Christmas Travel: Airports Buzzing Or Calm On December 25Th?

Christmas is a peak time for travel, with millions of people taking to the skies to visit loved ones or go on vacation. But is Christmas Day itself a busy time at the airport? It depends. Generally, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the least crowded days to travel, with fewer people wanting to fly on the holidays themselves. However, this also means that public transport and services at the airport may be reduced, which could slow things down. The days before Christmas are usually the busiest, with travellers rushing to get to their destinations in time for the 25th. So, if you're wondering if you need to arrive extra early for your Christmas Day flight, the answer is probably not – but be prepared for potential delays due to reduced staffing and services.

Christmas Day is one of the least busy travel days

Christmas Eve is also a good day to fly, as it is usually quiet, and you can get some good deals. However, if you are travelling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you may need to be flexible with your travel times, as there are usually fewer flights available on these dates.

If you are looking for the cheapest and quietest days to fly, it is best to book as early as possible. For Christmas travel, it is recommended to book by early September at the latest, and for international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance.

While Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are good options for avoiding crowds, there are other quiet travel days during the holiday season. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are also good options, as people usually want to be at home to celebrate these holidays.

If you are driving, the roads are usually quieter on the holidays themselves, so Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day are good options to avoid traffic.

Christmas Eve is also a good day to fly

Christmas Eve is one of the least crowded travel days during the busy holiday season. In addition to fewer crowds, you may also benefit from cheaper airfare if you choose to fly on Christmas Eve. This is because fewer people want to travel on the holiday itself, so there is less demand, which generally correlates to lower prices.

Another advantage of flying on Christmas Eve is that you are more likely to avoid delays and cancellations. The days immediately before and after Christmas tend to have higher flight disruption rates, so choosing Christmas Eve can increase the chances of your flight departing on time.

However, it's important to keep in mind that reduced staffing on holidays can sometimes slow things down at the airport, and you may experience issues with ground transportation at your origin or destination, depending on the location and local customs. Public transport, taxis, or rental car services may be operating on a limited schedule, so it's worth checking in advance to ensure a smooth journey.

Additionally, some in-terminal services located within airports, such as banking services, may not be fully operational on Christmas Eve. It's a good idea to plan ahead and be prepared for any potential disruptions to your usual travel routine.

Overall, Christmas Eve is a strategic choice for travellers who want to take advantage of less crowded airports and cheaper airfare. With some advance planning and flexibility, you can make the most of this opportunity and enjoy a smoother travel experience during the busy holiday season.

The weekend before Christmas is the busiest

Airports are expected to be busy during the 2024 holiday season, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipating screening nearly 40 million travellers at airport security checkpoints. This is a more than 6% increase from 2023. According to the airfare-tracking site Hopper, 32.5 million seats are scheduled to depart from US airports between 23 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.

The days with the highest passenger volumes are expected to be Friday, 20 December; Friday, 27 December; and Monday, 30 December. The weekend before Christmas, from Friday, 20 December, to Sunday, 22 December, is predicted to be the busiest travel period. It is advised that travellers avoid these dates if they want to skip the worst of the crowds.

The bulk of travel is expected to take place between 23 December and 1 January, with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve offering the least crowded flights. The days with the lowest number of travellers are expected to be Christmas Day, 25 December, and New Year's Day, 1 January.

If you are flying during the busy weekend before Christmas, it is recommended that you book the first flight of the day. Generally, flights departing after 9 am are twice as likely to be delayed as departures scheduled between 5 am and 8 am. Mornings are expected to be the busiest time at airports, with the highest volume of seats scheduled to depart between 8 am and 12 pm in most major cities.

To avoid long queues at airport security, remember to leave gifts unwrapped. While gifts are okay, it is recommended that they be placed in gift bags or boxes with tissue paper. This way, if the item triggers an alarm, security officers can easily resolve the issue without unwrapping the gift.

The worst days for flight disruptions are the two days after Christmas

Christmas is one of the busiest times to fly, and in 2024, airports are expected to be even busier than in previous years. According to the TSA, nearly 40 million travellers will pass through airport security checkpoints between 19 December 2024 and 2 January 2025, a 6% increase from the previous year.

The period between 23 December and 1 January is predicted to be the busiest, with 32.5 million seats scheduled to depart from US airports. The highest passenger volumes are expected on 20 December, 27 December, and 30 December.

The two days after Christmas are particularly notorious for flight disruptions, with a rate almost twice as high as that of Christmas Day, according to Hayley Berg, the lead economist at Hopper. This is likely due to a combination of additional flights and winter weather conditions, which can cause travel disruptions.

To avoid flight disruptions, it is generally recommended to book early morning flights, as flights departing after 9 am are twice as likely to be delayed. Choosing to fly on the holiday itself, such as Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, can also help you avoid the crowds and potentially save money.

If you're looking to reduce the risk of flight delays or cancellations, it's best to avoid travelling on the two days after Christmas and consider booking an early morning flight instead.

Airports in countries that celebrate Christmas will be quiet, some closed

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for airports, but Christmas Day itself is usually quieter than usual. In countries that celebrate Christmas, airports will be quieter, and some may be closed altogether.

While it may be a good idea to arrive at the airport early on the days leading up to Christmas, this is not necessary on December 25th. In fact, flying on Christmas Day is a good way to avoid crowds and find cheaper flights. However, public transport, taxis, and rental car services may be reduced on Christmas Day, so it is worth checking these in advance.

If you are flying from a country that does not celebrate Christmas, it is worth noting that the days before December 25th will be extra busy. In general, the weekend before Christmas is when most people will be heading to their holiday destinations, so it is best to avoid flying from Friday to Sunday if possible. The day after Christmas will also be busy, with 31% more people flying than on Christmas Day in 2023.

Overall, if you are flying from a country that celebrates Christmas, you can expect the airport to be quieter on December 25th, and possibly even closed.

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