Today is expected to be one of the busiest travel days in the United States in 14 years, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecasting over 53,000 flights in the air. The holiday rush officially kicks off today, according to AAA, leading to five days of heavy traffic on roads and in the skies.
The FAA reports that today will see the highest number of scheduled flights for the holiday weekend, with American Airlines alone operating 6,200 flights. This surge in air travel can be attributed to the increased flexibility in work schedules in the post-pandemic era.
Recent data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals that this month has witnessed four of the top 10 travel days of all time, with last Friday and Sunday experiencing significant foot traffic at airports nationwide. With over 2.8 million people screened during those days, today is expected to follow suit, and tomorrow is anticipated to be even busier, marking the peak of the holiday weekend.
Travelers are advised by the TSA to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight, especially during peak travel times in the early morning and late afternoon to early evening. By avoiding these peak hours, passengers may experience shorter wait times at security checkpoints.
While air travel is on the rise, road trips remain a popular choice for holiday travel, particularly to destinations like beaches. AAA projects that 38 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the next five days, representing a 4% increase from last year and a 2% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
This surge in travel marks the busiest year for road trips since 2000, coinciding with the era when NSYNC and Three Doors Down dominated the music charts with hits like 'Bye Bye Bye' and 'Kryptonite'.
