Jazmin Li
The Fourth of July is a busy time for travel, with many Americans taking extended trips to celebrate Independence Day. Airports are particularly crowded in the days leading up to the holiday, with the Friday before typically being the busiest day for air travel. However, the Fourth of July itself tends to be the least crowded day to fly, with airport crowds averaging around 70% of the busiest travel day. This year, with the holiday falling on a Thursday, a large number of travelers are expected to turn the entire week into a vacation, resulting in busy airports throughout the week.
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What You'll Learn
Airports are busiest the Friday before July 4th
Airports are usually at their busiest the Friday before July 4th. This is the case for the days leading up to the 2024 holiday, with the Friday before (June 28) expected to be one of the busiest days ever at US airports.
In 2023, the Friday before July 4th (June 30) was the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. A record-breaking 2.8 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints.
Data from 2019 also shows that the Friday before July 4th was the most crowded day at the airports. The same data set shows that July 4th itself was the least busy day to fly.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to avoid travelling on the Friday before July 4th and the Sunday after.
For those looking to get away on July 4th, there is good news. The holiday is usually the least busy day to fly. A morning flight will improve your chances of catching the fireworks at your destination and is less likely to be delayed.
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The Sunday after July 4th is the busiest day to fly post-holiday
The Sunday after the Fourth of July is the busiest day to fly post-holiday. This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday, and travel patterns indicate that most people will be crowding airports on Sunday, July 7.
In fact, American Airlines notes that July 7 will be its busiest travel day of the entire summer, with 6,500 flights expected. This is a pattern that has been observed in previous years as well. In 2019, the Sunday after the Fourth of July was the most crowded day at airports, with Monday, July 8, following closely behind.
The Friday before the Fourth of July is also a busy day at airports, with travellers rushing to their holiday destinations. In 2023, the Friday before the Fourth of July (June 30) was a single-day record, with 2.8 million passengers passing through TSA checkpoints.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to fly on the Fourth of July itself, as it is usually the least busy day to fly. Alternatively, you could consider flying on the Saturday before the Fourth, as this could be a lighter travel day.
This year, the Fourth of July is expected to be the busiest ever, with over 70 million Americans travelling at least 50 miles for the Independence Day rush. Airports like LAX (Los Angeles), SFO (San Francisco), JFK (New York), BOS (Boston), and EWR (Newark) are expected to experience high volumes of travellers.
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The least busy day to fly is July 4th
Although the Fourth of July is a busy time for travel, with many people taking extended trips around Independence Day, the holiday itself is usually the least busy day to fly. In fact, in 2019, airport crowds on July 4th averaged just 70% of the busiest travel day, which was the Friday before.
This is because, by the time the Fourth of July weekend arrives, most people are already at their destinations. So, if you're looking for lighter crowds and better flight deals, travelling on the holiday itself is a good option.
In fact, according to Hopper's spring 2023 Flight Disruption Outlook, early morning flights on the Fourth of July are half as likely to be delayed as flights departing after 9 am. Plus, a morning flight means you're more likely to catch any fireworks displays at your destination.
However, it's worth noting that some airports do expect high volumes of travellers over the holiday weekend, including LAX (Los Angeles), SFO (San Francisco), JFK (New York), BOS (Boston), and EWR (Newark). And, with more than 70 million Americans travelling during the Independence Day rush, you can still expect busy airports, even on the Fourth of July.
So, if you're planning to fly on the holiday, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to navigate any crowds and arrive at your gate with time to spare.
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Tips to get through the airport quickly on a busy day
While airports are busy on July 4th, they are typically less busy than the Friday before July 4th, which is the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. The Sunday after July 4th is also a busy day at the airports.
- Dress smartly and comfortably. Wear jackets or hoodies that can be easily removed, and footwear that can be easily slipped off.
- Have all your documents, including your itinerary, ready and easily accessible on your mobile device. Some apps, like Apple Wallet, can store your boarding passes.
- Purchase your plane ticket in advance and print your boarding pass at home if possible.
- Make your bag easily identifiable by tying a ribbon or scarf to it, or using a colourful/unique bag.
- Pack prohibited items like large bottles of liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage.
- Understand the security process and be prepared for lines and checkpoints.
- Pick the fastest-moving line—a line of organized business travelers will move faster than a group of families with young children.
- Utilize fast-track services like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear to expedite the airport process.
- If you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you don't need to remove your shoes or take out liquids or laptops when going through security.
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Airports with the highest volume of travellers over the July 4th weekend
While it is challenging to determine which airports will have the highest volume of travellers over the July 4th weekend, we can look at historical data to determine which days are the busiest for air travel during this period.
According to historical data, the Friday before July 4th is consistently the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. In 2023, this was the busiest travel day, with airport crowds on July 4th averaging just 70% of what they were on that Friday. The Sunday after July 4th is also consistently ranked as the busiest day for post-holiday travel.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to avoid travelling on these days. Shifting your trip by just one day can make a significant difference, potentially taking you from one of the busiest to one of the lightest travel days of the July 4th period. Typically, July 4th itself is the least busy day to fly, with Tuesday being another good option if you want to avoid crowds.
While specific airports with the highest volume of travellers are not available, it is safe to assume that major airports in popular holiday destinations will be busy. Airports in large metro areas will also experience high passenger traffic, with travellers leaving town on the Wednesday before July 4th and returning on the Sunday after, causing significant delays.
This year, the TSA expects Friday, July 5th, to be extremely busy, anticipating that they will screen more than 3 million individuals. With the potential for record-breaking travel numbers, those travelling around the July 4th weekend should expect busy airports, packed roads, and crowded train stations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, July 4th is a busy time at airports, with many Americans taking extended trips around Independence Day. However, July 4th itself is usually the least busy day to fly over the holiday period.
The Friday before July 4th is typically the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. The Sunday after the holiday is the busiest day for post-holiday travel.
To avoid crowds, it is best to avoid flying on the Friday before and the Sunday after July 4th. If you don't mind travelling on the holiday itself, July 4th is usually the least busy day to fly. Early morning flights on July 4th are less likely to be delayed and improve your chances of catching fireworks at your destination.
Airports in metro areas such as LAX (Los Angeles), SFO (San Francisco), JFK (New York), BOS (Boston), and EWR (Newark) typically experience high volumes of travellers during the July 4th weekend.
Due to high travel demand, there may be disruptions and delays. It is recommended to be prepared for cancellations and have alternative plans, such as driving to your destination if possible. Additionally, be mindful of prohibited items when packing to avoid delays during security checks.
