TSA Shatters One-Day Record for Screened Passengers Amid Thanksgiving Travel Period

Image: Waiting to check in at with TSA security at the airport (photo by Eric Bowman)
Image: Waiting to check in at with TSA security at the airport (photo by Eric Bowman)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 10:50 AM ET, Mon November 27, 2023

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimated that this Thanksgiving holiday would be a whopper.

Little did it know.

TSA set an American aviation record when it processed an all-time high number of passengers on Sunday, November 26.

Airport officials moved 2,907,378 passengers through security checkpoints on the last day of the extended Thanksgiving weekend.

In fact, it’s been an extraordinary month for airline travel. TSA reported that it moved more than 2 million passengers per day through security every day this month, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day (November 23) itself.

The agency has processed more than 2 million passengers per day, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, dating back all the way to September 19, 2023.

TSA has never approached 3 million passengers in a single day before and it did so with more than 7,500 flights canceled or delayed in the Midwest because of a snowstorm.

Outside of the disruptive weather, U.S. airlines and airports did not appear to have any significant problems or meltdowns during the holiday. It was a welcome change from last year.

With the heightened demand for travel, TSA added four new participants for its PreCheck program earlier this year. 


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Get To Know Us Better

Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me
Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me

Become A Travel Expert

Upcoming Webinar
Inclusive Collection, part of World of HyattDEC 12 2PM ETLearn about personalized experiences and escaping into ultimate luxury at our all-new Inclusive...
RSVP Today: Romance, Weddings & Honeymoons Expo - Sept 13-14Virtual Travel Events is the leading virtual event platform for travel advisors and travel industry...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Sarasota Specialist ProgramRelax and do nothing, enjoy a vibrant arts scene or take part in a wide range of action-packed outdoor...
Upcoming Webinar
Inclusive Collection, part of World of HyattDEC 12 2PM ETLearn about personalized experiences and escaping into ultimate luxury at our all-new Inclusive...
RSVP Today: Romance, Weddings & Honeymoons Expo - Sept 13-14Virtual Travel Events is the leading virtual event platform for travel advisors and travel industry...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Sarasota Specialist ProgramRelax and do nothing, enjoy a vibrant arts scene or take part in a wide range of action-packed outdoor...

Explore: Airlines and Airports Suppliers