TSA expects to screen 44.3 million travelers between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4, a 14% jump from last year’s holiday period, with Dec. 28 projected as busiest day ever.
The Transportation Security Administration is preparing to screen more than 44 million passengers during the upcoming holiday travel period, setting a new record as Americans take to the skies in unprecedented numbers.
The TSA projects 44.3 million passengers will pass through its checkpoints between Friday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 4. The figure represents a significant increase from the nearly 39 million passengers screened during the 2024 holiday period.
Sunday, Dec. 28, is expected to be the busiest travel day in the agency’s history, with a projected 2.86 million passengers. The forecast narrowly surpasses the previous single-day record set Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, when the TSA screened just under 2.85 million passengers.
The six busiest days of the period are expected to be Dec. 28, followed by Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29.
Adam Stahl, TSA senior official performing the duties of the deputy administrator, said the agency is prepared for the surge.
“TSA expects 2025 to be another record setter following major improvements this year to make airport security more seamless and secure,” Stahl said. “We continue to enhance the traveler experience by deploying new technologies and procedures.”
The record passenger volumes follow a year of significant changes to airport security procedures. In May, the TSA began requiring U.S. citizens to present Real IDs for domestic flights. Passengers without a Real ID can pay $45 to use an alternative identity verification system.
The agency has also ended the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes at checkpoints, a change aimed at speeding up screening times. The TSA has added family lanes at select airports and launched a hospitality campaign targeted at families. TSA PreCheck benefits have been expanded for uniformed service members and their families, and the agency now offers a discount for individuals who purchase two memberships.
Despite the operational improvements, the holiday travel surge presents substantial challenges. The TSA must manage staffing levels across checkpoints to prevent lines from backing up and causing passengers to miss flights. Technical issues with TSA software could compound disruptions, particularly at busy airports.
Air traffic control towers across the United States face additional pressure from understaffed facilities. An airport forced to reduce flight capacity due to staffing shortages can trigger delays and cancellations across an airline’s entire network. The Northeast region, which features a high concentration of flights and frequent severe weather, presents particular vulnerabilities during the holiday period.
The surge in holiday travel reflects sustained demand for air transportation following the recovery from pandemic-era disruptions.
Key Takeaways
- The TSA expects to screen 44.3 million passengers between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4, up 14% from last year’s holiday period.
- Sunday, Dec. 28, is projected to be the busiest single day ever with 2.86 million passengers passing through security checkpoints.
- New TSA procedures include elimination of shoe removal requirements and implementation of Real ID verification for domestic flights.
- Understaffed air traffic control towers and potential weather impacts in the Northeast pose risks for delays and cancellations.
- The agency has deployed new technologies and family-focused initiatives to improve the passenger screening experience.
