DULLES, Va. – It was an extremely busy April at Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) checkpoints.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at both airports recorded their highest checkpoint volume on April 11. In addition, four of the top 10 busiest days in the books were recorded at IAD when April 10, 11, 12 and 13 all made the airport’s top 10 list.
“Our officers are focused on the security mission while providing minimal operational issues to provide a good passenger experience as travelers make their way along the path to their flights,” said Eric Beane, TSA’s Acting Federal Security Director for IAD. “I’m proud of our officers, especially during this busy spring travel period.”
“We expect that May also will be a busy travel month,” said John Busch, Federal Security Director for DCA. “As the REAL ID enforcement date begins in just two days, we urge travelers who do not have a REAL ID license to look into whether they have an acceptable alternative form of identification, the most common being a passport.”. TSA’s web site lists several alternative acceptable forms of identification.
Top 10 Highest Checkpoint Volume Days at Washington Dulles International Airport
Rank | Date | Checkpoint volume |
1 | 4-11-25 | 44,763 |
2 | 8-30-24 | 43,832 |
3 | 4-12-25 | 43,562 |
4 | 6-15-24 | 42,978 |
5 | 4-10-25 | 42,897 |
6 | 8-4-24 | 42,801 |
7 | 4-13-25 | 42,525 |
8 | 6-13-24 | 42,454 |
9 | 6-28-24 | 42,337 |
10 | 6-27-24 | 42,256 |
Top 10 Highest Checkpoint Volume Days at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Rank | Date | Checkpoint volume |
1 | 4-11-25 | 42,987 |
2 | 4-12-19 | 42,411 |
3 | 6-14-24 | 42,352 |
4 | 3-22-24 | 42,234 |
5 | 6-17-16 | 42,216 |
6 | 12-13-24 | 42,199 |
7 | 10-5-18 | 42,157 |
8 | 10-20-24 | 42,155 |
9 | 5-25-19 | 42,070 |
10 | 3-21-24 | 41,988 |
As a reminder to individuals who will be traveling this spring and into the summer months, TSA offers these five helpful travel tips.
Tip #1: Get to the airport early with your REAL ID license or acceptable alternative
Travelers should arrive a minimum of two hours before their scheduled domestic flights and three hours before scheduled international flights. Travelers will need a REAL ID compliant license or another acceptable form of identification. TSA has a list of more than a dozen alternative acceptable IDs online.
If you find yourself waiting in a security checkpoint lane, use that time to your advantage. That’s the ideal time to remove items from your pockets and place them into a carry-on bag. It’s also the time to get out your ID and boarding pass so you’re not fumbling in your wallet for your ID when you step up to the TSA travel document checking podium.
Tip #2: Know before you go
Travelers need to know what can and cannot go in their carry-on bag, from firearms to oversize liquids. Passengers will spend more time in the security checkpoint if their carry-on items trigger an alarm because it results in TSA’s need to resolve the alarm by opening the carry-on bag to determine what triggered the alarm.
The most common item that travelers bring to the checkpoint that is not permitted through the screening process are liquids, gels and aerosols that are larger than the acceptable limit. Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols that are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller through a checkpoint if those items fit into a one quart-sized, resealable bag. This is known as the 3-1-1 bag. Common travel items that must comply with the liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, sun block, body spray, mouthwash and lotions. Containers of liquids, gels and aerosols that are larger can be transported in checked baggage. This includes snow globes, which are popular at this time of the year.
TSA officers also are seeing travelers arrive at the checkpoint with bottles of water, juice, energy drinks, coffee and soda. TSA officers will give travelers the choice to exit the security checkpoint to drink their beverages in the terminal or allow the officer to dispose of it. Travelers may bring empty containers such as a water bottle or insulated container through checkpoints and fill them after passing through the checkpoint.
Tip #3: Use TSA’s tools for your resources
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
Tip #4: Enroll in TSA PreCheck®
There is still plenty of time to enroll in TSA PreCheck before the start of the busy summer travel season. This program offers expedited screening for members. They can leave their shoes on; leave electronics in their carry-on bag; leave a lightweight jacket on; and leave their belts on when going through a checkpoint. The program is currently available at more than 200 airports with more than 90 participating airports nationwide.
Tip #5 When traveling with a medical condition or disability
TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to traveling at 855-787-2227 with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Or email TSA Cares. TSA Cares is available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays.