With the holiday season arriving, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts that this may be a record year for holiday travel, and have made various adjustments to accommodate for the sizeable number of passengers.
Record Passenger Levels May Be Met
Between December 19, 2025 and January 4, 2026, TSA has predicted that around 44.3 million travellers will be screened at the nation’s airport security checkpoints. In 2024, the busiest day of the year saw just under 2.85 million travellers on December 27, 2025, with this year increasing to an expected 2.86 million on December 28, 2025.
TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator, Adam Stahl, shared on the subject:
“TSA expects 2025 to be another record setter following major improvements this year to make airport security more seamless and secure. DHS Secretary Noem implemented REAL ID, launched family and military lanes, and ended the shoes off requirement.”
What Adjustments Have Been Made
Despite the estimated record high numbers, TSA is hopeful of a safe and seamless trip for all air travellers due to the adjustments made earlier this year. For example, a new policy was introduced this past summer that allowed passengers in domestic airports to keep on their shoes through the screening process. Alongside this, the ‘Families on the Fly’ campaign began, aimed to enhance the screening experience for travelling families by providing a dedicated family lane.
Moreover, one of the most significant changes came in the REAL ID Act, which came into effect on May 7 earlier this year. This act details that all airline passengers over 18 must present REAL ID-compliant identification, although other acceptable forms of ID, like passports, will still be accepted. However, changes to this act are still to come, with a new adjustment beginning on February 1st, 2026. This will allow passengers without an acceptable form of ID to pay $45 to use an alternative identity verification system known as TSA ConfirmID.
As part of President Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Age of Travel’, it can be expected that various changes in the screening experience are yet to come, though the TSA anticipates that advancements already made will help this year’s holiday surge of passengers get to their destinations more smoothly.
What are your travel plans for the holidays? Let Travel Radar know in the comments, and find other holiday travel-related stories here!
