The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a historic milestone in Thanksgiving air travel. On Sunday, November 24, 3.09 million passengers were screened at U.S. airports, surpassing the previous record by 74,000 travelers. This marks a significant achievement for the airline industry, which also recorded a staggering 232,000 flights between November 24 and Thanksgiving Day.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, TSA screening operations were exceptionally busy, with 2.7 million passengers passing through checkpoints daily on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thanksgiving Day itself, approximately 1.6 million travelers took to the skies, solidifying this period as the busiest on record.

Airlines for America, an industry group, predicts that over 3 million passengers will fly in the U.S. on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. If realized, this figure will surpass last year’s record of 2.9 million screenings on the same day.

Notably, this surge in travel has not led to significant disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported minimal delays and cancellations, with only 0.3% of flights canceled and 1.2% delayed, showcasing unprecedented reliability for this time of year.

However, challenges loom for travelers in the Northeast due to adverse weather conditions. Snowstorms are expected to impact parts of New England, with lake-effect storms predicted to bring up to five feet of snow in areas from Cleveland to Buffalo, New York. These conditions may complicate return travel plans for many passengers.

Despite the weather risks, the Thanksgiving travel season of 2024 has already cemented its place as a record-breaking period for the airline industry, reflecting strong demand and operational efficiency during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.