Getting to the airport is often a daunting task. Between the long security lines and the crowds inside the terminal, it’s imperative that you allow enough time to reach the gate.
A 2022 study found that travel professionals upgrade point analyze 15 factors in 50 major US airports To find out where it is most important for passengers to arrive on domestic flights early.
- number of planes
- number of passengers
- airport size
- Average TSA Latency
- number of terminals
- number of gates
- airport employees
- number of airport lounges
- Number of restaurants/bars
- Number of stores
- Number of parking lots and decks
- On-time departure rate
- late departure rate
- car traffic
- Automobile traffic index
The study found that Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are the airports that take passengers the longest to board.
The lowest-ranked airport, where passengers did not need to arrive early, was John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio.
15 US airports where you need to arrive the fastest
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): 3 hours 4 minutes
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 2 hours 59 minutes
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 2 hours 58 minutes
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): 2 hours 55 minutes
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 2 hours 50 minutes
- Miami International Airport (MIA): 2 hours 48 minutes
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 2 hours 45 minutes
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): 2 hours 45 minutes
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): 2 hours 44 minutes
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 2 hours 41 minutes
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 2 hours 39 minutes
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): 2 hours 36 minutes
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): 2 hours 33 minutes
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 2 hours 31 minutes
- Denver International Airport (DEN): 2 hours 30 minutes
A study by Upgraded Points found that passengers departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) need to arrive 3 hours and 4 minutes early for a smooth boarding experience.
In 2021, the airport recorded a whopping 54,020,399 passengers. ORD also has 193 gates, more than any other airport included in the study. Upgraded Points also found the airport to be understaffed, with 3,606 badged airport employees per square mile, which is 9% below the national average.
Two airports were nearly tied for second and third place: LAX and JFK. Based on the ranking, the passenger must arrive at LAX 2 hours and 59 minutes before the scheduled departure time. With more than eight terminals, 146 gates, and an overwhelming amount of traffic outside the airport, it’s no wonder it takes so long to reach your designated boarding area.
JFK was a close third, with passengers expected to arrive 2 hours and 58 minutes before scheduled departure. His average TSA wait time at New York City airports is 16.40 minutes, and airport passenger numbers are reported to exceed his 30 million in 2021.
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