Which Airports Will Be the Best and Worst for International Travel This Holiday Season?

Customs and Immigration Control officer stamping a passport. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/FTiare)

Some airports will provide a faster and smoother customs experience than others for international travelers this busy holiday season.

The team at Upgraded Points recently analyzed U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Airport Wait Times dataset, looking at average and maximum wait times at all major U.S. international airports during the peak of the 2022 winter holiday season to determine which are likely to see the shortest and longest wait times for travelers venturing abroad.

The study examined overall average wait times, differentiated between U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, and identified the proportions of travelers clearing customs in under 15 minutes, or exceeding 60 minutes.

Southern California's John Wayne Airport fares the best, with an average wait time of just 4.6 minutes. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (5.9 minutes), Palm Beach International Airport (6.6 minutes) and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (9.2 minutes) also checked in with average wait times of under 10 minutes.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport rounds out the top five with an average wait time of 10.9 minutes.

Average customs wait times at top US airports. (Photo Credit: Upgraded Points)

In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is where travelers are likely to experience the longest wait times as travelers waited 31.6 minutes on average a year ago. That breaks down to 27.3 minutes for U.S. citizens and 37.1 minutes for non-U.S. citizens.

Other airports where travelers are likely to hit snags at customs include 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).

Average customs wait times based on arrival time. (Photo Credit: Upgraded Points)

"Our latest report details the discrepancies between anticipated and actual wait times at customs," Upgraded Points founder Alex Miller said in a statement.

"While some airports provide swift passages, others are akin to time traps. And since being stuck in a customs jam can sour even the sweetest vacation, we're hoping this latest study will help empower travelers with the knowledge they need to avoid the snags."

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