Airport security lines can be a major source of travel anxiety, even for frequent fliers. Certain airports are notorious for amplifying this stress — resulting in higher numbers of complaints filed with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — while others provide a more efficient, streamlined experience.
Newark Liberty International Airport tops the list with the most TSA complaints of any U.S. airport, reporting 6.83 complaints per 100,000 passengers, according to a new study from Upgraded Points, a travel website analyzing credit cards and rewards. This figure is nearly double the national average of 3.92 complaints per 100,000 passengers.
The other airports rounding out the top five with the most complaints include:
- Palm Beach International Airport: 5.78 complaints per 100,000 passengers
- Orlando International Airport: 5.6 complaints per 100,000 passengers
- Southwest Florida International Airport: 5.5 complaints per 100,000 passengers
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: 5.38 complaints per 100,000 passengers
On the other hand, Charlotte Douglas International Airport recorded the fewest number of TSA complaints, with only 1.97 per 100,000 passengers. Other airports with lower complaint rates included Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (2.63), Salt Lake City International Airport (2.74), Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (2.75), Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (2.8), and Chicago-Midway International Airport (2.8).
To determine the rankings, the study examined data from the TSA Complaint Center from 2015 to 2023, adjusting the figures based on passenger volume to ensure fair comparisons among airports of different sizes.
These complaints addressed issues relating to TSA PreCheck, mishandling of passenger property, customer service, screening, and special handling, in that order. Interestingly, the study also revealed that TSA complaints tended to spike during certain months, with December, October, and November recording the highest number of daily complaints, which then tapered off significantly in January and February.
“Being informed about potential pain points can make a big difference in planning a smoother trip,” Upgraded Points wrote in the study. “Understanding these trends can help you better prepare for your trips and make informed choices about where and when to travel.”
These findings come as the TSA announced last week that its PreCheck program has reached a record high of over 20 million members, the largest number since its launch in 2013. TSA PreCheck offers travelers the convenience of keeping their shoes, belts, and light jackets on, as well as leaving laptops and liquids in their bags during security checks. However, according to the complaints highlighted in the study, this added convenience doesn’t entirely eliminate the stress associated with navigating airport security.