate closings, missed boarding, and tighter connection windows—turning a routine airport process into the biggest determinant of whether a trip stays on track.