Footage from Friday morning showed long lines as Transportation Security Administration agents missed a paycheck during the Homeland Security shutdown. (Credit: KXAN)
Spring break travelers heading to airports during the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown should brace for possible delays. Experts warn that security lines at some airports have been stretching for hours.
Passengers across the country are reporting longer Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times, flight delays and crowded terminals, and security lines at some airports exceed three hours, according to Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at travel company AirHelp.
Security lines at the airport in Austin, Texas, were closed early Friday as passengers waited for hours to board.
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Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston on March 9. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Global Entry processing, which was previously paused during the shutdown, resumed last Wednesday, a move Napoli said could help ease congestion by moving some travelers out of standard security lines.
Napoli advises travelers to plan ahead to avoid disruptions, such as arriving earlier than usual and booking early morning flights, as they are less likely to experience successive delays throughout the day.
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Travelers and staff walk at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, March 13. (Annabelle Gordon/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Passengers should also pack essential items in carry-on luggage in case of baggage delays or overnight disruptions.
Napoli urged travelers to understand their rights if flights are canceled or significantly delayed.
“If the airline informs that passenger that their flight has been canceled or that there is a new schedule that will significantly delay the flight, the passenger has the right to reject the new schedule, decide not to take the flight and receive a full cash refund,” Napoli said.
For baggage issues on domestic flights, federal regulations require airlines to reimburse reasonable costs up to $3,800 per passenger, he added.
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People wait in long TSA lines as the partial government shutdown continues for several weeks at airports such as Chicago O’Hare in Chicago, March 9, 2026. (Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Travel insurance and certain credit cards may also provide cover for delays, missed connections or lost luggage.
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“The best-prepared passenger is one who is well informed about their rights in different flight scenarios and when to pursue compensation,” Napoli said.
