United Airlines Activates Houston Travel Waiver Amid Record TSA Security Delays
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United Airlines issued a 24-hour flexibility travel waiver for passengers ticketed through George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on March 23 and 24. The waiver permits rebooking without change fees or fare differences for travel through March 31. Security wait times at the airport exceeded 120 minutes and reached as high as 270 minutes at peak periods.
The carrier activated the automated waiver after TSA call-out rates surged during the partial government shutdown now entering its sixth week. Houston Hobby and Bush Intercontinental both recorded some of the highest absence rates among U.S. airports. Passengers reported lines stretching through terminals with some waits lasting four to six hours.
The Department of Homeland Security deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at pre-security areas in Houston and 12 other major hubs including Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, JFK, Newark and Phoenix Sky Harbor. ICE officers in tactical gear handled basic ID checks and crowd management while TSA screeners continued core functions where staffed. No agents performed full screening duties due to clearance restrictions.
Airport officials advised travelers to arrive at least three hours early for domestic flights and four hours for international departures. Some checkpoints operated with reduced lanes, forcing closures at certain terminals. The waiver applies only to Houston-originating or connecting itineraries and does not cover cancellations.
Similar disruptions affected other listed airports with wait times climbing to record levels in Atlanta and New York facilities. The LaGuardia runway collision earlier in the week compounded scheduling pressure across the Northeast. United and other carriers continue to monitor real-time staffing data to extend or adjust waivers as needed.
Travelers holding United tickets through Houston should check the airline app or website for personalized rebooking options. No penalties apply for changes made under the waiver terms. The move provides short-term relief while broader funding negotiations between Congress and the administration remain unresolved.
Passengers planning travel through affected hubs in the coming days should verify current wait-time apps and airline alerts before heading to the airport. Residual delays may persist even after ICE support stabilizes lines at targeted facilities. Further waivers or schedule adjustments could follow if TSA absence rates remain elevated into the weekend.
