TSA Delays and Shutdown Impacting US Airports

Travelers flying in the US are facing increasingly lengthy waits at security checkpoints as a result of a partial government shutdown and subsequent staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The situation, exacerbated by missed paychecks for TSA agents, is causing unpredictable delays across the country, particularly during the spring break travel season.

Shutdown and Staffing Shortages

A partial government shutdown has left the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA unfunded, leading to unpaid agents. As of March 22, 2026, reports indicate that as many as 10% of TSA agents have been calling out on several days, with some airports experiencing absence rates as high as 40.8% (USA Today). This unpredictability in staffing levels is the primary driver of the fluctuating security line lengths.

Airport-Specific Delays

Delays vary significantly by airport. Here’s a snapshot of conditions as of March 22, 2026:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Wait times have fluctuated, with delays exceeding 90 minutes on some days, and over a third of TSA staff absent on certain occasions. (USA Today)
• Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Passengers have reported waits of up to three hours. (USA Today)
• JFK International Airport (New York): Wait times have ranged from 17 to 30 minutes. JFK has deployed additional staff to manage queues. (USA Today)
• Newark Liberty International Airport: Passengers have experienced lines up to 44 minutes long. (USA Today)
• LaGuardia Airport (New York): Currently experiencing the lowest wait times among major tri-state airports, ranging from “no wait” to four minutes. (USA Today)
• Denver International Airport: Currently experiencing short lines of five minutes or less. (USA Today)
• Los Angeles International Airport: Average wait times are around seven minutes for passengers without TSA PreCheck. (USA Today)
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Wait times have been capped at 13 minutes, and are often less than 10 minutes. (USA Today)
• Las Vegas McCarran International Airport: Reportedly experiencing minimal lines. (USA Today)

Checking TSA Wait Times

Travelers can check current TSA wait times through several resources:

• Airport Websites: Many major airports, including Atlanta, Houston, JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Denver, post live wait time information on their websites.
• MyTSA App: The MyTSA app provides estimated wait times, though it may rely on historical data if live data is unavailable.

Future Outlook

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that airport delays could worsen as the shutdown continues and TSA agents approach their next missed paycheck. He indicated that some airports could potentially be forced to close (USA Today).

Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport up to three hours before their scheduled flight, even for domestic travel, to account for potential delays.

Acceptable Identification: Passengers 18 and older must present valid identification at the airport checkpoint. Acceptable forms of ID include state-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards, U.S. Passports, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and foreign government-issued passports. (TSA)