Holiday Travel Customs: Best and Worst U.S. Airports Revealed
During the bustling holiday season, international travelers can expect varying customs experiences at different airports. Upgraded Points conducted an analysis of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Airport Wait Times dataset, focusing on average and maximum wait times at major U.S. international airports during the peak of the 2022 winter holidays. The study differentiated between U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, examining overall average wait times and identifying the percentages of travelers clearing customs in under 15 minutes or exceeding 60 minutes.
John Wayne Airport in Southern California emerged as the top performer with an impressively low average wait time of 4.6 minutes. Other airports with swift customs processes included Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (5.9 minutes), Palm Beach International Airport (6.6 minutes), and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (9.2 minutes), all boasting average wait times under 10 minutes. Fresno Yosemite International Airport rounded out the top five with an average wait time of 10.9 minutes.
On the flip side, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the Pacific Northwest recorded the longest wait times, averaging 31.6 minutes a year ago. This included 27.3 minutes for U.S. citizens and 37.1 minutes for non-U.S. citizens. Other airports with potentially challenging customs experiences included Miami International Airport (30.6 minutes), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (29.2 minutes), Orlando International Airport (27.8 minutes), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (27.4 minutes).
The study, which details the disparities between anticipated and actual wait times at customs, aims to empower travelers with information to navigate potential delays during the holiday season.
