With the federal shutdown continuing, both Transportation Security Administration screeners and air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to widespread absenteeism and operational strain. The result has been hours-long TSA lines at major airports and a surge in flight delays and ground holds as facilities struggle to manage with reduced staffing levels.
The Worst U.S. Airports for Security Delays Right Now
Based on current reports about TSA wait times and airport operations, the following airports are seeing the longest lines and most persistent slowdowns:
- Newark Liberty (EWR)
- LaGuardia (LGA)
- John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)
- Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Denver (DEN)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
Waits have surpassed 60 minutes at many of these airports, with some travelers reporting two- to three-hour lines at peak times. TSA checkpoints in the New York area, Texas, and Florida have been particularly overburdened as personnel shortages worsen.
FAA Reduces Air Traffic Capacity
The Federal Aviation Administration has now confirmed a 10% reduction in total flight capacity across roughly 40 of the busiest U.S. airports. This is a direct response to the staffing shortage caused by the shutdown. The agency said it is prioritizing safety while operating with a “minimum essential” number of air traffic controllers.
This reduction means airlines are being asked to trim scheduled departures and arrivals, creating bottlenecks even before passengers reach TSA lines. Some major airports—including Newark, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Orlando—are experiencing cascading effects where longer taxi and ground times add to security wait frustrations.
According to recent reports, several control towers have reduced active positions during certain shifts, leading to holding patterns, slower arrivals, and lengthened departure queues. FAA officials have warned that if the shutdown continues, additional airports could be subject to further flight caps or limited tower operations.
Regional Notes You Should Know
New York–New Jersey airports under pressure. Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK are each facing multi-hour delays in both security and air traffic flow. Newark in particular has reported repeated ground stops due to controller shortages.
Texas hubs among the hardest hit. Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston Bush Intercontinental have seen the longest TSA delays outside the Northeast. Both airports are critical connection points for national and international flights, magnifying their impact across the system.
West Coast bottlenecks. Los Angeles and San Francisco are facing heavy slowdowns, with FAA staffing issues limiting the number of simultaneous arrivals and departures, compounding TSA line backups.
Why Lines Are So Long
During a shutdown, TSA officers and air traffic controllers are deemed essential personnel, meaning they must work without pay until funding is restored. The financial strain and exhaustion have caused increased call-outs, forcing airports to consolidate lanes, reassign officers, and scale down operations. Even small slowdowns ripple through the system, creating longer waits and flight delays nationwide.
The FAA’s decision to cut 10% of flight capacity is designed to prevent overloading the remaining staff, but the move effectively slows the entire national airspace system.
What To Do If You Are Flying Soon
Arrive much earlier than usual.
Add 60–120 minutes to your normal buffer, especially at any of the ten airports listed above. For domestic flights, plan on arriving three hours early; for international flights, four hours.
Use trusted traveler programs if available.
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear may still help, though these lines can also back up when staffing is stretched thin.
Monitor everything from your phone.
Track flights through your airline’s app and check airport status updates frequently. If your airline allows same-day flight changes, consider moving to an earlier departure.
Avoid tight connections.
Choose longer layovers—especially when connecting through New York, Texas, or California airports.
Choose morning flights.
Early departures are less affected by accumulated delays throughout the day.
Pack for easy screening.
Keep electronics, liquids, and snacks accessible. Avoid overpacking dense items in one bag.
Be flexible about checkpoints.
If one security line is stalled, check for alternate TSA checkpoints within your terminal.
If you miss your flight due to TSA delays, contact your airline immediately for rebooking options. Many carriers are offering limited fee waivers during the shutdown.
Stay calm and prepared.
Remember that the staff managing these lines are working without pay, and tensions are high across the system.
More Tips
The Bigger Picture
Industry analysts estimate the government shutdown is costing the U.S. travel economy roughly $1 billion per week. With the FAA’s 10% capacity reduction in effect, delays are expected to persist even if TSA lines improve temporarily. If the shutdown extends into the holiday season, travelers can expect worsening congestion, longer flight times, and more cancellations at the nation’s largest airports.
