In anticipation of a busy holiday travel season, the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) says it’s prepared to cap off a record year.
The agency is fully staffed and anticipates screening a projected
44.3 million travelers at U.S. checkpoints between Friday, December 19, 2025, through
Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Heaviest traveler
volume is forecast to be around 2.86 million on Sunday, December 28,
followed by Dec 19, 20, 21, 27, and 29. In 2024, the busiest travel day was
Friday, December 27, when TSA screened just under 2.85 million travelers.
“TSA expects 2025 to be another record setter following
major improvements this year to make airport security more seamless and
secure,” said TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy
Administrator Adam Stahl. “DHS Secretary Noem implemented REAL ID, launched
family and military lanes, and ended the shoes off requirement. We continue to
enhance the traveler experience by deploying new technologies and procedures
that help us meet President Trump’s vision of a Golden Age of Travel.”
TSA’s screening and passenger experience advancements include:
- Enforcing the REAL ID Act on May 7, 2025.
Beginning February 1, 2026, the agency will refer all passengers who do not
present an acceptable form of ID an option to pay $45 to use a modernized
alternative identity verification system, TSA ConfirmID, to establish identity.
- In July, TSA launched new TSA PreCheck “Serve
with Honor, Travel with Ease” program benefits for the military and uniformed
service community. This includes expedited lanes for service members, free TSA
PreCheck for surviving immediate family members of military servicemen and
women who lost their lives in the line of duty, and TSA PreCheck discounts for
spouses of military and uniformed service members.
- Secretary Noem announced a new policy this
summer allowing domestic flying passengers to keep their shoes on while passing
through security screening at TSA checkpoints.
- Secretary Noem also kicked off the “Families on
the Fly” campaign to enhance family hospitality during the airport security
screening experience including dedicated family lanes at select airports
nationwide.
- BOGO offer for TSA PreCheck. Between now and
December 31,2025, passengers who enroll in TSA PreCheck receive $15 off the
second enrollment when two people sign up together through CLEAR, IDEMIA and
Telos.
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