Vegas Airport Screened Passengers Hit Record After Super Bowl

Posted on: February 13, 2024, 07:18h. 

Last updated on: February 13, 2024, 07:18h.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport screened almost 104K passengers just hours after Super Bowl LVIII.

On Monday, 103,978 travelers were screened by the TSA staff at the large complex. That’s a one-day record for the airport, agency officials announced on Tuesday.

Agents also screened 65,708 pieces of luggage and other baggage being taken onto flights.

To handle the increased numbers, TSA agents were out in force on Monday in the airport terminals. They staffed five security stations.

Some 75 extra TSA agents were reassigned to Harry Reid for the record-setting day. Specially trained dogs also were on duty to detect possible explosives or other dangers.

Many departing passengers left early to get home following their Las Vegas visit.

Between 5 and 6 a.m. (PT) on Monday, 7,700 passengers got screened by TSA staff. A close 7,600 passengers got screened between 8 and 9 a.m.

The longest wait to get screened by agents was 12 minutes on Monday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The prior Harry Reid airport record for screened passengers was on October 29. That number totaled 103,409.

Four-Hour Preparation

Last month, airport spokesman Joe Rajchel told Casino.org that officials predicted that Monday following the game would be very busy as fans departed.

To prepare for the influx of departing travelers, he explained the airport set up what it called the “4-3-2-1 plan.” That included:

• 4 hours before departure: Travelers planned trips to the airport by checking traffic and waits for rideshares. Rental cars were dropped off.
• 3 hours before departure: Passengers checked baggage after airport arrival.
• 2 hours before departure: Passengers lined up to go through TSA checkpoints.
• 1 hour before departure: Passengers went to terminal gates.

In total, an estimated 330K travelers visited Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Many traveled by plane.

Visitors Watched Game

Some lucky visitors attended Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The game was won by the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime by a 25-to-22 score against the San Francisco 49ers.

Others came to enjoy related activities or watched the game at sports bars or sportsbooks either on the Las Vegas Strip or downtown.

Some $600M to $700M was spent by visitors on Sunday and on prior days, according to LVCVA projections. Tickets, concessions, and merchandise at Allegiant Stadium got a big revenue boost from the visitors. So too did casinos, according to USA Today.