The holiday travel rush is in full swing, and airports across the country are bustling with activity. Nicole Lindsay, a Baltimore resident, thought she could beat the crowds by booking an early-morning flight, but she quickly realized that wasn’t the case. “It was quite busy,” Lindsay said as she navigated through Palm Beach International Airport with her three daughters. “There were a lot of kids on the flight, so it was kind of noisy with crying babies.”
Lindsay’s experience is not unique. According to AAA, a record-breaking 70.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over a nine-day stretch that began on June 27. This represents a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of travelers will be hitting the roads, and AAA warns that traffic will be at its worst between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on most days.
However, air travel is also expected to reach new heights this holiday weekend. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts that its officers will screen over 3 million travelers at U.S. airports on Sunday alone, surpassing the previous record set on June 23. American Airlines has dubbed Sunday as its busiest day of the entire summer, with more than 6,500 flights scheduled.
The TSA has been put to the test this year, as eight of the ten busiest days in its history have occurred in 2024. Despite this surge in travelers, TSA Administrator David Pekoske assures that the agency has enough screeners to handle the expected crowds. “We have been totally tested over the course of the last couple of months in being able to meet our wait-time standards,” Pekoske stated on NBC’s “Today” show.
Interestingly, even though polls consistently show that a high percentage of Americans believe the economy is poor, it hasn’t deterred them from traveling this summer. Madison Tilner, a law school student at Northwestern University, shared her perspective while waiting for a flight at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. “My finances are always pretty tight,” Tilner admitted. “But I’m trying to travel more and use my free time while I can. I think a lot of people feel that way in summer.”
While many travelers are making their way to their destinations smoothly, there have been some hiccups along the way. Flight delays have plagued approximately 3,000 flights on Wednesday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Passengers on a Delta Air Lines red-eye flight from Detroit to Amsterdam experienced an unexpected delay when the plane had to land in New York due to spoiled meals being served in the main cabin shortly after takeoff. Delta issued an apology to the affected passengers for the inconvenience and delay.
As the holiday weekend continues, it’s clear that travel is in high demand. Whether it’s by car or plane, Americans are determined to make the most of their summer and explore new destinations. Despite the challenges and occasional setbacks, the joy of travel remains strong. So, if you find yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of an airport or stuck in traffic on the highway, remember that you’re not alone in your quest for adventure and relaxation.
