The Busiest Travel Days of the Year & How CLEAR Makes Them Stress-Free

Those who fly regularly know that certain times of the year are busier than others. Conventional wisdom has held that the days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, tend to be heavier air travel days. Are these days really the busiest? How can you plan your trips to avoid traveling during the busiest times? And if you must travel on those days, can you make the experience less stressful? We've got you covered in this guide.

What Were the Busiest Travel Days in 2024?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that the volume of air travelers is increasing each year. The 10 busiest air travel days in 2024, along with their corresponding numbers of travelers, are as follows:

• December 1, 2024: 3,088,036
• July 7, 2024: 3,013,622
• June 23, 2024: 2,996,495
• July 18, 2024: 2,957,170
• May 24, 2024: 2,951,859
• June 24, 2024: 2,944.001
• June 28, 2024: 2,938,292
• July 14, 2024: 2,937,845
• June 14, 2024: 2,929,467
• July 25, 2024: 2,924,478

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The TSA occasionally over-projects the number of travelers it anticipates screening at airports nationwide around a given holiday or period of time. For example, the TSA was expecting to screen a total of 18.3 million passengers nationwide from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving Day to the Monday after Thanksgiving in 2024. The actual number, while close at 18,080,093, fell slightly short. Overall, the busiest travel days during the holiday seasons broke down as follows:

Thanksgiving:

• Nov. 22, 2024 (Friday before Thanksgiving): 2,754,798
• Nov. 27, 2024 (Wednesday before Thanksgiving): 2,726,845
• Dec. 1, 2024 (Sunday after Thanksgiving): 3,088,836

Christmas:

• Dec. 22, 2024 (Sunday before Christmas): 2,800,962
• Dec. 27, 2024 (Friday after Christmas): 2,848,156

Memorial Day weekend:

• May 23, 2024 (Thursday before Memorial Day weekend): 2,897,521
• May 24, 2024 (Friday before Memorial Day weekend): 2,951,859
• May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day): 2,771,700

Labor Day weekend:

• Aug. 30, 2024 (Friday before Labor Day weekend): 2,913,547
• Sept. 2, 2024 (Labor Day): 2,748,226

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How to Lessen Travel Stress and Improve Reliability

One of the most important factors for any trip is travel time reliability, or the ways in which you can improve the predictability of your travel time. Unpredictable travel times can cause added stress, so here are a few ways to improve travel time reliability:

• Avoid traveling during traditionally busy times. The TSA does not release data on which days of the week or times of the day are the busiest to fly. However, looking at historical data, Fridays (especially before holidays) and Sundays (especially after holidays) have seen the highest number of travelers. The busiest times at checkpoints during holiday flying are 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., 10 a.m. to noon, and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Flying mid-week and avoiding the usual busy times may make your travel experience easier.  
• Check the MyTSA App. The MyTSA App gives you real-time, 24/7 access to information on airport security on your mobile device. You can check how busy the airport you use is likely to be on the specific day and time of travel based on historical data. 
• Take an earlier flight and/or return later to avoid busier travel days and times. Work remotely, if you can, to allow for travel on alternate days or at lighter times. 
• Use other modes of transportation. If you cannot escape traveling during busier days of the week and/or times of the day, take the train or other transportation, if possible.

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What If You Must Travel During Busy Times?

If you absolutely must travel during the airport’s busiest days and times, there are things that you can do to make your travel experience even easier:

• Sign up for CLEAR+. CLEAR+ Members know how to get through airport security faster, as they have access to expedited screening at all CLEAR locations. CLEAR+ helps you speed through the airport, even during the busiest travel days and times.
• Arrive at the airport early to beat the longer security lines. It is generally recommended to arrive three hours before departure times for international flights and two hours early for domestic flights. Plan to get to the airport even earlier than those general guidelines if you are traveling on busier days, around holidays, or at busier times of the day.
• Bring food with you rather than waiting to buy it at the airport. The TSA notes that most solid foods, such as sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks, may be transported in both carry-on and checked baggage. This will save you time and the extra hassle of waiting in long lines for food at the airport. 
• Book CLEAR Concierge. This airport concierge service, available exclusively to CLEAR+ Members, connects you with an Ambassador who will meet you upon arrival at the airport, bring you directly through the CLEAR+ Lane, help you with your luggage, and guide you to your gate. CLEAR Concierge is available at select airports across the country and must be booked ahead of your flight.
• Ship luggage to your destination ahead of time with Ship&Play. Another service available to CLEAR+ Members, Ship&Play enables you to ship luggage, skis, golf clubs, and anything else you are bringing with you on your trip. Taking away the need to check bags at a busy airport gives you one less thing to worry about. CLEAR+ Members get 50% off their first round-trip shipment. 

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Helping You Travel Stress-Free at Any Time of the Year

Even on the slowest days of the week and the least busy times of the day, travel can be nerve-wracking. CLEAR+ Members know how to make travel frictionless, no matter the season. Members get access to CLEAR Perks, including CLEAR Concierge and Ship&Play, to make travel less stressful—even during the holidays or on busy days.

Not a CLEAR+ Member yet? Sign up for your airport fast pass, and make your next busy travel season that much easier.