![\"Worst](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Terminal_corridor_at_Los_Angeles_International_Airport_July_2022-1-1.webp\")
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Terminal_corridor_at_Los_Angeles_International_Airport_(July_2022).jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Holiday is Busy, but Not Chaotic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
International travel in 2025 has stabilized into a gentler upward trend. Travelers are still heading overseas, especially between Christmas and New Year\u2019s, but not with the same intensity seen during the early \u201crevenge travel\u201d years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even so, airport staffing and CBP resource planning often lag behind shifting demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This creates an unusual dynamic during December: a busy travel season, but with uneven pressure on immigration lines depending on the airport and time of day. Some terminals manage the crowds smoothly; others face long queues even with lower arrival numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the holiday rush, immigration and customs lines aren\u2019t always as daunting as expected, as the following numbers show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two factors, however, can greatly affect how long you spend in line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Landing between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. typically results in about 26 percent longer waits compared to later in the day or overnight arrivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-U.S. citizens wait significantly longer \u2014 nearly double \u2014 with average waits of 29.8 minutes compared with 15.1 minutes for U.S. passport holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These differences can play a major role in how smoothly your arrival unfolds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBP tracks immigration wait times at 41 major U.S. airports<\/strong>, and the results reveal just how unpredictable the experience can be. Airport size, it turns out, doesn\u2019t always correlate with efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These airports recorded the slowest processing times during the last holiday season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Orlando and Nashville stand out because their wait times remain high regardless of their very different passenger loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several airports processed travelers at impressive speeds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoenix is particularly notable. Despite handling nearly ten times more passengers than Palm Beach and John Wayne combined, it maintains one of the shortest wait times nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you can\u2019t choose your arrival airport, there are reliable ways to reduce the time you spend waiting in immigration lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the fastest way to clear U.S. immigration. The Cost is $120 for five years. Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the fee. Children under 18 pay no fee when applying with a parent or guardian who is also applying or already enrolled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For frequent international travelers, Global Entry is hard to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A free, CBP-approved alternative available at more than 30 airports. Landing after 3 p.m. can reduce wait times significantly. Early-morning arrivals tend to face the longest delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobile Passport, kiosks, and Global Entry lines move quickly. Having passports and confirmation details accessible helps you keep up with the flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across the 41 tracked airports, holiday-season immigration wait times vary dramatically \u2014 from just under four minutes in Palm Beach to over 30 minutes in Orlando. With such a wide range, choosing your arrival airport can make a noticeable difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in a year where travel demand feels more balanced, immigration wait times remain uneven across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Upgraded Points<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The holidays will always bring busy airports, packed flights, and a rush of travelers returning home. But long immigration waits don\u2019t have to be part of the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By selecting efficient airports when possible, adjusting your arrival time, or enrolling in Global Entry or Mobile Passport, you can significantly reduce the time you spend in line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For many travelers, saving even 15 to 20 minutes can make the difference between catching a connection and scrambling through the terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you plan your 2025 holiday travels, look beyond just the departure time and airfare. Your arrival airport might be the key to starting \u2014 or ending \u2014 your trip on a much smoother note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-178-1024x682.png\")
Average Wait Times for Travelers <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Arrival time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Citizenship status<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Worst](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NewMainTerminal_Thumbnail.webp\")
Best and Worst Airports for International Arrivals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Orlando](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Orlando-MCO-TerminalC.webp\")
Airports With the Longest Waits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Airport<\/th> Average Holiday Wait Time<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Orlando (MCO)<\/td> 32.7 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Los Angeles (LAX)<\/a><\/td> Among the slowest processing speeds<\/td><\/tr> Nashville (BNA)<\/td> 27.9 minutes, despite low international traffic<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Palm_Beach_International_Airport_-_Concourse_C_Aerial-1280x720-1.webp\")
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Palm_Beach_International_Airport_-_Concourse_C_Aerial.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAirports With the Fastest Arrivals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Airport<\/th> Average Holiday Wait Time<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Palm Beach (PBI)<\/td> 3.8 minutes<\/td><\/tr> John Wayne (SNA)<\/td> 4.9 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)<\/a><\/td> Around 7 minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"Worst](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Terminal_4_interior_at_Melbourne_Tullamarine_Airport_-_52590183701.webp\")
How to Speed Up Your Arrival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Enroll in Global Entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use the Mobile Passport Control App<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It allows travelers to bypass the main queue and head to a dedicated line.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAvoid peak arrival periods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep your travel documents handy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DFW-1024x682.webp\")
Why Your Airport Choice Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Airport Delay and Performance Data<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/th> Airport Name<\/th> Code<\/th> City, State<\/th> Avg Delay (min)<\/th> % On-Time<\/th> Departure Delay (min)<\/th> Arrival Delay (min)<\/th> Delay Increase YoY<\/th> Cancellation Rate<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> 1<\/td> Orlando International Airport<\/td> MCO<\/td> Orlando, FL<\/td> 32.7<\/td> 66.9%<\/td> 23.1<\/td> 37.4<\/td> 26.1%<\/td> 12.6%<\/td><\/tr> 2<\/td> Los Angeles International Airport<\/td> LAX<\/td> Los Angeles, CA<\/td> 30.3<\/td> 75.5%<\/td> 20.1<\/td> 41.4<\/td> 29.5%<\/td> 11.5%<\/td><\/tr> 3<\/td> Nashville International Airport<\/td> BNA<\/td> Nashville, TN<\/td> 27.9<\/td> 52.1%<\/td> 26.0<\/td> 33.5<\/td> 24.1%<\/td> 4.2%<\/td><\/tr> 4<\/td> Chicago O’Hare International Airport<\/td> ORD<\/td> Chicago, IL<\/td> 27.3<\/td> 68.4%<\/td> 22.7<\/td> 35.2<\/td> 35.6%<\/td> 9.1%<\/td><\/tr> 5<\/td> Austin\u2013Bergstrom International Airport<\/td> AUS<\/td> Austin, TX<\/td> 26.9<\/td> 58.4%<\/td> 23.2<\/td> 34.9<\/td> 33.5%<\/td> 5.4%<\/td><\/tr> 6<\/td> Fort Lauderdale\u2013Hollywood International<\/td> FLL<\/td> Fort Lauderdale, FL<\/td> 26.3<\/td> 67.1%<\/td> 19.4<\/td> 31.7<\/td> 39.5%<\/td> 9.6%<\/td><\/tr> 7<\/td> John F. Kennedy International Airport<\/td> JFK<\/td> New York, NY<\/td> 26.1<\/td> 63.7%<\/td> 14.6<\/td> 35.2<\/td> 39.7%<\/td> 8.5%<\/td><\/tr> 8<\/td> Miami International Airport<\/td> MIA<\/td> Miami, FL<\/td> 23.9<\/td> 67.3%<\/td> 14.3<\/td> 30.1<\/td> 41.2%<\/td> 7.6%<\/td><\/tr> 9<\/td> San Diego International Airport<\/td> SAN<\/td> San Diego, CA<\/td> 23.4<\/td> 43.6%<\/td> 20.9<\/td> 29.3<\/td> 31.0%<\/td> 1.3%<\/td><\/tr> 10<\/td> George Bush Intercontinental Airport<\/td> IAH<\/td> Houston, TX<\/td> 23.0<\/td> 62.1%<\/td> 17.7<\/td> 29.1<\/td> 41.6%<\/td> 5.2%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/D5W9LPyW4AEMwzT-2048x1152-1-1024x576.webp\")
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)<\/a><\/td>](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1080px-Phoenix_Sky_Harbor_International_Airport_American_Airlines_Boarding.jpg\"){kind=link}