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Landing at an airport after an international flight can be a drawn-out experience, but some airports are worse than others when it comes to lengthy customs wait times.
In analyzing wait times for some of the busiest airports in the country, Travel + Leisure found average Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maximum wait times that often stretched beyond 30 minutes and even extended to over two hours in rare instances. For this report, T+L examined data from the CBP’s Airport Wait Times site over a 28-day period between Feb. 22 and March 22.
As the second-busiest airport in the United States, according to aviation analytics company OAG, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) had an average maximum wait time of 37 minutes for US citizens and 41 minutes for non-U.S. citizens. On March 17, that even stretched to a whopping 185 minutes at one point.
The busiest airport in the country, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), had lower average maximum wait times of just over 20 minutes for both US citizens and non-U.S. citizens.
Average maximum CBP wait times at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) regularly reached beyond an hour for both US and non-U.S. citizens. At the same time, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)—the third busiest airport in the US—had average maximum wait times of about 40 minutes or less, and more than one day in which the maximum wait time exceeded two hours.
On the West Coast, average maximum wait times at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reached up to 51 minutes and regularly exceeded an hour. Fellow California airport San Francisco International Airport (SFO) had slightly lower CBP average maximum wait times of 43 minutes or less.
CBP monitors wait times at the busiest international airports around the country, but noted: “flight arrival patterns can vary considerably by time of year and day of week, as well as by time of day.”
To help get through customers faster, travelers have several time-saving tools at their disposal. Signing up for the trusted traveler program Global Entry can mean shorter lines thanks to an expedited kiosk process. The program costs $120 to apply and, if approved, is valid for five years.
Another option is the Mobile Passport Control app, a free program available at most major U.S. airports that passengers can fill out up to four hours before landing. With that, groups up to 12 can be processed together.”
Lately, I’ve found myself in a bit of an internal tug-of-war when it comes to writing about travel. On one hand, I’ve always enjoyed sharing our personal experiences, the unexpected moments, and the small details that make this nomadic life so rich. On the other hand, there are times when important developments arise, and it feels almost irresponsible not to pass along accurate, timely information. Sitting for hours to research and rephrase what has already been thoroughly reported doesn’t feel like the best use of time, especially when reputable sources have already done the heavy lifting.
In this case, the ongoing issues with airport security across the United States fall squarely into that category. The numbers alone are staggering. In 2025, there were approximately 68 million foreign visitors to the US, reflecting a 6 percent decline from the previous year. When you add the countless domestic travelers moving through airports every single day, it becomes clear just how many people are affected. These aren’t small inconveniences impacting a handful of travelers. This is something that touches millions, shaping travel plans, adding stress, and in some cases, discouraging people from flying altogether.
For us, and for those of you who follow along with our travels, it feels important to acknowledge what’s happening. While we often lean toward sharing the lighter side of this lifestyle, the laughter, the meals, the serendipitous encounters, there are moments when practicality needs to take center stage. If even one reader benefits from being better prepared, then it’s worth shifting the tone.
And speaking of shifting gears, there’s a welcome bit of excitement in our world today. Our friend Salli, whom we met on our last cruise, ending in December, is currently on the road, making the nearly four-hour drive from Hobart to Penguin. We’ve been watching the clock, imagining her winding along those familiar Tasmanian roads, and by early afternoon, around 1:00 pm, she should be pulling into the driveway. It’s the start of what we know will be a weekend filled with stories, laughter, and the kind of easy companionship that reminds us exactly why we love this life.
Tonight, the three of us are off to happy hour and dinner at our favorite local restaurant, Neptune Grand Hotel Bistro and Bar. We’ll be back tomorrow with photos and updates.
Be well.
