Where TSA Lines Are Longest Today

TSA wait times change hour by hour and vary wildly between airports. The busiest airports for security screening right now are typically Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Denver (DEN)—but "busy" at these hubs does not always mean long waits. A 15-minute line at ATL during peak hours is normal; a 45-minute line is a delay.

The TSA publishes real-time wait times on its official website and through the MyTSA mobile app. Both show current screening times at each checkpoint, updated every few minutes. You can search by airport code or airport name. The app also lets you set alerts for specific airports, so you know when waits spike before you leave for the terminal.

Wait times depend on the time of day, day of the week, and season far more than on the airport itself. Early morning (5 a.m. to 7 a.m.) and late evening (after 8 p.m.) typically have shorter lines. Mid-morning (9 a.m. to noon) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) are peak hours almost everywhere. Weekdays are usually lighter than weekends and holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • The TSA website and MyTSA app show current wait times at every airport checkpoint, updated every few minutes.
  • The same airport can have 10-minute waits at 6 a.m. and 60-minute waits at 10 a.m., so check the time of day you are traveling.
  • Early morning and late evening flights typically have shorter security lines than mid-morning and afternoon departures.
  • Airports with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR lanes may have separate, faster lines even when the main checkpoint is backed up.

How to Check Wait Times Before You Go to the Airport

Open the MyTSA app on your phone or visit tsa.gov and click "Wait Times" at the top of the page. Type in your airport code or airport name. The page will show you every checkpoint at that airport and the current wait time at each one. Some large airports have multiple security checkpoints in different terminals or concourses, so you may see different times listed.

The times update every few minutes, so check again 30 minutes before you leave for the airport. If the wait is longer than you expected, you have time to adjust—leave earlier, use a different checkpoint if your airport has multiple ones, or consider whether TSA PreCheck or CLEAR membership would help on future trips.

The app also shows historical wait time data for your airport by day of week and time of day. If you are planning a trip weeks in advance, you can see patterns: "Tuesdays at 7 a.m. are usually under 10 minutes, but Fridays at 10 a.m. average 35 minutes." This helps you book flights at times when security is typically faster.

Why Wait Times Spike at Certain Airports

Large hub airports—where many airlines have connecting flights—naturally have longer lines because more passengers are passing through security at the same time. ATL, DFW, LAX, ORD, and DEN are hubs for Delta, American, United, or Southwest, so they see constant traffic. A flight delay at one of these hubs can also back up security, because passengers from delayed flights pile into the checkpoint all at once.

Staffing levels affect wait times too. The TSA schedules officers based on expected passenger volume, but unexpected surges (weather delays, system outages, or holidays) can overwhelm a checkpoint. Some airports have more PreCheck lanes than others, which splits the passenger flow and can reduce overall wait times even when total passengers are high.

Construction or checkpoint closures also create bottlenecks. If an airport is renovating a security area, remaining checkpoints handle all the traffic. The TSA website notes when checkpoints are closed, so check there if you see unusually long times at an airport you know well.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR: Separate, Faster Lines

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you use a dedicated security lane. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on; leave your laptop and liquids in your bag; and move through screening faster. PreCheck lines are almost always shorter than standard lines, even at busy airports. You explore online, pay the fee, and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center—the whole process takes about a week.

CLEAR costs $179 to $189 per year and uses biometric scanning (your eyes and fingerprints) to skip the ID check line entirely. You walk to a CLEAR kiosk, scan your face or fingerprint, and go straight to the checkpoint. CLEAR is available at major airports but not all of them. Many travelers combine both: CLEAR to skip the ID line, then PreCheck to move through the checkpoint faster.

Neither PreCheck nor CLEAR guarantees you will avoid a long wait—you still go through the same metal detector or body scanner as everyone else. But both reduce the time you spend waiting in line before screening begins. If you travel more than twice a year, the cost often pays for itself in time saved.

What to Do If You Arrive and the Line Is Longer Than Expected

If you are already at the airport and the security line is much longer than the app showed, ask a TSA officer or airport staff member if there are other checkpoints open. Large airports often have multiple security areas in different terminals or concourses. You may be able to walk to a less crowded checkpoint and save 20 or 30 minutes.

If your flight is within 30 minutes and the line is very long, tell a TSA officer when ready. They have the authority to move you to the front of the line if you are at risk of missing your flight. Bring your boarding pass and ID and explain your situation clearly. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.

If you miss your flight because of a security delay, contact your airline at the gate or ticket counter right away. Most airlines will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge if the delay was caused by TSA screening, not by you arriving late. Document the time you entered the security line and the time you reached the checkpoint—this helps your case.

Planning Around Peak Travel Times

If you have flexibility in when you book your flight, choose early morning (5 a.m. to 8 a.m.) or late evening (after 8 p.m.) departures. Security lines are shortest at these times because fewer people are traveling. Mid-morning and afternoon flights are busiest, especially on Fridays and Sundays.

Avoid traveling on major holidays or the days when ready before and after them. Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, and summer vacation periods see the longest TSA lines of the year. If you must travel during these times, arrive at the airport even earlier than usual—the app may show 30-minute waits, but actual waits can be 50 minutes or more.

Arriving 2 hours before a domestic flight is the standard recommendation, but at busy airports during peak times, 2.5 hours is safer. Check the app 30 minutes before you leave home, add the current wait time to your checkpoint time (usually 5 to 10 minutes), and see if you still have a comfortable buffer. If not, leave earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see TSA wait times for a future date, not just today?

No, the TSA app and website show only current wait times and historical averages by day and time. You cannot see the exact wait time for next Tuesday at 10 a.m. But you can see that "Tuesdays at 10 a.m. average 22 minutes" based on past data, which helps you plan. Check the app the morning of your flight for the most accurate picture.

Do TSA wait times include the time to get through the body scanner?

The wait time shown is the time from when you enter the line until you reach the checkpoint podium where you show your ID. It does not include the time to remove items, go through the scanner, and collect your belongings on the other side—that usually adds 5 to 10 minutes. Plan accordingly.

What if the TSA app is not working or shows no wait time?

If the app is down, call the airport directly or visit the airport's website, which often displays TSA wait times too. You can also call the TSA at 1-855-787-2227. If no data is available, assume peak-time waits (30 to 45 minutes at major airports) and arrive extra early.

Are TSA wait times the same at every checkpoint in a large airport?

No. Large airports like LAX, ORD, and ATL have multiple security checkpoints in different terminals or concourses, and wait times vary between them. The app shows each checkpoint separately. If one is backed up, another may be much faster—ask an airport employee which checkpoint to use.

Does TSA PreCheck reduce wait times during holidays?

PreCheck lanes are usually shorter than standard lanes even during holidays, but they still get busy. On major holidays, PreCheck wait times can reach 20 to 30 minutes instead of 60 to 90 minutes in the standard line. You still save significant time, but do not expect empty lanes.