Despite lingering shutdown concerns and a polar vortex that is threatening large regions of the country, this Thanksgiving holiday travel period could be the busiest on record. AAA predicts that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday, November 25, and Monday, December 1—an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new high.
Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel across all modes of transportation, according to AAA, and this year is no exception.
Indeed, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that it expects to screen more than 17.8 million people between November 25 and December 2, with more than 3 million expected to pass through the country’s airports on Sunday, November 30.
“We are projecting that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history,” Adam Stahl, a senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator, said in a statement.
The majority of travelers will be hitting the road by car—at least 73 million of them, according to AAA, or 1.3 million more than were on the road last Thanksgiving. This Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon are expected to have the heaviest traffic before Thanksgiving, followed by the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when the majority of travelers will be returning home.
The busiest travel days of the year
While record numbers of travelers will likely be on the road and in the skies this Thanksgiving, it’s not the only time of the year that sees peak air travel volumes. Earlier this year, TSA reported its all-time busiest travel day ever: On June 22, 3,096,797 people passed through TSA security checkpoints, marking one of six total days this year that the number climbed over 3 million—which hadn’t happened until 2024.
As record numbers of travelers head to the airports, it’s worth noting that some of the busiest days of the year tend to be right before or after holidays. And while Thanksgiving and Christmas see some of the biggest travel crowds of the year, other holidays, like Memorial Day and Fourth of July, also see high volumes of air passengers.
In the past year, daily passenger numbers have tended to spike during peak travel periods in spring, summer, and fall.
These have been the 15 busiest travel days in the past 12 months:
- June 22, 2025: 3.097 million passengers
- December 1, 2024: 3.089 million passengers
- July 7, 2025: 3.042 million passengers
- July 20, 2025: 3.040 million passengers
- July 27, 2025: 3.017 million passengers
- May 23, 2025: 3.010 million passengers
- July 13, 2025: 3.005 million passengers
- July 17, 2025: 2.998 million passengers
- August 1, 2025: 2.994 million passengers
- June 27, 2025: 2.989 million passengers
- October 19, 2025: 2.988 million passengers
- June 19, 2025: 2.981 million passengers
- August 3, 2025: 2.981 million passengers
- October 9, 2025: 2.976 million passengers
- August 29, 2025: 2.971 million passengers
Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year
There are a few ways to make travel easier and to clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly this holiday season, as passenger numbers start to rise.
Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry
Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. In 2022, TSA PreCheck reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s $70 to renew. Clear costs $199 per year. International travelers should consider the $120 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States. Some credit cards, including the Capital One Venture X and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, reimburse the costs of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free
No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports give travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service.
Consider traveling with a carry-on only
For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed or who don’t want to wait endlessly at the baggage claim carousel, traveling with a carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services.
Know what you can bring through security
If you’re traveling with a carry-on, refamiliarize yourself with the rules about what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag, as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check Afar’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.
Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house
TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags before packing to ensure they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that might cause delays. A few years ago, TSA found a cat that had snuck into a traveler’s bag—and there are a few other surprising things that TSA won’t let you carry on board either.
Monitor the weather
Check the weather and forecasts available on sites such as the National Weather Service, the Weather Channel, and AccuWeather so that you can prepare for possible disruptions and establish backup plans for delayed travel. Here’s how airlines make decisions about whether or not to fly in bad weather.
Get to the airport earlier than you’d think
The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Better to arrive early and have some extra time after you get through security than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three before international flights.
Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reversed a rule mandating that all airlines flying to, through, or from the United States provide travelers with immediate cash refunds in the event of a cancellation or significant delay.
Nevertheless, airline passengers are still entitled to a refund for:
- A canceled flight. You are still entitled to a refund if your flight is canceled and you do not want the travel voucher or alternative transportation offered by the airline.
- Delayed baggage. You are entitled to a refund of your checked bag fee if your luggage is not delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arrival or 15 to 30 hours after an international flight arrival (the time frame is dependent on the length of the flight).
- Services that aren’t provided. A refund is required for any service that was paid for but not received, including Wi-Fi, specific seat selection, and in-flight entertainment.
Unfortunately, without the automatic payment rule in effect, the onus is back on the passenger to advocate for compensation.
This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated on November 24, 2025, to include current information.
