The Sunday After Thanksgiving Was the Busiest Travel Day Ever in the US
Following a record-breaking summer of high airport traffic during the Thanksgiving travel season, Sunday, Nov. 25, marks the busiest travel day ever in Transportation Security Administration history.
According to data collected by the TSA, from Friday, Nov. 16, through Monday, Nov. 26, approximately 25,652,287 passengers and crew were screened at airport checkpoints throughout the US. On Sunday alone, 2.7 million travelers passed through security -- the most since 2004 and a 6% increase from last years numbers.
Here is a table of the TSA’s top 10 list of busiest days of travelers screened:
“It was all hands on deck during the Thanksgiving holiday week," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a press release. "Close coordination with airline and airport partners, new technology, enhanced screening and more travelers enrolled in TSA Precheck, TSA used every tool to secure air travel for the millions of passengers traveling to their holiday destinations. I thank our entire TSA team and industry partners for their work and attention to detail during a very hectic time, ensuring safe and secure travel for all passengers.”
However, despite breaking the record, the TSA also reported that airports were operating fast and efficiently. About 95% of passengers waited less than 20 minutes to get through security, and 99% of passengers with TSA PreCheck waited less than 10 minutes.
On a typical day, the TSA screens approximately 2.1 million passengers and crew. To avoid the hassle and crowding, expedited airport security programs such as CLEAR and TSA PreCheck are proven timesavers. Both programs offer shorter lines, less invasive security measures and can be purchased for a decent price if you play your cards right.
