With airport security line wait times reaching hours long last month, United Airlines has taken a step to help its customers manage their expectations before they even get to the airport.
Earlier this month, the Chicago-based airline launched a new in-app feature that shows its customers estimated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security wait times at United’s U.S. hubs: O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, IL; Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, CO; Houston/George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Houston, TX; Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, CA; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey/the New York City area; San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, CA; and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington, D.C.
Those locations include some of the flight hubs that saw the largest increases in TSA wait times last month, such as Houston’s IAH and Newark’s EWR. While the majority of the estimated TSA wait times United shares are displayed based on collected data available to the airline, those for IAH will be “based on data collected by Houston Airport System.”
The TSA wait times will be in the United app’s “Travel” section, with estimations for standard security and TSA PreCheck screening lanes. The wait times will be updated on a “regular” basis, “giving travelers timely information on TSA lines and helping them plan their travel with confidence.”
What Else Is There To Know About United Airlines’ TSA Wait Times?
United boasts its in-app TSA wait time estimates as “a first-of-its-kind offering from a major U.S. airline.” In a statement, the airline’s Chief Information Officer, Jason Birnbaum, thanked TSA employees who dutifully worked during the shutdown without pay.
“We appreciate the work and professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most began receiving back pay earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues, and people want to stay informed about expected security wait times at our airports,” said Birnbaum. “Our customers rely on our mobile app for all their travel needs, and this new feature lets them know what to expect and better plan their trip.”
United offers several other features to help customers “self-serve” while navigating the airport. In December 2025, the airline rolled out Virtual Gate, which provides real-time updates on which groups are boarding your flight. Another feature, Automatic Rebooking Assistance, “automatically provides travelers with personalized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and, when eligible, meal and hotel vouchers if their flight is delayed or canceled.”
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