Airports And July 4Th: What's The Rush?

The Fourth of July is a significant holiday in the US, and it is often a busy time for travel. However, when it comes to airports, the data shows that the holiday is usually the least busy day to fly. Airport crowds on Independence Day average around 70-80% of the typical volume on the busiest travel days. In 2022, the Friday before July 4th was the busiest travel day, with Monday being the lightest.

Airports are busiest on the Friday before July 4th

Airports are usually at their busiest on the Friday before July 4th, with Monday, July 4th being the least busy. This is because many people like to extend their holiday weekend and travel on the Friday before the holiday.

Historical Data

In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened roughly 2.7 million people at US airports on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend—the highest checkpoint volume at that time in 2023. In 2019, the Friday before Memorial Day was the third busiest day at US airports for the entire year. This indicates that airports could be even busier around Independence Day than Memorial Day weekend.

Predictions for 2024

In 2024, July 4th falls on a Thursday, which makes it harder to predict travel patterns. However, historical data suggests that the Friday before July 4th will be the busiest travel day.

Avoiding the Crowds

If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to fly on July 4th itself, which is usually the least busy day to fly. Another option is to fly on Saturday, either before or after the holiday. Shifting your trip by just one day can make a big difference in terms of crowds and airfare.

Cost Considerations

While Friday is typically one of the most expensive days to fly, this may not be the case during the July 4th weekend. Returning home on July 5th allows you to still spend the holiday at your destination and have the full weekend at home before Monday.

Other Tips

For those who don't mind early morning flights, consider flying between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. as these flights are half as likely to be delayed compared to flights departing after 9 a.m.

July 4th is the least busy day to fly

If you're planning to travel by air around the Fourth of July, you may be wondering whether the holiday will impact airport crowds and flight prices. Here's what the data says about the best and worst days to fly during this period.

Airport Busyness on July 4th

July 4th falls on a Thursday in 2024, which makes predicting travel crowds a bit tricky. Some people might opt to take Friday off to enjoy a long weekend, while others might save their vacation days for a different holiday. However, historical data shows that July 4th itself tends to be the least busy day for air travel during the holiday period.

Advantages of Flying on July 4th

Flying on July 4th can offer several advantages. Airports are typically less crowded on this day, with passenger numbers averaging around 70-81% of the busiest travel days. This means shorter lines and potentially less time spent waiting at the airport. Additionally, if you're looking to save money, choosing a Tuesday for your travel plans is a good idea as Tuesdays are generally the least expensive days to fly.

Other Good Days to Fly

If you don't want to travel on the holiday itself, there are a few other options for lighter travel days. The Tuesday before and after July 4th are usually among the least busy days to fly during that week. Alternatively, consider flying on Saturday, July 6th. By shifting your trip by just one day from the typical Friday or Sunday travel days, you can likely avoid some of the crowds and potentially find better flight deals.

Worst Days to Fly

To help you avoid the busiest travel days, it's good to know which days to avoid. The Friday before July 4th is consistently one of the busiest travel days, so you may want to skip flying on June 30th. For your return trip, avoid flying on the Sunday after the holiday, as it tends to be the busiest day for post-holiday travel.

Planning Your Trip

When planning your July Fourth weekend travel, consider deviating from the typical holiday travel patterns to find lighter crowds and better flight deals. Embrace Saturday travel or take advantage of the emptiest travel day by flying on July 4th itself. With this information in mind, you can make informed decisions about your travel itinerary and enjoy a smoother journey.

The Sunday after July 4th is the busiest day to fly post-holiday

The Sunday after July 4th is typically the busiest day for air travel post-Independence Day celebrations. This pattern holds true for at least the last three to four years. In 2019, the Sunday after July 4th was the most crowded day at U.S. airports, with the Monday after being the second busiest. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with the Sunday after July 4th likely to be the most expensive day to fly in the country, with airfares averaging 15% more than mid-week departures.

The Sunday after July 4th is busy because people are returning from their July 4th vacations. Most people try to maximise their weekends, so they wait until Sunday to fly home. This creates a surge in demand for flights on that particular day.

If you want to avoid the crowds and potentially save money, it is recommended to fly on a different day. Embracing Saturday travel is a good option. Instead of rushing out from work on Friday afternoon, you can relax at home and depart on Saturday morning. This small shift in your trip can result in going from one of the busiest to one of the lightest travel days of the July 4th period.

Another option is to fly home on Wednesday, July 5th. This allows you to still spend the holiday in your chosen destination and gives you the full weekend at home to rest before Monday. July 5th is usually one of the cheapest days to fly year-round, and it has been a consistently light travel day according to TSA data.

Flying on July 4th itself is another option to avoid the crowds. It is typically the least busy day to fly, with airport crowds averaging around 70-80% of what they are on the busiest travel days. However, this option may not be suitable for everyone, as some people may want to spend the holiday celebrating rather than travelling.

The Sunday after July 4th is one of the busiest days at U.S. airports, second only to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. In 2023, the Friday of Memorial Day weekend was the busiest day at U.S. airports so far that year, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening roughly 2.7 million people. This indicates that July 4th celebrations could see even bigger crowds at airports.

The Friday before July 4th is typically the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. This is something to keep in mind if you are planning to travel on that day. However, the Tuesday before July 4th is usually one of the least busy days to fly during that week.

The Tuesday before and after July 4th are the least busy days

If you're planning to travel by air around the Fourth of July, it's worth considering the Tuesday before and after Independence Day, as these dates tend to be among the least busy days for airports during that week. While the Friday before the Fourth of July is typically the busiest travel day, deviating from this schedule can result in lighter crowds and potentially better flight deals.

In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened approximately 2.7 million people at US airports on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, indicating that summer travel was off to a busy start. This was the highest checkpoint volume at that point in the year. The Friday before Memorial Day was the third busiest day at US airports for 2023 overall, surpassed only by the Sundays after Thanksgiving and July Fourth. This suggests that airports could be even busier for Independence Day than Memorial Day weekend.

However, making travel predictions for the Fourth of July in 2023 is challenging because the holiday falls midweek on a Tuesday. Some people may opt to take the preceding Monday off to enjoy a long weekend, while others may prefer to save their vacation days for a different holiday. This can impact travel patterns and make it tricky to determine which days will be the busiest.

According to an analysis of TSA data by NerdWallet, the Fourth of July holiday itself is usually the least busy day to fly. On this day, airport crowds averaged around 81% of what they were relative to the busiest travel day. If you're willing to travel on the holiday itself, you can take advantage of less congested airports.

For those who want to maximise their long weekend, travelling on the Tuesday before and after the Fourth of July is a strategic choice. These Tuesdays are generally less busy days for airports, allowing travellers to avoid the worst of the crowds and potentially save money on airfare.

While Fridays are typically the busiest day to fly, Tuesdays are often the least busy. So, if you have some flexibility with your travel plans, opting for a Tuesday flight can make your Fourth of July journey a little smoother and maybe even cheaper.

Flying early on July 4th can half your chances of a delay

Flying early on July 4th can halve your chances of a delay

If you're planning to travel by air around the Fourth of July, you may be wondering: will airports be busy? And what's the best time to fly to avoid the crowds?

Well, you're in luck! Historical data shows that July 4th is typically the least busy day to fly. So, if you don't mind travelling on the holiday itself, you can take advantage of quieter airports and lower your chances of a delayed flight.

But it's not just any July 4th flight that will do the trick. For the best results, consider booking an early morning flight. According to travel booking app Hopper's spring 2023 Flight Disruption Outlook, flights departing between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. are half as likely to be delayed compared to flights scheduled after 9 a.m. So, if you can manage an early start, you'll be rewarded with smoother travel and a lower risk of delays.

Of course, there's more to consider than just the flight time. By choosing to fly on a particular day of the week, you can also avoid the busiest travel periods. In general, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, while Tuesdays are the least busy. So, if your plans allow for it, try to avoid flying on a Friday and opt for a Tuesday instead. This strategy can be especially useful when dealing with popular travel periods like the Fourth of July.

Now, let's take a closer look at the specifics of Fourth of July travel. When this holiday falls midweek, as it did in 2019, the Sunday after the Fourth is typically the most crowded day at airports. The Monday after is the second busiest, followed by the Friday before. So, if you can be flexible with your travel dates, it's best to avoid these days.

Instead, consider flying on the days that tend to be the least crowded. In 2019, the Thursday (Fourth of July) and Friday after were the quietest days at airports. So, if you can book your trip to align with these days, you'll likely encounter fewer crowds and have a more pleasant travel experience.

But remember, these are just historical trends. Each year can vary, and it's always a bit tricky to predict travel patterns around the Fourth of July. So, while this information can guide your decisions, there are no guarantees. However, by choosing early morning flights and travelling on less busy days, you can optimise your chances of a smooth and delay-free journey.

Happy travels!

Frequently asked questions