President's Day Airport Rush: What To Expect

Airports tend to be busy on and around holidays. While Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer weekends are the busiest times, other holidays like Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see high volumes of air passengers. For example, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport expected over half a million passengers during the 2024 Presidents' Day weekend, with nearly 280,000 passengers passing through on Thursday and Friday alone. Similarly, travel expert Clem Bason reports that travel around the December holidays is 30% busier than average, while Thanksgiving is 25% busier.

Airports are busier than usual on Presidents' Day

Airports are often busier than usual on Presidents' Day, with many people choosing to take advantage of the long weekend and head out of town. In fact, travel experts report that the period around Presidents' Day is one of the peak periods for flying, alongside other holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Memorial Day.

For example, in 2024, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is expecting over half a million passengers to pass through the airport during the Presidents' Day weekend, with Thursday and Friday being the busiest days. Typically, a slower travel day during the winter season might see around 100,000 travellers, but on Thursday, the numbers are expected to swell to 140,000, and on Friday, to 146,000.

Similarly, in 2025, nearly 300,000 travellers are expected to pass through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Thursday and Friday alone, with 145,000 travellers projected for Thursday, and 152,500 for Friday. These numbers are significantly higher than the average of 136,000 passengers the airport typically sees on any given day.

To cope with the increase in travellers, airports provide various tools and recommendations to improve the travel experience and reduce congestion. For instance, travellers are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive at the airport early, use public transportation to avoid traffic jams, and download airport apps to stay informed about security checkpoint wait times, flight schedules, and available amenities.

By following these suggestions and staying patient, travellers can navigate the busy airports and enjoy their holiday weekend getaways.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also a busy travel day, as people head to their holiday destinations. In 2024, AAA projected that 55.4 million people would travel for Thanksgiving, an increase of 2 million people from 2019. Thanksgiving week draws major airport crowds, and it can be a brutal time to travel.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest airport day of the year. In 2023, more than 2.9 million people went through US security checkpoints, with similar numbers in 2022 and 2021. Thanksgiving Day itself is the least-busy travel day of the holiday period, with just 1.5 million people passing through security checkpoints in 2023.

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are Thanksgiving Day itself, the Saturday before, and the Monday after. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the worst days to fly.

Other busy travel periods include spring break, summer, and holidays such as Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day.

Christmas is the busiest time for air travel

2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Holiday Travel

The Christmas and New Year's holiday period in 2024 is expected to be the busiest on record for both air and road travel, according to AAA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimates that nearly 40 million travellers will pass through TSA checkpoints from December 19, 2024, to January 2, 2025, a 6.2% increase from 2023.

United Airlines is preparing for its busiest holiday travel period ever, with 9.9 million passengers expected between December 19, 2024, and January 6, 2025. The airline plans to add almost 500 more flights per day during this period. American Airlines also forecasts Friday, December 27, and Friday, December 20, to be its busiest days, serving over 6.6 million bags of pretzels.

Busiest Days to Fly

The busiest days to fly around Christmas vary depending on the source. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, and American Airlines, the busiest days are Thursday, December 19, Friday, December 27, and Friday, December 20. However, United Airlines predicts its busiest days to be Friday, December 20, Friday, December 27, and Saturday, December 28.

The days with the highest airfares tend to be the busiest. According to Expedia, the most expensive days to fly are Friday, December 20, through Sunday, December 22. The cheapest days to fly are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tips for Avoiding Crowds

To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to fly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These days tend to have cheaper prices and fewer travellers. If you can extend your trip, leaving earlier and returning later is also a good strategy. The days immediately before and after Christmas are usually the most crowded, so departing on Tuesday, December 17, Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19, are ideal. For the return journey, Saturday, December 28, or Monday, December 30, are preferable to the Thursday and Friday after Christmas.

Booking in Advance

It is important to book Christmas flights as early as possible, ideally by early September. The best deals are usually available in June, July, or August, and the prices start to increase from October onwards.

Other Busy Travel Periods

While Christmas is the focus of this discussion, it is worth noting that other holidays and weekends throughout the year also bring congestion to airports. These include Thanksgiving, Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Additionally, spring break and summer are busy travel seasons, with higher prices and more crowded airports and planes.

Summer is the busiest travel season

While Presidents' Day is a busy time for airports, with nearly 300,000 travellers passing through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport alone, summer is the busiest travel season. In fact, the absolute busiest and most expensive weeks to fly are around holidays, and summer weekends are the days most in demand.

Summer is a popular time for travel, with July 4th being one of the major holidays, and the last two weekends in June and the first weekend in August are also popular times to fly. The entire summer is, on average, 20% busier than other times of the year. This is due to a combination of factors, including longer days, warmer weather, and the school break. Many people take advantage of the summer months to travel and go on vacation. The increased demand during the summer can lead to higher prices for flights and accommodations, and more crowded airports and tourist destinations.

To avoid the summer rush, travellers can consider booking their trips for spring or fall, when prices may be lower and destinations less crowded. Travelling during the off-season can offer a more relaxed and budget-friendly experience. However, it is important to note that summer is not the busiest time everywhere. For example, in mountain towns, ski resorts, and other winter destinations, the winter months may be the busiest season.

To manage the busy summer travel season, travellers can benefit from planning ahead, being flexible with travel dates and destinations, and considering less popular times to fly, such as early morning or red-eye flights. Additionally, enrolling in trusted traveller programs, such as TSA PreCheck or Clear, can help expedite the security process at the airport.

Spring break is a busy time for airports

While Presidents' Day is a busy time for airports, with people taking advantage of the long weekend to head out of town, Spring Break is also a very busy time for airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reported that Spring Break is a busy time for airports, with a six percent increase in passenger screenings compared to the same time in 2023. The TSA Administrator, David Pekoske, stated that they screened a record number of passengers in 2023 and expected that trend to continue into 2024. The busiest period for Spring Break travel is expected to be between March 7 and March 25.

To prepare for the influx of travellers, the TSA offers the following tips:

• Pack smart and remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids.
• Arrive at the checkpoint with a valid ID and follow the instructions from TSA officers.
• Enroll in TSA PreCheck for faster checkpoint screening.
• Arrive early and be patient, as there may be delays due to traffic, parking, and other factors.
• Call ahead to request passenger support if you have any disabilities or medical conditions.
• Contact TSA through social media or their helpline for any queries or assistance.

Additionally, travellers can consider the following suggestions for a smoother Spring Break travel experience:

• Fly on off-peak days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays to avoid the worst crowds and long lines at security.
• Book the earliest departure to minimise the chances of delays or cancellations.
• Avoid connections and opt for nonstop flights for a smoother travel experience.
• Sign up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to expedite the security process.
• Arrive at the airport early, especially if you need to check a bag, as security checkpoints can get backed up during busy travel periods.
• Travel with only a carry-on bag to save time and avoid the hassle of checking luggage.

By following these tips and planning ahead, travellers can better navigate the busy airports during Spring Break and have a more enjoyable start to their vacations.

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