LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Thousands of people are expected to swarm Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport on Monday as they head back home after Super Bowl weekend.
In fact, Monday is expected to mark the airport's busiest day in history, according to LAS spokesperson Heidi Hayes.
A post on the airport's X account showed "bumper to bumper" traffic on airport roadways and leading up to the departure curb.
It’s the morning after #SuperBowl and the traffic is bumper to bumper on airport roadways and up to the departures curb. If you’re flying out of LAS today make sure to allow plenty of time to get here. pic.twitter.com/UYGPbJ54R6
— Harry Reid International Airport (@LASairport) February 12, 2024
According to TSA officials, it's possible that more than 100,000 passengers will be screened at the airport on Monday, the day after the first Super Bowl to ever take place in Las Vegas.
The daily record for screenings at Harry Reid International is 103,499, which was set on Oct. 29 of last year.
Through a social media account, the TSA said Monday afternoon that over 60,000 people were screened at checkpoints at the airport between midnight and 12 p.m. on Monday.
Edwin Gonzalez, a San Francisco 49ers fan, was one of the travelers moving through the airport early Monday afternoon.
He says getting to town and getting around town during Super Bowl week was mostly seamless.
"The town is awesome, the vibe is awesome and there's a lot to do," Gonzalez said. "Everything is in one place, which makes it easy. Viva Las Vegas."
Joe Rajchel, a spokesman for the airport, says he expects Tuesday to also be busy, but certainly not as busy as Monday.
"The lines have moving quickly, both at ticketing and at checkpoints," Rajchel said early Monday afternoon.
In all, over 300,000 were expected to visit Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. As of late Monday afternoon, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority had not released any updated information on visitor numbers.
In the days leading up to Monday, airport officials worked to spread the word that anyone flying out of LAS on Monday should plan to arrive at least three hours early.
The airport is advising flyers to use their "4-3-2-1: Winning Play" strategy, which they outlined as follows:
- Four hours before departure: Arrange your transportation/drop off rental car.
- Three hours before departure: Check your bags with your airline.
- Two hours before departure: Get in line at the TSA security checkpoint.
- One hour before departure: Be at the gate, ready to board.
To help accommodate fliers, the airport provided some travelers with complimentary inflatable travel pillows and water.
“We are just trying to make it a great experience. It's been such a great weekend for the destination, and as people leave, we just want to give them more excitement,” Hayes said.
