A recent study by Finance Buzz looked at America’s 45 busiest airports to determine which airports are least and most forgiving to travelers who are timed crunched. And as a result they determined the best and worst airports if the best and worst airports if you’re running lateyou’re running late.
10 worst airports if you’re running late
| Ranking | Airport | Avg TSA wait time | Avg # of departing passengers/day | CLEAR offered? |
| 1 | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | 33:53 min | 43,626 | Yes |
| 2 | Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) | 31:58 min | 56,794 | No |
| 3 | Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) | 30:37 min | 46,246 | Yes |
| 4 | Orlando International Airport (MCO) | 32:04 min | 54,849 | Yes |
| 5 | Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | 26:41 min | 125,283 | Yes |
| 6 | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | 31:16 min | 57,535 | Yes |
| 7 | Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | 25:28 min | 58,603 | Yes |
| 8 | Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | 24:59 min | 43,590 | Yes |
| 9 | Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) | 24:08 min | 42,653 | Yes |
| 10 | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | 25:08 min | 38,445 | Yes |
10 best airports if you’re running late
| Ranking | Airport | Avg TSA wait time | Avg # of departing passengers/day | CLEAR offered? |
| 1 | Hobby Airport (HOU) | 13:46 min | 17,887 | Yes |
| 2 | Kansas City International Airport (MCI) | 15:43 min | 15,747 | No |
| 3 | Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) | 14:19 min | 16,653 | No |
| 4 | San Antonio International Airport (SAT) | 18:08 min | 12,712 | Yes |
| 5 | Nashville International Airport (BNA) | 14:11 min | 21,065 | No |
| 6 | Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) | 14:56 min | 20,431 | No |
| 7 | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) | 16:23 min | 56,431 | Yes |
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) | 15:55 min | 36,814 | Yes |
| 9 | Indianapolis International Airport (IND) | 15:43 min | 12,551 | No |
| 10 | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | 19:28 min | 20,566 | Yes |
The truth is no matter how savvy a traveler you are, there are times when you’re time crushed, so understanding the best and worst airports if you’re running late might just help you make your flight or not.
