Travelers returning home after Thanksgiving set a new record as airport staff checked more than three million people across the United States in a single day, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
According to TSA checkpoint travel numbers, the authority processed a record 3,087,393 passengers on December 1, 2024, up from 2,321,965 in 2023.
This number surpasses the record 3.01 million passengers that were handled on July 7, 2024, following the annual July 4th Independence Day celebrations.
However, many travelers faced delays or flight cancellations. On December 1, 2024, there were 7,011 total delays and 123 cancellations in the US, according to data from FlightAware. United Airlines had 514 delays and 23 cancellations, Delta Air Lines delayed 989 flights, and Qantas had 196 delays.
The airports most impacted included Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with 163 delays, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with 144 delays, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) which reported 218 delays.
The following day was also busy. On December 2, 2024, the US experienced 5,863 delays and 143 flight cancellations. United Airlines reported 367 delays and 35 cancellations, while Delta Air Lines had 644 delayed flights, and Qantas faced 154 delays.
Due to heavy holiday passenger volumes, we are seeing increased vehicle traffic at DFW’s North entrance to International Parkway. If driving to the airport, consider using DFW’s South entrance for faster transit time. pic.twitter.com/bAPPfEq88w
— DFW Airport (@DFWAirport) December 1, 2024