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The Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2024 marked a historic moment for U.S. air travel, as it became the busiest day ever recorded. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening over 3 million passengers on December 1, surpassing the previous record set on July 7 of the same year.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had anticipated this surge, stating last week at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, "These will likely be some of the busiest travel days in U.S. history." This prediction held true as each of the ten busiest days at U.S. airports has occurred since May.
Travelers experienced relatively smooth operations despite memories of past disruptions such as Delta Air Lines' July meltdown and Southwest Airlines' holiday operational issues in 2022. Minimal flight disruptions were noted nationwide, although Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport faced significant delays due to winter weather, with nearly half of its flights delayed.
