- Record Traveler Volume: Over 17.8 million passengers are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving week, setting a new record for air travel volume.
- Busiest Travel Day: The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 30, 2025, is projected to be the single busiest day, with over three million passengers anticipated.
- Major Airport Delays: High-traffic hubs like Newark, Chicago-O’Hare, and Miami are forecasted to have average TSA wait times of 45-55 minutes.
- TSA Preparation Advice: Travelers are strongly advised to arrive early, use the correct security lanes, and prepare their documents and carry-on items to minimize delays
Major US airports, including Newark, Chicago-O’Hare, Miami, San Francisco, George Bush Intercontinental, and Seattle-Tacoma, are preparing for significantly longer Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times as the Thanksgiving 2025 holiday approaches. This anticipated congestion is due to a record-breaking surge in air travelers, which the TSA has termed the “Golden Age of Travel.”
The TSA projects that over 17.8 million passengers will be screened between November 25 and December 2, 2025, marking the week as one of the busiest travel periods in history. The high volume is exacerbated by an increasing number of people choosing to fly instead of drive for the holidays. The agency is particularly concerned about the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 30, which is forecast to be the single busiest day, potentially seeing more than three million passengers pass through security checkpoints.
Major hubs like Miami International, Los Angeles International, and John F. Kennedy International are expected to experience the longest average TSA wait times, nearing one hour in some cases. Despite these challenges, TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl has assured the public that the agency’s workforce is prepared. Travelers are strongly advised to take proactive steps to ensure a smoother experience, such as arriving at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights, knowing the rules for carry-on liquids, and having necessary travel documents ready. The key to navigating this record travel period is preparation, patience, and flexibility
