CLEVELAND — If you’re packing your bags for the holidays, be sure to take a few moments to consult the advice offered by the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport ahead of the busy travel season.

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland airport cautions travelers on a busier holiday travel season

  • The airport estimates 500,000 travelers from Dec. 15 through Jan. 2

  • That's a 20% jump from last year and even a 10% jump from 2019's pre-pandemic levels

  • The airport and TSA have issued guidance on holiday travel

The airport is recommending travelers arrive early for their flights because, while more spread out than Thanksgiving, they still expect a lot of fliers throughout the next two weeks, around 500,000 in fact.

That estimation covers a 19-day period, according to a press release from the airport, starting on Dec. 15 and ending on Jan. 2. The airport is estimating a busier travel season this year.

The release notes that this is a 20% jump from last year and a 10% jump from 2019’s pre-pandemic numbers.

“The team encourages airport-goers to plan ahead for this busy travel season,” the release states. “Travelers should allow plenty of time to arrive at the airport, find parking, check in and pass through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security.”

The release notes the “peak activity times” are from 5 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 21, there will be a local vendor event in the food court, where travelers can buy gifts.

“Back by popular demand, CLE and American Greetings have teamed up to provide free gift wrapping to guests,” the release states.

There will also be carolers inside the terminal from 7-10 a.m. on Dec. 20-22.

The airport issued the following tips for holiday travel:

  • Arrive a minimum of two hours early
  • Visit the airport’s website for up-to-date flight information, as well as the airport’s social media accounts
  • Print boarding pass early via the airport website
  • If picking up, utilize one of two cellphone lots
  • Consider riding the RTA Red Line to the airport

The airport also shared TSA’s holiday-specific travel tips, which include:

  • While some food is allowed through security checkpoints, they may be selected for additional screening. Spreadable and pourable foods must be in checked bags.
  • Snow globes less than 3.4 ounces (roughly the size of a tennis ball) can be carried on, but larger must be in checked bag
  • If bringing gifts, do not wrap with tape. If security needs to inspect the item, they will have to unwrap it. TSA recommends putting the gift in an unsealed box or waiting to wrap it until you arrive at your destination.