The Worst CA Airports For International Summer Travel

CALIFORNIA — Travelers, especially those having to go through customs, may face significant lines and delays at California airports this summer.

International travelers passing through Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco's international airports had some of the longest immigration wait times recorded in the nation last summer, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

With summer coming up soon, many Californians are planning their overseas trips just as foreigners plan their own journeys to visit the Golden State.

But as peak vacation time draws near, so does the possibility of getting caught in long travel-delaying lines in California's largest airports.

One enduring challenge for international travelers is the often time-consuming process of clearing U.S. immigration and customs upon arrival. These entry procedures can lead to significant delays, especially during peak travel periods.

For instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported that summer is typically the busiest time for northbound crossings, with family visits, tourism and extended student travel adding to normal traffic flows, LMT Online reported on Friday, June. 6.

“With the summer travel season cranking into full gear, we strongly encourage those needing tourist permits to save time upon arrival to the U.S. by applying for them online, checking border wait times and choosing bridge crossings accordingly,” said Donald R. Kusser, director of field operations for CBP’s Laredo Field Office told the Texas newspaper.

While international travel can come with hiccups, immigration wait times at major U.S. airports during summer 2024 were generally manageable, especially for U.S. citizens. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, more than 42% of all travelers cleared immigration in under 15 minutes, while just 6.3% waited more than an hour, according to CBP data analyzed by Upgraded Points.

That said, non-U.S. citizens routinely face longer delays.

Regardless of arrival time, their wait times far exceed those of citizens. For instance, during peak afternoon hours, average wait times for non-citizens reached 36.0 minutes at 2 p.m., compared to 19.3 minutes for U.S. citizens. Throughout much of the day, non-citizens can expect waits of 30 minutes or more, while U.S. citizens typically wait under 20 minutes.

Based on data collected during the summer of 2024, three California airports recorded the longest immigration wait times: LAX, with an average wait time of 31.8 minutes, San Diego International Airport (SAN), with an average of 25 minutes and SFO, with an average wait time of 25.1 minutes.

The 10 U.S. Airports With The Longest Immigration Wait Times:

1. LAX | Los Angeles, CA - 31.8 minutes
2. ORD | Chicago, IL - 31.7 minutes
3. BNA | Nashville, TN - 31.1 minutes
4. MCO | Orlando, FL - 30.1 minutes
5. MSP | Minneapolis, MN - 28 minutes
6. AUS | Austin, TX - 26 minutes
7. IAH | Houston, TX - 25.3 minutes
8. SFO | San Francisco, CA - 25.1 minutes
9. SAN | San Diego, CA - 25 minutes
10. JFK | New York, NY - 24.9 minutes