The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for a busy Thanksgiving as it projects to screen 18.3 million travelers over the holiday.
Here’s everything to know about what to expect at the airport and tips for flying with ease.
How busy will the airports be for Thanksgiving?
TSA is tracking Tuesday, Nov. 26, through Monday, Dec. 2, as the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.
The agency expects the three busiest travel days to be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Here’s how many travelers TSA expects to screen on each of those days:
- Tuesday, Nov. 26: 2.8 million
- Wednesday, Nov. 27: 2.9 million
- Sunday, Dec. 1: 3 million
The travel numbers expected for the holiday period this year are about 6% higher than the same time in 2023.
Throughout 2024, TSA screened more than 2.9 million travelers on multiple days, but the record for most travelers in TSA history was set on Sunday, July 7, when TSA screened more than 3 million travelers.
“As we approach Thanksgiving, TSA is ready to accommodate record passenger volumes,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “The 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history have all occurred in 2024, and we anticipate that trend to continue. Working alongside our airport and airline partners and the FAA, we have optimized staffing and will do our best to maintain our wait time standards: less than 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck lanes and less than 30 minutes for standard screening lanes. I am extremely grateful for our dedicated employees across the agency who continue to remain vigilant and focused on the mission to ensure security of our transportation systems and keep the traveling public safe.”
Tips for flying over Thanksgiving
TSA is offering the following tips to ensure people experience smooth holiday traveling over Thanksgiving.
- Start with an empty bag. Doing this means travelers will be less likely to accidentally bring a prohibited item.
- Remember all liquids must be 3.4 ounces or less when they are packed in a carry-on bag.
- Foods, like gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves, must be packed in a checked bag if they are over 3.4 ounces since they are considered liquids and gels.
- Solid foods, like cake and baked goods, can be brought through TSA.
- Arrive to the airport early.
- Bring an acceptable ID.
- Know that TSA PreCheck offers travelers a faster screening, with wait times being about 10 minutes or less. Travelers who enroll in PreCheck, don’t have to remove shoes, belts, liquids, aerosols and gels, laptops, food items and light jackets when they go through screening.
- Know the requirements for traveling with a firearm. They must be in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked luggage, and the firearm must be declared when checking in at the airport.
Michigan residents to set Thanksgiving travel records
Nearly 2.6 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. This is 65,000 more travelers than last year.
Record numbers are also forecast across the U.S., with 79.9 million people expected to travel for Thanksgiving. These numbers include different means of travel, and not just flying.
