NEW YORK - Travelers heading to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, face significant uncertainty at security checkpoints as a partial federal government shutdown continues to strain Transportation Security Administration staffing, leading to long and unpredictable lines.

JFK Airport has temporarily suspended its official real-time TSA wait time reporting due to the funding lapse, warning passengers that security lines "may be significantly longer than normal" and urging them to allow extra time. Third-party trackers and traveler reports indicate average waits of 15 to 35 minutes in many cases, with peaks reaching 60 to 90 minutes or more during busy periods — and isolated reports of up to three hours over the weekend.

Air travellers wearing a protective face masks, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at JFK International airport in New York

The ongoing DHS funding crisis has prompted higher than usual call-outs among TSA officers, who are working without guaranteed paychecks. At JFK, one of the nation's busiest international gateways handling more than 60 million passengers annually, the impact has been noticeable across its six terminals.

As of late Monday and early Tuesday, third-party monitoring sites reported general security lines averaging around 18 to 25 minutes during non-peak hours, while TSA PreCheck lanes moved faster in the 5- to 15-minute range when open. However, passenger anecdotes shared on social media and forums described far longer delays, particularly in Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, popular hubs for international and JetBlue flights.

One traveler arriving for a morning flight in Terminal 5 reported waiting nearly 75 minutes on Sunday, calling the experience a "complete disaster" with poor line management. Others noted lines snaking through terminals and even spilling toward check-in areas during peak morning rushes between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Airport officials issued a clear advisory on the JFK website and social media: "Due to the federal funding lapse, security wait times may be significantly longer than normal. Wait times are subject to rapid change based on passenger volumes and TSA staffing. For these reasons, wait time reporting has been temporarily suspended. Please allow for significantly more time and check with your airline for the current status of your flight."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK, has not restored live estimates as of Tuesday evening. In normal conditions, JFK security waits average 15 to 30 minutes, with peaks of 30 to 45 minutes during rush hours. This week, those figures have proven unreliable.

Spring break travel combined with the shutdown has exacerbated the situation. Similar disruptions have hit other major hubs, including LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, Atlanta and Houston, where some passengers faced waits exceeding four hours.

President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that ICE agents would be deployed to assist at airports nationwide to help alleviate staffing shortages. While the move aims to support operations, its immediate effect on TSA screening lines at JFK remains unclear, with mixed reports on whether additional personnel have eased bottlenecks.

Travelers with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR memberships generally report shorter waits, often under 15 minutes even on challenging days. However, even PreCheck lines stretched to 45-90 minutes at times over the weekend at New York-area airports.

Experts recommend arriving at JFK at least three to four hours before international flights and two to three hours for domestic departures during this period. Those without trusted traveler status should plan even more buffer time.

"Conditions can change quickly based on passenger volumes, TSA shift changes and staff availability," said a Port Authority spokesperson. "We appreciate travelers' patience as we navigate this federal situation."

JFK's terminals vary in typical crowd levels. Terminal 4, home to Delta, Emirates and many international carriers, often sees the longest lines due to higher passenger volumes and additional international screening requirements. Terminal 5 (JetBlue) and Terminal 8 (American Airlines) have also reported heavier delays.

Some checkpoints have operated with reduced lanes, leading to sudden surges when passenger waves hit. Reddit users and X posts from recent days described scenarios where lines moved smoothly one hour only to back up dramatically the next.

Airlines have encouraged passengers to check flight status and consider alternative transportation options where possible. Several carriers have adjusted policies to allow more flexible rebooking amid the uncertainty.

The shutdown's impact extends beyond security. Some travelers reported longer check-in lines and baggage processing delays as airline staff manage overflow from security backups.

TSA has not released official nationwide figures for March 24, but the agency's MyTSA app may provide limited traveler-reported data. Independent trackers pulling from airport feeds show fluctuating estimates, with some terminals listing waits as low as 10 minutes during overnight lulls and climbing above 30 minutes by mid-morning.

For those flying today, practical tips include:

- Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if eligible for faster processing.
- Pack liquids and electronics in easily accessible bags to speed screening.
- Monitor airline apps for gate information and any delays.
- Use the AirTrain or public transit to reach the airport and avoid roadway congestion.
- Check terminal-specific social media or third-party apps for crowd updates.

The situation remains fluid. Port Authority officials have not provided a timeline for when official wait time displays will resume.

JFK continues to operate normally for takeoffs and landings, with air traffic control unaffected by the TSA staffing issues. However, missed connections and stress from long security lines have disrupted travel plans for many.

The funding impasse in Washington has drawn criticism from both travelers and aviation industry groups, who warn that prolonged uncertainty could harm the U.S. travel economy during a busy spring season.

As evening approaches on March 24, passenger volumes typically ease, potentially shortening lines after the 7 p.m. rush. Overnight and early morning flights may see lighter security traffic, though unpredictability persists.

Travelers are advised to stay flexible and maintain communication with airlines. Updates will likely continue via the JFK Airport website, X account (@JFKairport) and individual carrier notifications.

For now, the message from New York's premier international gateway is consistent: Plan ahead, build in extra time and prepare for longer-than-usual TSA waits at John F. Kennedy International Airport today and in the coming days until the federal funding situation is resolved.