Travel patterns in the United States reached a historic peak as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that November 30, 2025, marked the busiest travel day in US history. More than 3.13 million passengers were screened at airports nationwide, surpassing the previous record of 3.09 million passengers set earlier in the year. This represents a 1.4% increase compared to the same post-Thanksgiving Sunday in 2024.
The surge in passenger volume comes as the aviation industry continues to recover from significant challenges, including a recent government shutdown that disrupted travel plans for over 5 million passengers. Severe weather conditions in the US Midwest this past weekend further complicated travel, alongside potential issues related to Airbus software updates. Despite these obstacles, TSA agents managed to screen a record 3,133,924 individuals on that Sunday.
Record Travel Trends and Challenges
Prior to 2025, US airport screenings had surpassed 3 million passengers on only two occasions. This year, that milestone has now been reached on seven separate days. Adam Stahl, the Deputy TSA Administrator, highlighted the significance of the record, expressing gratitude for the dedication of TSA officers. He stated, “The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, and this year we have seen record numbers of holiday travelers taking to the skies.”
The TSA’s figures indicate that daily passenger volume has increased to an average of about 2.48 million, which is approximately 14,000 more travelers per day compared to 2024. The top ten busiest travel days in the US are dominated by a mix of summer and holiday travel, with the Sunday following Thanksgiving consistently ranking as the busiest day.
The Busiest Days: A Closer Look
The TSA has now processed over 3 million passengers on nine different occasions. While the Sunday after Thanksgiving is often the busiest day of the year, the peak summer months also contribute significantly to high travel volumes, with all four Sundays in July appearing in the top ten busiest days on record. The following list highlights the top ten record travel days based on TSA screenings:
1. November 30, 2025: Sunday after Thanksgiving – 3,133,924 passengers screened
2. June 22, 2025: Start of the summer travel season – 3,096,797
3. December 1, 2024: Sunday after Thanksgiving – 3,088,836
4. July 6, 2025: Sunday after Fourth of July – 3,041,954
5. July 20, 2025: Mid-summer peak – 3,040,346
6. July 27, 2025: Mid-summer peak – 3,017,408
7. July 7, 2024: Sunday after Fourth of July – 3,013,622
8. May 23, 2025: Start of Memorial Day weekend – 3,010,183
9. July 13, 2025: Mid-summer peak – 3,005,374
10. July 17, 2025: Mid-summer peak – 2,998,091
Despite initial concerns regarding travel demand due to government policies, the airline industry has seen a resurgence in passenger numbers. Analysts from Nerdwallet report that travel costs have decreased year-over-year for six consecutive months, leading to a 7.4% reduction in summer airfares compared to 2024.
Airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) have seen significant passenger traffic. ATL holds a record of 114,000 daily screenings, though the actual passenger count can be much higher. ORD, which experienced 117,871 screenings on August 4, welcomed over 8.26 million passengers in July, averaging approximately 266,000 daily.
The ongoing competition between United Airlines and American Airlines at ORD has resulted in increased capacity and lower fares, driving an 11% year-over-year growth in airline traffic.
As the travel landscape evolves, the record-setting day serves as a testament to the resilience of the aviation industry and the demand for air travel during peak periods.
