Oof: Record Number of People Flying for Thanksgiving

TSA expects more than 26.8 million travelers over the holiday, up 4% from last year
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 14, 2019 10:20 AM CST
Oof: Record Number of People Flying for Thanksgiving
Travelers wait in long lines to pass through a security checkpoint in Denver International Airport on Nov. 21, 2018, the day before Thanksgiving, in Denver.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Flying somewhere for Thanksgiving? Good luck. The Transportation Security Administration says more than 26.8 million people are expected to make their way through airport security checkpoints between Nov. 22 and Dec. 2—a record high, per the Hill, and a 4% increase over 2018, per ABC. The busiest days are expected to be the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, Nov. 27, with 2.7 million fliers) and the last day of Thanksgiving weekend (Sunday, Dec. 1, with 2.8 million travelers). A typical weekday sees TSA screening 2.1 million fliers.

"We expect record-breaking travel volume this 2019 holiday season, following our busiest summer ever," TSA acting Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell says in a statement. "To plan for the season, partnerships with industry and stakeholders are critical to keep travelers moving safely and securely to holiday destinations. We want to ensure travelers are as best prepared as they can be." As part of that preparation, the organization recommends fliers get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. But TSA is doing its own part, using new tech such as computed tomography art scanners so more passengers will be able to leave more items in their bags, as well as credential-authentication technology so fliers can be identified more quickly by TSA officers. (More Thanksgiving travel stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X