What are the peak hours at San Diego Airport? Tips to get through TSA faster

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – As you enter or run into San Diego International Airport during the holiday season, you’ll be greeted by a harpist playing Christmas carols and several decorated trees and wreaths during the busiest time of year for ensure a good mood at the airport every year.

To protect this holiday magic, hundreds of TSA agents are ready to screen you and your luggage for your flight.

The cutest of them is probably Kipper, a springer spaniel who sniffs out explosives with his handler Ryan. She is one of only 5 Springer Spaniel TSA K9.

RELATED: How to Prepare for a Vacation Trip at San Diego International Airport

“Anything in the area, no matter how hidden, will pick it up, and her nose is so good,” Ryan said.

Ryan and Kipper will help screen some of the 1.3 million passengers expected to travel through San Diego International Airport this holiday season from Thursday, December 19, to Sunday, January 5, 2025. That equates to about 80,000 people per day, according to airport officials, increasing compared to recent years.

While the airport is always busy this time of year, the TSA announced that there are the following peak times for passenger screening: 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 9 a.m. to noon, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m

The busiest time of day for TSA at SAN is 5 a.m. to 6 a.m

The congested travel time is associated with the construction of the new terminal one. Harbor Drive is more crowded than usual this time of year and airport officials are reminding travelers to allow extra time.

“Harbor Drive is very congested, give yourself plenty of time and expect to encounter a lot of traffic,” said Nicole Hall, a spokeswoman for SAN.

TSA officials remind passengers not to travel with wrapped gifts or they may have to unwrap them for inspection. Instead, they recommend traveling with a gift bag or box that can be easily opened in case officials need to take a closer look.

What a possible government shutdown could mean for San Diego

“If our officer needs to take a closer look at the bag, he will need to unwrap your gift,” said Lorie Dankers of TSA Public Affairs. “Our officers are not the Grinch, they are simply following instructions, so please use a gift bag, perhaps a decorative box, instead.”

There are restrictions on the amount of liquids that can be carried in hand luggage. However, solid foods are generally allowed to be carried in hand luggage, including meat, cheese, cookies, cakes and bread.

The TSA says food that can be spread, dumped, pumped or spilled cannot be carried in a carry-on bag.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.