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Miami, FL - Travelers packed Miami International Airport early Thursday as millions nationwide headed home for Thanksgiving amid heavy crowds, delays and increased TSA screenings.
Thanksgiving travel surged before dawn Thursday at Miami International Airport as passengers lined up early to beat one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The rush came as airports across the United States prepared for a significant increase in holiday traffic.
AAA estimated that about six million people will travel by air for Thanksgiving this year.
That projection placed additional pressure on airports such as MIA, where heavy passenger volume began building ahead of the holiday.
MIA experienced more than 200 delayed flights on Wednesday as crowds grew.
TSA officials said they are prepared to screen up to 80,000 passengers per day throughout the Thanksgiving period, a notable increase from typical traffic.
Passengers who already made it through security said remaining patient is key during peak travel days.