Holiday SLC Int’l Airport Travel Rush To Start Week Before Thanksgiving

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Officials with Salt Lake City International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration said they are expecting an 8% increase in travelers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Nationwide, an estimated 26.8 million people will go through security checkpoints beginning this Friday through the first two days of December.

TSA projections show this year’s holiday rush will begin in Utah on Friday, Nov. 22 — the week prior to Thanksgiving — with more than 25,000 travelers estimated to pass through SLC security.

The next spike is expected the day before Thanksgiving, with an estimated 29,000 travelers departing SLC.

Officials said the single busiest day is expected on Dec. 1 and 2, with 30,000 travelers expected at the airport on Sunday, Dec. 1, and 25,000 the following day.

Holiday Travel Tips

Airport officials gave the following travel tips to help travelers get through security checkpoints smoothly during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Arrive early: Officials recommend arriving two hours ahead of a flight departure. The busiest times at SLC are from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. with afternoon rush from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper: If a wrapped item sets off an alarm during screening, TSA officials said they may have to unwrap it to determine what it is.

Traveling with foods: Baked goods (breads, cookies, candies and meats) are allowed in carry-on luggage. Liquids (jams, jellies, sauces, gravies, etc.) must be in quantities of 3.4 oz or 100 mL for carry-on luggage. Anything over 3.4 oz must be placed in a checked bag.

Dress for screening: Avoid bulky jewelry, scarves, hair accessories and large belt buckles that could require additional screening.

Organize carry-on bags: All electronic devices larger than a cell phone should be placed in bins for x-ray screening with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops have been screened for several years.