The TSA screened more than 2 million flyers for the first time since March 2020
More than 2 million passengers passed through airport security checkpoints on Friday, marking a new milestone as the U.S. travel industry continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it screened 2,028,961 travelers, the highest number since Sunday, March 8, when 2,119,867 passed through checkpoints at U.S. airports.
"The growing number of travelers demonstrates this country's resilience and the high level of confidence in COVID-19 countermeasures, to include ready access to vaccines," Darby LaJoye, the acting head of the TSA, said in a statement.
The milestone was largely expected to come at either end of the typically busy Memorial Day weekend travel period, the first major holiday weekend since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance saying that vaccinated Americans could safely remove masks and socialize in indoor and outdoor settings (although masks are still required when taking public transportation, including commercial flights). The CDC had previously said that vaccinated Americans could travel domestically "at low risk" to themselves.
However, passenger numbers fell just shy of the 2 million mark, with the TSA reporting 1.96 million travelers on March 28, the Friday of the holiday weekend, and 1.9 million that Monday.
Domestic travel demand has largely recovered to 2019 levels, driven heavily by quarantine-weary vacationers and travelers visiting friends and relatives.
More: Busy summer? TSA says it needs 6,000 new officers to meet skyrocketing travel demand
Although business travel and long-haul international remain depressed, airline executives have said that there are signs of business travel beginning to resume, and several European countries have reopened to vaccinated travelers, including Italy and Spain, leading to a surge in bookings.
It is not clear whether the daily number of travelers can stay above 2 million without business and international travel. For comparison, 2019 saw normal volumes of 2.1 million through nearly 2.7 million on an average day. Friday's passenger numbers were 26% below the same day in 2019.
However, the milestone suggests that the travel resurgence is, in fact, underway, and a busy summer travel season lies ahead.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees