Flying to Myrtle Beach for spring break? Here are 5 things to know, according to TSA experts

With gorgeous Grand Strand weather and spring break fast approaching, the busy travel season is almost upon Myrtle Beach.

For visitors coming through and locals getting out of town alike, the Myrtle Beach International Airport serves as a hub for spring and summer travel.

Before the tourist season kicks off, here are five things airline passengers should know before traveling through Myrtle Beach.

MYR will be busier than ever

“It’s going to be super busy here as we get into the summer,” said Transportation Security Administration regional spokesperson Mark Howell.

Last year, a record of more than 3.8 million travelers departed from and arrived at Myrtle Beach International Airport. This year is projected to be even busier.

“Right now, we’re seeing about 2,500 passengers a day coming through security here in Myrtle Beach,” Howell said. “You’ll see that ramp up to about 4,000 a day by the end of March and as we get into the summer months of June and July, we’ll see upwards of 12,000 passengers.”

That’s a roughly 10% increase in crowds from 2024.

Be prepared for rush hour

The TSA generally recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before your scheduled departure, Howell said. But just like planning a daily commute, travelers should prepare for rush hour airport traffic.

According to Howell, airports across the United States typically experience rush hour periods between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. While many travelers choose to fly out in the morning, rush hours can be any time before a high volume of flights are departing.

“This year it’s first thing [in the morning], and then there’s a push at like 10 [a.m.], and then another like 3 and 4 [p.m.]” TSA manager Blake Strickland said of Myrtle Beach International Airport. “Every year is different.”

Travelers concerned about long security lines can check flight departures online here to estimate airport crowds.

In addition to their flight’s scheduled departure time, travelers should consider the day they’re flying out when planning for the airport. Weekend travelers can make airports busier from Thursday through Monday, and holidays like Memorial Day weekend and July Fourth are especially busy for travel in a vacation destination like Myrtle Beach.

It’s also important to remember that, if the wait for security is long, chances are the lines for tasks like checking a bag or returning a car will be lengthy as well.

Staffing increases with the tourist season

A long line in the Myrtle Beach International terminal isn’t necessarily cause for panic. The TSA may only operate and staff two security lanes on a slow day, but during peak travel all six lanes run to keep the line moving.

“As we get into summer months, it’s going to be exceptionally busy. We’ll have a lot of flights going out for Myrtle Beach, and a lot of those flights will be full, so we work with [the airlines] to get those numbers, and that lets us know what we need to have open at the checkpoint.”

In addition to increased local staff, the TSA sends national deployment officers to help with security from May through October, because Myrtle Beach International Airport sees such a steep increase in traffic during the tourist season.

“Myrtle Beach is considered a seasonal airport,” Strickland said. “So what they do is they ship officers from all over the country here, and they’ll stage them here … during the summer time to help us out.”

During the tourist season, travelers might also encounter TSA dogs all the way from Charleston. According to Howell, when crowds get “exceptionally heavy,” explosive-detection canines can provide additional security at the Myrtle Beach checkpoint.

You can keep the line moving

Travelers can get through security and to their gates faster by packing carefully. The TSA maintains a comprehensive list of items permitted in carry-ons and checked bags–including food, flammable materials, tools, weapons, medicine and more–online here.

TSA supervisor Scott Whitesell, who has worked at Myrtle Beach International Airport for more than 20 years, said body lotions and mists over the 3.4-oz. limit are the most common items caught at the security checkpoint. According to Howell, self-defense items like pepper spray and brass knuckles are also an issue in college towns like Myrtle Beach.

“We want passengers to really pay attention to what they’re bringing with them to the airport,” Howell said. “That’s their way that they can help us keep those wait times low.”

It’s especially important for travelers to ensure they’re not carrying illegal drugs or firearms that aren’t properly declared and packed in checked luggage, which require law enforcement involvement if found at a TSA checkpoint.

“Checking your bag before you come and starting with an empty bag when you’re packing the night before are two ways you can kind of avoid those mistakes and keep yourself out of trouble,” Howell said.

Real ID is coming

This travel season, the TSA will also start enforcing the REAL ID Act, which will require passengers to carry REAL ID-compliant identification to board commercial domestic flights.

“If you’re planning to travel after May 7 of this year, you’re going to need to make sure you have a REAL ID compliant license or another acceptable form of ID,” Howell said. “You don’t want to get stuck and have a really long screening experience if you don’t have that at that time.”

Drivers in South Carolina can check if their license is compliant by looking for a gold star in the top right corner.

South Carolina residents who don’t have a REAL ID compliant license can learn more about the process here, and folks in other states can visit their state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out more.

This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM.