--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "MyTSA" developer_entity: "Transportation Security Administration" bundle_id: "com.sapientgs.TSA" app_store_id: "380200364" google_play_id: "gov.dhs.tsa.mytsa" category: "Travel" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2024-12-09" report_date: "2026-05-19" last_verified: "2026-05-19T14:52:04.299Z" report_version: "4.5.0" total_reviews: 36169 overall_rating: 4.55 sentiment: "Upset" sentiment_score: 20 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.85 top_praise_theme: "Accessible interface design allows users to navigate airport information with voiceover support" top_complaint_theme: "Inaccurate wait time estimates based on historical data fail to reflect current airport conditions" top_request_theme: "Crowdsourced real-time reporting mechanism to allow passengers to update wait times on the ground" review_sample_size: 113 total_review_count: 113 analyzed_review_count: 113 data_age_days: 43 momentum_velocity: "maintenance" intelligence_version: 4 nemesis: "Airport security wait time" competitor_count: 8 tags: ["travel", "free", "upset sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "travelers", "navigating", "airport"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/mytsa" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # MyTSA App Audit ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Travel · Free - **Signal**: Rating 4.55 · Sentiment Upset - **Recent focus**: Inaccurate wait time estimates based on historical data fail to reflect current airport conditions (top complaint) · Accessible interface design allows users to navigate airport information with voiceover support (top praise) · Crowdsourced real-time reporting mechanism to allow passengers to update wait times on the ground (top request) > **TL;DR:** MyTSA is a travel app by Transportation Security Administration, rated 4.55/5 by 36.2K users, with Upset user sentiment (20/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** MyTSA faces Upset user sentiment (4.55/5 from 36.2K reviews), with inaccurate wait time estimates based on historical data fail to reflect current airport conditions as the primary user concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.55/5 (36.2K reviews) | | **User Mood** | Upset | | **Category** | Travel | | **Developer** | Transportation Security Administration | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.85/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Transportation Security Administration - **Category:** Travel - **Target Audience:** Air travelers navigating U.S. airport security checkpoints who require real-time status updates and regulatory guidance. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Audited:** 4.5.0 - **Audit Date:** 2026-05-19 - **Signal Count:** 113 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.85/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 380200364 - **Bundle ID:** com.sapientgs.TSA - **Google Play ID:** gov.dhs.tsa.mytsa - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-19 - **Short Description:** MyTSA gives you 24/7 access to info that passengers frequently request from TSA. ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** MyTSA is a government-provided travel utility for U.S. airport security information, available on iOS and Android. **Why users hire it:** Travelers hire the app to minimize security checkpoint friction, but the current reliance on historical data forces them to seek more accurate, crowdsourced alternatives. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Security Checkpoint Wait Times:** Crowd-sourced wait time reporting and viewing for specific airport checkpoints * *User Intent:* Users prioritize data protection and trust in the platform. - **[Standard] What Can I Bring Search:** Database search for prohibited and permitted items in carry-on or checked luggage * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features. ## Market Position {#market-position} MyTSA maintains a presence in the Travel category, but its reliance on historical data limits its utility compared to specialized trackers. The gap between official status and real-world conditions prevents the app from becoming the primary daily utility for frequent flyers. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Fully free, no in-app purchases or subscriptions - **Analysis:** Government-provided utility with no monetization model, focused on public service and operational efficiency. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 113 of 113 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.55/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.6/5 (31.7K ratings) | Android 3.9/5 (4.5K ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Upset - **Note:** The 4.55/5 store rating reflects cumulative history, while the Upset sentiment reflects recent user reviews analyzed by our AI pipeline. ### Top Praises - **Accessible interface design allows users to navigate airport information with voiceover support** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Inaccurate wait time estimates based on historical data fail to reflect current airport conditions** ### Top Requests (What Users Want) - **Crowdsourced real-time reporting mechanism to allow passengers to update wait times on the ground** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Official government authority establishes high baseline trust for regulatory compliance - Comprehensive 'Can I Bring' database reduces physical checkpoint friction **Critical Frictions:** - Historical wait-time data leads to high-frequency user frustration - Lack of terminal-specific granularity prevents effective planning at major hubs **Growth Levers:** - Integrating crowdsourced real-time reporting would align the app with user-generated data trends - Adding digital ID lane status would address current passenger requests **Market Threats:** - Specialized trackers with crowdsourced data models siphon daily active users - Airline-specific apps provide superior, context-aware utility for post-checkpoint travel ## Recent Changes (v3 → v4) {#recent-changes} The app has experienced a severe decline in user engagement and sentiment, forcing a pivot in competitive strategy toward crowdsourced data integration to remain relevant. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-05-19 ### High-impact changes - **[Declined] Sentiment and Engagement Collapse** (sentiment) — Overall sentiment shifted from 'negative' to 'terrible' (score 24 → 20) alongside a massive reduction in review volume (36,165 → 113). - **[Shifted] Strategic Pivot to Crowdsourcing** (positioning) — The PM action plan shifted from general audit to a specific requirement for crowdsourced real-time wait reporting to address the primary complaint theme. ### Medium-impact changes - **[Removed] Feature Set Reduction** (features) — Historical Busy Times was removed from the key features list, leaving only two core functions. - **[Shifted] Competitive Threat Refinement** (swot) — Threats shifted from generic third-party app concerns to specific risks regarding specialized trackers siphoning daily active users. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### MyTSA vs Airport security wait time — Head to Head - **[Airport security wait time](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/airportwaittimes)** by Better Optima LLC: This app directly targets the core utility of MyTSA by focusing exclusively on real-time security checkpoint wait times at scale. - **Moat strength:** Medium — durable but contestable - **Key differences:** - Crowdsourced wait time reporting provides hyper-local data that official government apps often lag in updating - Focuses exclusively on the single most critical passenger pain point rather than general travel information - Aggregates data across a massive user base to provide real-time status updates for hundreds of airports - **Where MyTSA wins:** - ✅ Provides authoritative, official TSA-verified information that passengers trust for compliance and regulatory guidance - ✅ Includes comprehensive 'Can I Bring' search tools that go beyond simple wait time reporting - **Where Airport security wait time wins:** - ❌ Leverages community-driven data to provide near-instantaneous updates that official channels cannot match in speed - ❌ UX is optimized for rapid, single-purpose access during the high-stress moments of arriving at an airport - **Verdict:** MyTSA must integrate more dynamic, user-contributed data points to compete with the speed of crowdsourced alternatives. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[FlightAware Flight Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-flightaware-iphone-live-flight-tracker)** by FlightAware [Moat: High]: Offers superior flight tracking and operational data that complements the passenger's journey beyond the checkpoint. - Provides global flight tracking with real-time map visualizations that MyTSA lacks entirely - Integrates comprehensive airport delay statistics and weather impact data for proactive travel planning - **[TripIt: Travel Planner](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-tripit-tripitmobile)** by TripIt [Moat: High]: Dominates the itinerary management space, capturing the user's attention throughout the entire travel lifecycle. - Automated itinerary parsing from email confirmations creates a frictionless 'travel hub' experience for users - Proactive push notifications for gate changes and delays keep users informed without manual app interaction - **[KAYAK: Flights, Hotels & Cars](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-kayak-travel)** by KAYAK [Moat: High]: A comprehensive travel aggregator that serves as a one-stop shop for booking and managing the entire trip. - Aggregates booking, pricing, and travel management into a single ecosystem, increasing user retention - High release velocity allows for rapid deployment of new travel tools and AI-driven search features ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[United Airlines](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-united-unitedcustomerfacingiphone)** by United Airlines: Airline-specific apps provide the most direct competition for post-checkpoint passenger utility. - Offers deep integration with boarding passes, seat maps, and in-flight entertainment controls - Provides real-time baggage tracking and terminal navigation specific to the airline's operations - **[Southwest Airlines: Travel App](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-southwest-iphoneprod)** by Southwest Airlines Co.: A high-utility airline app that captures significant passenger time during the travel process. - Streamlined check-in flow and boarding position management reduces passenger anxiety at the gate - Direct access to flight status and rebooking options provides immediate value during travel disruptions - **[Priority Pass™](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-prioritypass-loungelookupv2)** by Priority Pass Ltd: Focuses on the premium passenger experience, serving as a specialized utility for frequent travelers. - Provides exclusive access to airport lounge networks, a value-add MyTSA does not offer - Digital membership card integration simplifies lounge entry for premium travelers globally ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[Planes Live - Flight Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-apalonapps-planesfree)** by Mosaic S.r.l.: A modern, visually-focused flight tracker that is gaining traction through high-quality map interfaces. ## What's New - **Latest (v3.5, 7 years ago):** Added a Notepad feature and updated the "Can I Bring" tab alongside general UI enhancements. ## App Momentum (Maintenance) {#momentum} - Ships general performance and bug fixes. - Maintains static feature set for years. > **Cadence:** 5 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 525 days since last update · 81 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} MyTSA is a challenged travel app that is completely free. With a 4.55/5 rating from 36.2K reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** MyTSA holds a unique position as the official checkpoint authority, but its reliance on historical data renders it obsolete for real-time planning, so the PM must prioritize crowdsourced data integration to prevent further user migration to specialized trackers. **Best for:** Air travelers navigating U.S. airport security checkpoints who require real-time status updates and regulatory guidance. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] [HIGH IMPACT] Integrate crowdsourced real-time wait reporting because historical data is the #1 complaint theme → increase daily active usage — *Sentiment analysis identifies inaccurate wait times as the primary driver of negative reviews and churn.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause the 'What Can I Bring' database UI refresh — wait-time accuracy has 5x the impact on retention.)_ ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Crowdsourced real-time wait reporting (available in Airport security wait time but absent here) - Terminal-specific checkpoint status (available in United Airlines but absent here) ### Outlook: Declining The travel utility market is shifting toward real-time, community-validated data, leaving MyTSA's historical-average model increasingly exposed. Without a pivot to crowdsourced reporting, the app will continue to lose its role as the primary travel-day hub for passengers. - 🔴 Inaccurate wait time estimates drive negative sentiment, which causes users to abandon the app for crowdsourced alternatives during high-stress travel windows. - ⚪ Recent updates focused on stability, no feature expansion, leaving the app vulnerable to competitors with faster, user-driven data cycles. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.55/5 | | Total Reviews | 36.2K | | Sentiment | Upset (20/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 2 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **MyTSA** (this app) | 4.55/5 | Upset | Transportation Security Administration | | [Priority Pass™](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-prioritypass-loungelookupv2) | 4.8/5 | N/A | Priority Pass Ltd | | [KAYAK: Flights, Hotels & Cars](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-kayak-travel) | 4.8/5 | N/A | KAYAK | | [Southwest Airlines: Travel App](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-southwest-iphoneprod) | 4.8/5 | Frustrated | Southwest Airlines Co. | | [United Airlines](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-united-unitedcustomerfacingiphone) | 4.8/5 | Mixed | United Airlines | | [Airport security wait time](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/airportwaittimes) | 4.5/5 | Frustrated | Better Optima LLC | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Transportation Security Administration - **Website:** [https://www.tsa.gov](https://www.tsa.gov) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tsa) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TSA) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/tsa) · [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/tsa) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/2994) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytsa/id380200364?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.dhs.tsa.mytsa&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.tsa.gov) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Priority Pass™*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-prioritypass-loungelookupv2) (Priority Pass Ltd) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*KAYAK: Flights, Hotels & Cars*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-kayak-travel) (KAYAK) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Southwest Airlines: Travel App*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-southwest-iphoneprod) (Southwest Airlines Co.) — 4.8/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*United Airlines*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-united-unitedcustomerfacingiphone) (United Airlines) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Airport security wait time*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/airportwaittimes) (Better Optima LLC) — 4.5/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*FlightAware Flight Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-flightaware-iphone-live-flight-tracker) (FlightAware) — 4.9/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Planes Live - Flight Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-apalonapps-planesfree) (Mosaic S.r.l.) — 4.6/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*TripIt: Travel Planner*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/com-tripit-tripitmobile) (TripIt) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Learn Japanese to English*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/learn-japanese-to-english) (Shoreline Animation) — 5.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Wait Times for Disney World*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/wait-times-for-disney-world) (VersaEdge Software, LLC) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting. 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.85/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 113 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/travel/mytsa) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.