Delayed- US Airports Ranked Based on Delays and TSA Wait Times

Air travel can be stressful, but there are ways to minimizefrustration. By knowing which airports have the best and worst track records for on-time departures and TSA security wait times, you can make sure your next trip is as smooth as possible.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the latest data on airline delays and TSA wait times at US airports. We’ll also share some tips for avoiding long lines and getting to your destination on time.

So whether you’re a frequent flyer or just planning your next trip, read on to learn more about the best and worst domestic US airports for airline delays and TSA security wait times.

Here are some of the topics we’ll cover in the article:

• The best and worst airports for on-time departures
• The best times to fly to minimize the likelihood of a delay
• The best and worst airports for TSA security wait times
• Tips for avoiding long TSA lines
• How to check airport wait times before you go

Below is a ranking of the US airports from worst to best for on-time departures, based on data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics:

Worst Airports for On-Time Departures

1.  LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – 67% on-time departures

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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York

2.  Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 69% on-time departures

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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey

3.  New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – 70% on-time departures

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New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York

4.  Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – 71% on-time departures

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Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts

5.  Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 72% on-time departures

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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia

6.  Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – 73% on-time departures

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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida

7.  Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 74% on-time departures

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Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois

8.  Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 75% on-time departures

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Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas

9.  Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – 75% on-time departures

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Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Pennsylvania

10.  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – 76% on-time departures

Best Airports for On-Time Departures

So now that we know the worst airports for on time departures here are the best:

1.  Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 82% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.orgSalt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah

2.  Portland International Airport (PDX) – 81% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowwww.flypdx.comPortland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon

3.  Honolulu International Airport (HNL) – 80% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowairports.hawaii.govHonolulu International Airport (HNL) in Hawaii

4.  San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 79% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowwww.thesanfranciscopeninsula.comSan Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California

5.  Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – 79% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowwww.internationalairportreview.comMinneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota

6.  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – 78% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowwww.skyharbor.comPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Arizona

7.  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – 78% on-time departures

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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Washington

8.  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – 77% on-time departures

Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.orgDetroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan

9.  San Diego International Airport (SAN) – 77% on-time departures

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San Diego International Airport (SAN) in California

10.  Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) – 77% on-time departures

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Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Georgia

Avoiding or Minimizing Delays:

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the best times to fly are early in the morning or late at night. Flights that depart between 6am and 8am, and after 10pm, are generally less likely to be delayed.

The worst times to fly are mid-day and on weekends. Flights that depart between 11am and 3pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, are more likely to be delayed.

Here are some other tips for avoiding flight delays:

• Avoid flying during peak travel times, such as holidays and summer vacation.
• Choose a smaller airport. Smaller airports tend to have fewer delays than larger airports.
• Sign up for airline alerts. Many airlines allow you to sign up for email or text alerts if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
• Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can, try to book your flight for a less busy day or time.
• Be sure to allow adequate time for connections and know what to expect at the airport you’re going to, most airlines provide maps of the airports they fly into in their in flight magazine familiarizing yourself with your connecting airport and the best route and means to get to your gate can be the difference between a connection and missed connection.
• Weather…..seriously, consider the impact the weather might have on your flight from severe weather to regular afternoon thunderstorms, the natural phenomenon that is weather can have a significant impact on your travel plans so don’t underestimate it and the importance of respecting it.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of having a smooth and on-time flight.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• The Bureau of Transportation Statistics: https://www.bts.gov/
• FlightAware: https://flightaware.com/
• The FAA: https://www.faa.gov/

Security Wait Times

Of course delayed departures aren’t the only thing to worry about at the airport, we all know security can cause some major delays in getting to the gate!  So, now we’ll take a look at security wait times.  

Worst Airports for TSA Wait Times

1.  Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 23.1 minutes

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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey

2.  St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) – 26.36 minutes

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3.  St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) in Missouri

4.  Miami International Airport (MIA) – 26.57 minutes

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Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida

5.  San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 27.2 minutes

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California

6.  Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 27.3 minutes

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7.  Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California

8.  Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 27.5 minutes

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Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas

9.  Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 27.6 minutes

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O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois

10.  Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 27.7 minutes

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Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida

11.  Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) – 27.8 minutes

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Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Georgia

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – 27.9 minutes

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Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Pennsylvania

Best Airports for TSA Wait Times

1.  Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – 10.9 minutes

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Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in Indiana

2.  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – 11.2 minutes

3.  Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – 11.6 minutes

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Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina

4.  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – 11.9 minutes

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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan

5.  Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 12 minutes

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Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah

6.  Portland International Airport (PDX) – 12.1 minutes

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Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon

7.  Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 12.3 minutes

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Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Florida

8.  Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – 12.4 minutes

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Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota

9.  Denver International Airport (DEN) – 12.5 minutes

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Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado

10.  San Diego International Airport (SAN) – 12.6 minutes

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San Diego International Airport (SAN) in California

Here are some tips for avoiding long TSA wait times:

• Travel during off-peak hours.
• Sign up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• Arrive at the airport early.
• Use the TSA’s Travel Ready App to check wait times before you go.
• Be prepared with the necessary documents.
• Be patient and courteous to the TSA agents.

Check TSA Wait times real time in advance on the Department of Homeland Securities Check Wait Times website so you can plan accordingly.

Safe travels and may your travels be sweet, easy, and stress free!