TSA Marks Busiest Day Ever During Thanksgiving Weekend

03.12.2024 - 07:07 / travelandleisure.com

More than 3 million travelers passed through airports across the United States on Sunday, marking the busiest day on record. 

In total, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 3.087 million travelers on Dec. 1, the most ever in a single day, according to the agency. The record-setting number capped off an equally record-setting Thanksgiving travel period for airports across the country. 

“Yesterday, December 1st was the busiest day ever for TSA — our officers screened 3.087M individuals at airports nationwide,” the TSA wrote in a post on Monday. “If you're still traveling home from the Thanksgiving holiday, please arrive at the airport early.”

The previous single-day record was set on July 7, when the TSA screened 3.014 million travelers, followed by June 23, when the agency saw 2.996 million travelers across U.S. airports. Each of the top 10 busiest TSA travel days have occurred in 2024.

Overall this Thanksgiving, more than 15.2 million travelers passed through airport security checkpoints across the country from Tuesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 1, according to the TSA.

Of course, the holiday travel season is far from over and millions of travelers are expected to hit the skies for the upcoming December holidays — including many with gifts in tow.

Wrapped presents aren’t necessarily prohibited, but the TSA generally recommends travelers fly with their gifts unwrapped to avoid messing them up if an officer needs to inspect them. And while certain foods are always allowed in carry-on bags (including baked goods like festive fruit cakes, cookies, or pies), large liquids — like Champagne, for example — are not.

The agency also recommends travelers empty their bags out completely before packing them to ensure prohibited items aren't accidentally left inside. And travelers can check the TSA’s website if they are unsure of what they can and can’t bring with them.