The list of reasons why air travel can be stressful has grown as long as the security lines at some U.S. airports.
Back-to-back winter storms. The Iran war. Government shutdowns.
A fatal runway collision between a jet and a fire truck. All have disrupted airline travel in recent months.
Add in the usual hassles like seat selection and baggage fees, overbooked flights and takeoff delays, and even frequent flyers may be thinking twice about booking trips that require boarding a commercial airplane.
Crowded airport checkpoints due to a funding standoff on Capitol Hill, and President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents to help with airport security, were top of mind for many passengers on Tuesday.
At Bush Airport, multiple agents were seen walking through lines, directing passengers quickly and assisting with crowd flow.
And although you may be waiting in long lines, passengers at Bush and Hobby airports are reporting movement.
One thing to note if you’re headed to Bush Airport:
- TSA Precheck will only be available in Terminals A & C
- Standard TSA will only be available in Terminals A & E
Click here for the latest estimated wait times to get through security at Hobby Airport.
For estimated wait times at Bush Intercontinental Airport, click here.
What happens if you miss your flight?
If you miss your flight because of security delays, airlines are not required to give you a refund since screening is handled by TSA, not the airline.
In most cases, passengers may have to pay a change fee or buy a new ticket, depending on the airline and the type of fare purchased. Some airlines may rebook travelers on the next available flight, but that is not guaranteed and often depends on seat availability. Experts say if you think you may miss your flight, contact the airline immediately or speak to a gate agent as soon as possible.
KPRC 2 has reached out to every airline about your rights, and so far, we’ve only heard back from one airline:
Southwest Airlines - Customers who miss their flights due to TSA wait times will be rebooked on the next available flight at no additional cost.
What you should do if you’re flying during the shutdown
- Arrive much earlier than usual (even for domestic flights)
- Check TSA wait times before leaving
- Use airline apps to rebook quickly if needed
- Talk to gate agents immediately if you’re running late
On top of the delays being seen at airports, travel costs are also going up as the busy summer season approaches. Industry experts say rising oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are pushing airfare higher, making travel even more expensive.
Airfare prices remain highly volatile, meaning tickets could drop, but they could also rise quickly. Travel experts recommend booking sooner rather than later if your trip is necessary, since many airlines allow passengers to rebook later and receive credit if prices fall.
Travelers looking to save money may also need to be more flexible with their plans, such as choosing flights with layovers instead of nonstop routes. Experts say even if fuel prices go down, it could take time before lower costs are reflected in airline ticket prices.