Indy Airport Anticipates Busiest Fall Break Travel Season Yet

Passengers strongly encouraged to arrive two hours before boarding time

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 1, 2025) – The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is providing Fall Break 2025 briefing information below regarding air travel from Oct. 6 – 24. The information provides updated travel data, crucial alerts and tips travelers need to know prior to coming to the Indy airport for their Fall Break 2025 trip.

Key points to share include high-traffic dates, anticipated general passenger volume, and travel tips to help make Hoosiers’ Fall Break travel a delight.

FALL BREAK 2025 – FACTS & FIGURES

This Fall Break travel could reach new records, possibly landing among the top 10 busiest days ever at the Indy airport.

  • The first busier-than-normal day will be Oct. 6.

  • During Fall Break, airlines have increased daily seat capacity* by 6% compared to Fall Break 2024.

  • Capacity on 11 days of the Fall Break timeframe exceeds Memorial Day 2025 (IND’s busiest day on record). 

  • Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays will be the Indy airport’s busiest days each week of Fall Break.

  • TSA checkpoints will open at 3 a.m. on those days to accommodate.

*Seat capacity is the potential number of seats available on an aircraft through a designated schedule period.

PREPARING FOR FALL BREAK TRAVEL

With Fall Break season upon us, it’s expected to be a busy few weeks of air travel -- and it’s important for travelers to be prepared before arriving at the airport. Plan ahead, pack smart, and get to the airport early.

Hoosiers can process through either TSA checkpoint and proceed to their gate in either concourse using the concourse connector. TSA PreCheck is only available on checkpoint A. Airline ticket counters opening time varies, but they open two hours before flight departure.

 Passengers no longer need to remove their shoes during TSA screening.

 It’s important for travelers to ensure they have their government-issued identification on hand and ready to show to TSA personnel.

 As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Learn more at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.

 

The Indy airport also strongly encourages travelers to consider the following travel tips below,

 Before leaving for the airport

 

  • Always check flight status with the airline prior to arriving at the airport

  • Arrive a full two hours ahead of the departure time to get checked in, through security, and to the gate in plenty of time before boarding call

  • Download the airline’s mobile app for all pertinent travel update

  • Use a mobile boarding pass or print boarding passes ahead of time

  • Download the MyTSA app for 24/7 access to the most frequently requested airport security information, including helpful tips for preparing for security and a searchable database of items that can and can’t go in checked or carry-on bags

  • Pack smart – check for prohibited items and follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Learn more at: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/refresh-your-memory-liquid-rules

 

Plan ahead for parking

 

 

At the terminal

 

  • Bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up at the numerous water bottle filling stations located throughout the terminal

  • New restaurants are now open at IND offering a local flavor, see all available dining options and their operating hours at https://www.ind.com/dining-shopping-services/dining - note that dining and retail will have extended hours during peak travel days

  • Use the Concourse Connector to explore available dining options in both concourses, no matter which one you are flying out of

  • Explore new artwork throughout the terminal from local artists, and the KIND Gallery space. Learn more at: https://www.ind.com/publicart

  • When picking up friends or family, use the Cell Phone Lot to wait, then proceed to the drive for pick-up or park in hourly parking and meet your guest inside