which airports have long tsa lines

Here are the airports showing the longest TSA lines right now: Orlando (MCO) and Newark (EWR) were at about 50 minutes, followed by Tampa (TPA) and Bradley (BDL) at about 39 minutes; Atlanta (ATL) and JFK were around 25 minutes in the latest live snapshot. Another recent report said Houston’s airports, Atlanta, JFK, Newark, Orlando, Chicago O’Hare, and some Florida hubs have all seen extended delays, with some checkpoints reaching hour-plus waits or even much longer during peak disruption.

Airports with the worst waits

• Orlando International (MCO) — 50 min.

• Newark Liberty International (EWR) — 50 min.

• Tampa International (TPA) — 39 min.

• Bradley International (BDL) — 39 min.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) — 25 min.

• John F. Kennedy International (JFK) — 25 min.

Airports often mentioned in delay reports

• Houston airports, especially Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), have been among the most affected in recent reports.

• New York airports, especially JFK and Newark, have also shown recurring long-line problems.

• Florida airports like Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami have repeatedly appeared in delay lists.

Why it happens

Long TSA lines usually come from a mix of staffing shortages, peak travel periods, and passenger volume. Recent coverage also noted that delays can change quickly during the day, so an airport that looks manageable in the morning can become much worse later.

Practical move

If you’re flying soon, check the live wait estimate for your exact terminal before leaving, and give yourself extra time at the bigger hubs above.