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Which U.S. Airports Experience the Most Security-Related Flight Delays and What It Means for Travelers

Which U.S. Airports Experience the Most Security-Related Flight Delays and What It Means for Travelers

James Miller, LocalsRide.com
by 
James Miller, LocalsRide.com
4 minutes read
News
October 27, 2025

Highlighting Airports with Frequent Security-Related Flight Delays

Flight delays due to security checks are an occasional but notable challenge at major U.S. airports. Understanding where these delays are most common helps travelers better prepare their schedules and transportation plans, including airport taxi and transfer services.

Nationwide Security Delay Overview

Based on comprehensive analysis from July 2024 to June 2025, security-related flight delays occur at roughly 2 incidents per 1,000 flights across the United States. While these delays aren’t daily occurrences for most airports, when they do happen, they can last anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. Certain airports, however, stand out with higher rates of security delays leading to longer waits for passengers.

Top U.S. Airports by Security-Related Delay Incidents

Airport Incidents per 1,000 Flights Average Delay Duration (minutes)
Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) 7.0 34.3
Orlando International (MCO) 6.3 45.1
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) 5.5 31.9
Oakland International (OAK) 4.7 44.6
Kahului (OGG) 4.7 32.2
Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) 3.8 41.1
Dallas Love Field (DAL) 3.4 51.3
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) 3.3 47.9
William P. Hobby (HOU) 3.1 49.5
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) 3.0 57.8

What Drives These Delays?

The reasons behind heightened security delays at these airports include:

  • High passenger volume: Airports bustling with both domestic and international traffic often face longer security queues.
  • Restricted terminal space: Smaller terminals can lead to bottlenecks during peak hours.
  • Enhanced international screening: Locations with intensified customs and security protocols for international travelers, such as Honolulu and Kahului, tend to face bigger challenges.

Especially in leisure-heavy airports, surges during holiday seasons can overwhelm security checkpoints. Meanwhile, airports like Dallas Love Field and Baltimore, already notorious for general congestion, experience compounded delays when security bottle-necks appear.

Planning Ahead to Beat Security-Related Delays

For passengers traveling through these busier hubs, it’s wise to factor in potential security hold-ups. This foresight can impact travel plans all the way through ground transport—think of the time required to get a cab or pre-book a private transfer to avoid missing flights.

Tips to Minimize Impact

  • Check real-time security wait times through airport apps or official websites.
  • Allow extra buffer time for transfers, especially if connecting to taxis or rideshares.
  • Consider pre-booking rides with platforms like LocalsRide.com, which let travelers select specific vehicles, view detailed car info, and choose trusted drivers, helping avoid last-minute scrambling.

Why Choosing the Right Transfer Service Matters

After clearing security, reaching your final destination smoothly is just as important. With the unpredictability of airport delays, having a reliable and transparent transfer service at your fingertips can make all the difference.

LocalsRide.com offers travelers a chance to book exact car types—whether a private sedan, limo, or larger group vehicle—with full knowledge of the make, model, seat count, and driver ratings ahead of time. This level of detail helps passengers plan according to how much delay they might face, ensuring timely and stress-free connections to city centers, hotels, or airports.

Summary Highlights

Security-related delays, though relatively rare overall, have a disproportionate effect on certain U.S. airports known for heavy international and leisure traffic, limited space, or existing congestion. These delays average between 30 and nearly 60 minutes and can disrupt tight travel schedules.

Planning ahead by keeping tabs on security wait times and using transparent, reliable taxi or transfer services like LocalsRide.com can ease the travel experience considerably. This proactive approach helps in managing time, avoiding last-minute fare hikes, and selecting from a wide range of affordable vehicle options.

Despite the insights this data offers, nothing beats firsthand experience in gauging how these delays might affect your trip. On LocalsRide, you can hire verified vehicles with trusted drivers at reasonable fares, empowering you to make decisions that suit your needs without sacrifices. The platform’s clear vehicle information and ratings further add peace of mind to booking transfers and taxis anywhere in the world. Book your ride now at LocalsRide.com.

Looking at the bigger picture, while security-related delays pose challenges mainly on a regional level, their ripple effects influence wider travel planning, from airport arrival times to ground transfers. Though these delays may not drastically reshape the global tourism map, staying informed is vital. LocalsRide remains committed to keeping pace with such shifts, helping travelers navigate the changing landscape smoothly. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with LocalsRide.

In essence, knowing which airports are more prone to security hold-ups allows travelers to better organize their schedules and ground transport. Preventing last-minute surprises by opting for transparent, customizable taxi and transfer services ensures journeys remain on track, from the moment of arrival to the final destination.