Traveling Through These 15 U.S. Airports? Better Arrive Extra Early

Heading to the airport can be stressful, with long lines and busy terminals. That’s why giving yourself plenty of time to reach your gate is important. Here’s a list of 15 U.S. airports where arriving ahead of schedule is smart.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Passengers are advised to get to O’Hare 3 hours before their flight. It’s a huge airport with over 73.9 million passengers in 2023 and 193 gates, making navigation time-consuming. The airport is also short-staffed, with fewer employees per square mile than the national average, which can lead to delays. Factor in extra time for parking and potential traffic, especially during bad weather or holidays.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Passengers flying from Los Angeles International Airport should arrive 2 hours and 59 minutes before their flight. It’s the second-busiest airport in the U.S., serving over 42 million passengers annually with nine terminals and 146 gates. Due to heavy traffic, passengers need extra time to navigate to their boarding areas, and they should also consider the traffic outside the airport.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport at least 2 hours and 58 minutes before your flight, especially for international flights. JFK has five terminals and serves over 30 million passengers annually. Due to larger aircraft and more passengers, international flights often require longer boarding times. The average TSA wait time is around 16.40 minutes.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Passengers should arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at least 2 hours and 55 minutes before their flight. With 46.1 million passengers in 2023, it’s the busiest airport in Texas for international travel and the second busiest overall in the state. The average wait time is about 17.1 minutes.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

If you’re departing from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, it’s best to be there at least 2 hours and 50 minutes before your flight. The reason for this is simple: the airport is huge. DFW is like a small city with five terminals, 171 gates, and seven runways. It is larger than Manhattan and even has its own zip code.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Arrive at least 2 hours and 48 minutes before your flight at the Miami International Airport. Miami is Florida’s busiest airport, handling total aircraft operations, cargo, and passengers. MIA is also a major hub for Florida, offering connections to the Caribbean, Latin America, and more. With North, Central, and South Terminals, it’s the fourteenth busiest U.S. airport, serving 52.3 million passengers in 2023. The average wait time is around 6 minutes.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Arrive at least 2 hours and 45 minutes before your San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flight. In 2023, it ranked as the fourteenth busiest airport in the U.S. and the thirtieth busiest globally by passenger count. SFO is United Airlines’ fifth-largest hub and a major maintenance center. It’s also a hub for Alaska Airlines. Expect an average security wait time of around 7 minutes.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Make sure to arrive at least 2 hours and 45 minutes before your flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina. CLT is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and the world. With one main terminal and five concourses, the airport saw a record-breaking 53,445,770 passengers in 2023, prompting a $4 billion overhaul to accommodate the growing number of travelers. 

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Passengers traveling through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) must arrive at least 2 hours and 44 minutes before their flight. Serving the nation’s seventh-largest metropolitan area, PHL saw over 28.1 million passengers in 2023, a 12.6 percent increase from the previous year. It has seven terminal buildings, and the standard security wait time is about six minutes.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Airport is one of the busiest in the U.S., handling over 40 million passengers annually. To account for busy TSA checkpoints and potential flight delays, the best time to arrive at EWR is at least 2 hours and 41 minutes before departure. Checking your flight status beforehand can also help you adjust your plans accordingly.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

If you’re flying through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, aim to arrive at least 2 hours and 39 minutes before your flight. As the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest, expect security wait times of at least 25 minutes on average. Customs and Border Protection clearance typically takes 60 minutes or more, especially during peak arrival times. Plan accordingly, as security checkpoints and traffic can be busy, especially before 9 a.m., from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO) at least 2 hours and 36 minutes before your flight. MCO is Florida’s busiest airport, handling over 40 million passengers annually. It’s a major hub for travelers heading to Orlando’s famous theme parks, such as Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando. The airport is ranked as the 11th busiest in the U.S. and the 39th busiest globally, so expect crowds and plan accordingly.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Passengers should arrive at least 2 hours and 33 minutes before their Boston Logan International Airport flight. Despite its smaller size, BOS is among the busiest airports in the U.S., serving Massachusetts and the New England region. Wait times are typically 15 minutes, but expect longer queues during peak hours, especially on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Ensure you arrive at least 2 hours and 31 minutes before your flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. ATL is the busiest airport in the U.S. and also in the world. Serving as a major hub for Delta Air Lines, the airport sees a staggering number of passengers yearly. It’s a key travel hub with 152 domestic and 40 international gates. In 2023, passenger levels soared by 11.6% to nearly 104.7 million.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

If you’re through Denver International Airport (DEN), it’s best’s get there at least 2 hours and 30 minutes before your flight. Being centrally located, Denver’s has always been busy. 2022 the airport added 39 new gates, boosting its capacity by 30%. With 148 gates, it’s equated to handle the 77 million travelers who passed through in 2023. Security screening takes under 30 minutes or 10 minutes with TSA PreCheck.

Countries Americans Should Be Cautious About Visiting

Embarking on international adventures can be thrilling, but for Americans planning their travels, it’s crucial to exercise caution and be aware of potential risks in these 15 countries, where extra vigilance is advised. Countries Americans Should Be Cautious About Visiting.

Countries That Pay You to Call Them Home

Governments across the globe are introducing alluring programs and incentives to entice individuals from abroad. Ranging from Golden Visa initiatives to startup grants and remote work visas, these efforts foster investment, innovation, and the expansion of populations. Countries That PAY YOU to Call Them Home.

Jobs That Allow You To Travel With Family

The freedom to work and travel at the same time is becoming increasingly popular among families who want to break away from the conventional 9-to-5 work culture. Thanks to modern technology, more and more people are taking advantage of the opportunity to work remotely, making it easier to pursue their passions and explore new horizons. Jobs That Allow You To Travel With Family.