busiest travel days of year

These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

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The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

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The Busiest Days to Fly During the Winter Holidays

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Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn’t necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily. The two days after Christmas also see heavy travel. And since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, that might mean an abnormally busy Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

To avoid crowds and save money, consider skipping the busy days and book your flights on one of the slower ones. Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize to avoid crowds and save money.

» Learn more: Popular airline cards used to book holiday travel

The busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. Last year, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day, according to TSA data, making it the busiest travel day of 2022.

That same Sunday was also the year’s single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days of the year for air travel were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here’s a look at the days surrounding Thanksgiving week over the past four years, ranked in order of most to fewest air travelers at the TSA’s U.S. checkpoints:

Assuming past trends continue in 2023, expect Sunday, Nov. 26, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving , followed by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 25, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger based on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records. For example, 2023’s Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel. More than 2.884 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday before July 4, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019, when a recorded 2.882 million people passed through TSA checkpoints.

The busiest days to fly around Christmas

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year and air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular . And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at Christmas and the seven calendar dates before and after over the past four years, ranked by most to fewest average air travelers, based on TSA checkpoint data:

This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and — especially during Christmas week — many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

According to Chase Travel, Friday, Dec. 22, is one of the top three busiest days across all flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024 (the other two busiest days are Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30). Similarly, booking site Hopper anticipates that day having the highest fare for the Christmas season.

This holiday travel season may see some relief, though. Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, can sometimes align closely with Christmas. The eight-day celebration ran from Dec. 18-26 in 2022, but this year will commence on Dec. 15 — likely before the Christmas crowds start.

Another consideration for travel is that the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

How to choose less crowded (and cheaper) travel days

The holiday travel season is always expensive, but there is some decrease from last year's prices. Airfares for Christmas trips are averaging $400 according to Hopper data. That’s down 12%, or about $52 per ticket, from last year. The bad news is that it's still 29% higher than holiday airfares were in 2019.

Travel on the holiday: Traveling on the holiday is often the best way to avoid crowds and save money. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas versus Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

And that demand has a strong effect on prices. According to Hopper, domestic flights on Christmas Day average about 26% less than peak prices.

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Book morning flights: If you are traveling on the holiday, catch the first flight out for the day and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay . In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Stay longer: If you can take the days off or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

For Thanksgiving, Hopper recommends flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day to fly, so extending your trip by just one day can save you money. According to Hopper, airfares average 40% less on the Monday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday after.

For Christmas, Hopper recommends departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday.

Skip holiday travel completely: If you don’t mind celebrating in an unconventional way, consider participating in something like an un-holiday, where you shift the celebration by a couple of days or weeks.

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These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

2023 has been a record-setting year for air travel, and there's no reason to think the end-of-year holidays will be any different.

After logging its busiest summer ever at U.S. airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration saw more passengers on Nov. 26 — the Sunday after Thanksgiving — than on any day in its 22-year history.

And the crowds are just getting started.

AAA expects 7.5 million Americans will fly over the 10-day Christmas and New Year's holiday period. That's a number larger than both last year's holiday airport crowds and those seen in 2019.

At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement last month.

It was a prediction that the Thanksgiving rush confirmed, and one that tracked with the crowds seen all year. Seven of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come in 2023. The 2.9 million air travelers seen on Nov. 26 beat out the previous record from June 30, set by Fourth of July weekend travelers.

Suffice it to say, if you're traveling for a December holiday, it's a good time to make sure that your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear membership is active. Also, make sure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your flight reservation.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how airlines perform following 2022's headaches, most notably the Southwest Airlines December meltdown . That meltdown was an operational disaster the airline says it will avoid this year thanks to a host of changes.

Fortunately, airlines are off to a good start with this year's holiday season. Between Nov. 19 and 26, during peak the peak Thanksgiving period, U.S. based carriers canceled a collective 0.2% of flights, according to FlightAware data analyzed by TPG. That was down slightly from a similarly impressive 0.3% cancellation rate during the equivalent period last year. The rate of delays among those carriers hovered at a consistent 17% from last Thanksgiving.

However, travelers have learned all too well the last couple of years that the end-of-year holiday season can bring a plethora of potential roadblocks, including the possibility of bad weather and the lingering threat of air traffic control-related disruptions.

"Mother Nature is always the x-factor," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged at a news conference last month.

Busiest days to travel at Christmas and New Year's

The TSA anticipates heavy volume throughout the Christmas and New Year's holiday period. However, it may likely come in the form of sustained crowds, as opposed to any single, record-setting days. (In recent years, the busiest day of the year has typically been the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it was this year.)

Exactly which days will be the busiest days to fly this month? It's a little harder to predict the end-of-year holidays, which fall on a different day of the week each year. Also, recent years have held no shortage of abnormalities, from last December's bad weather and Southwest meltdown to COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge disrupting travel in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data:

• Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday)
• Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday)
• Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day)

This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy leading into the weekends prior to the two holidays, particularly Christmas.

Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers, says the busiest days will be:

• Thursday, Dec. 21
• Friday, Dec. 22
• Tuesday, Dec. 26
• Wednesday, Dec. 27
• Thursday, Dec. 28
• Friday, Dec. 29

On the other hand, if you can find a way to travel on Christmas Day, you may find ultra-light crowds — if Thanksgiving was any indication, at least. Thanksgiving Day was the second least crowded day of 2023 at U.S. airports, according to TSA data. Likewise, Airlines for America projects Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be similarly uncrowded.

What about driving?

As usual, even more Americans will drive than fly for the holidays, although the share of air travelers is up from recent years.

More than 103 million U.S. travelers will take year-end holiday road trips during the 10 days around the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA. That's up nearly 2% from last year.

There's some good news for drivers, too. The national average for a gallon of regular gas currently sits at $3.15, down slightly from this time last year.

That's despite airlines battling cost pressures from jet fuel prices in recent months.

Still, if you are driving for Christmas or New Year's, be sure to pay at the pump with a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at gas stations . Consider stacking those bonus points with gas rewards programs and other ways to save on gas.

Bottom line

The holiday season is already off to a busy start, and that trend will likely continue this month with Christmas and New Year's travel. With those airport crowds in mind, it's a good time to double-check that you booked your flight and all other trip elements with a credit card that includes travel insurance protections.

As you travel, don't forget to take advantage of those airline fee credits on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express . Also, don't forget to use an airline credit card for credits on checked bags or travel. This is where you can really offset that annual fee.

Download the MyTSA app so you can check security checkpoint wait times and read up on your rights as an air traveler in the event something goes wrong — including when you're owed a refund.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Today's the busiest day for flying in years: Here's how many people are expected to fly

It’s the busiest day for air travel in years.

According to aviation analytics company Cirium , 22,759 flights are scheduled to depart in the U.S. Friday, with more than 2.96 million seats between them. The firm’s data shows that’s the most scheduled flying since before the pandemic slowdown in March and April 2020.

And the summer is only expected to get busier in the air. Cirium forecasts that more than 3 million seats will be flown in the U.S. on June 5 for the first time since Aug. 19, 2020. 

Air traffic for this summer is expected to peak on July 21, when 23,481 domestic U.S. domestic flights are scheduled in the U.S., with 3.08 million seats, according to Cirium.

Cruising Altitude: Here's what United Airlines' former CEO told me about flying coach

Industry watchers and travelers should not be surprised by these numbers.

When reporting their first quarter earnings , airline executives all telegraphed strong booking demand through the summer and well into the fall, especially for long-haul international flights and those to leisure destinations.

Travelers have lamented high airfares on social media, but as executives pointed out, demand has remained strong, especially for premium leisure travel, so many passengers seem undeterred. 

According to Deloitte’s 2023 Summer Travel Survey, more than a third of flyers this summer are heading to international destinations, especially Europe, which is seeing 8% more travel from the U.S. compared to last summer. Meanwhile, nearby tropical destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean are seeing a drop in demand this summer as travelers head farther afield.

How to prepare for summer travel

If you’re flying out today, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and make it to your gate. 

If you haven’t booked your summer travel yet, it’s a good idea to prepare for crowds and possible disruptions by giving yourself extra breathing room in your itinerary through longer connection times , and considering buying travel insurance in case something goes wrong. 

Tell us your story: Mobility device lost or damaged by an airline? USA TODAY wants to hear about it.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

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TSA Records the Busiest Day in Its History With Nearly 3 Million Travelers

On Sunday the TSA screened a record-breaking number of travelers.

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More than 2.9 million travelers passed through airports across the United States on Sunday, breaking the Transportation Security Administration’s record for the most travelers in a single day. 

The agency screened a total of 2,907,378 travelers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to the TSA’s data . That contributed to the more than 14.6 million travelers who passed through U.S. airports from Tuesday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 26.

Agency spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said the traffic was a 10.1 percent increase from the same Sunday last year when more than 2.6 million travelers were screened.

“If you thought your airport was crowded [Sunday], not only was it crowded, but it was the busiest day ever at security checkpoints in the history of @TSA,” Farbstein wrote on X .

The record-breaking numbers come as the TSA predicted the busiest holiday season ever — which tends to mean slower security lines and frustrated passengers.

But as travelers continue into the busy winter holidays, the agency’s tips still hold true: arrive at the airport early, pack your patience, and be aware of what you can and can’t bring through security checkpoints by checking the “What Can I Bring?” page on the TSA’s website or asking the agency by either texting a question to 275-872 or messaging the agency with the @AskTSA handle on X or through Facebook Messenger.

Prior to the holiday, major U.S. airlines similarly predicted a record-setting Thanksgiving , which also held true. American Airlines, for example, said nearly 6.5 million customers flew with the carrier over the Thanksgiving holiday, the “highest-ever load factor for these dates.”

”Millions of customers were counting on us to connect them with their families, friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving — and we delivered,” David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. “The trust our customers place in us every day, but especially during the holidays, is something we don’t take for granted, and I could not be prouder of the team for delivering a safe, reliable and successful operation this Thanksgiving. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the December holidays."

Related Articles

These Are the Busiest Days for Holiday Travel This Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year—well, everywhere but at the airport.

Chaotic holiday travel is rapidly descending upon us, and if the record-breaking 26 million travelers that took to the sky during Thanksgiving week this year are any indication, it's time to calculate a game plan for navigating airport terminals, securing your overhead bin space , and getting through the crush of humanity in the security line. The best way to do that? Know the busiest travel days in advance.

While some holiday travel patterns can be quite consistent, some of this year's peak travel days have shifted, given that December 25 falls on a Wednesday.

No matter what days you plan to fly during the holiday rush, follow the standard advice of arriving at the airport earlier than usual (at least two hours before departure for a domestic flight, especially if you are checking bags). Another way to streamline your holiday airport experience: remove any food from carry-ons along with standard items like toiletries and laptops to help the Travel Security Administration officers get a clearer look at your bag, which will keep you moving to the gate faster.

And of course, enrolling in known traveler programs like TSA PreCheck or Clear is especially valuable during the peak holiday season, as you'll be able to take fewer items out of your bag and zoom by some of the worst security wait times. (P.S., Clear doesn't require an appointment like TSA PreCheck, so you can breeze through enrollment in about five minutes at the airport.)

Here are all the days to avoid travel, some key statistics, and the best days to avoid airport pandemonium and keep your holiday cheer in tact.

The busiest days for Christmas air travel

Unsurprisingly, passenger records continue to be broken during Christmas travel, the TSA says. The agency estimated last year that during the peak Christmas and New Year's travel days (between December 19 and January 5 for 2018), about 41 million passengers traveled through security screening checkpoints nationwide, a year-over-year increase of 6 percent.

In 2019, that number is set to jump another 3 percent year-over-year, according to industry group Airlines for America . The organization predicts that 47.5 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines over the 18-day winter holiday travel period from December 19 through January 5. Divided into daily averages, about 2.2 million to 3 million passengers will fly each day over the holiday window, or an extra 72,000 travelers per day. Fortunately, U.S. airlines are meeting the increased demand with 884 added flights each day.

It seems that this year, most air passengers want to take a long Christmas and New Year's break, with the large majority of people expected to fly the Saturday before Christmas. Kayak, AAA, and Expedia all expect Saturday, December 21, to be the busiest travel day leading up to Christmas. Likewise, Airlines for America says December 20 and 21 will be the most popular days for travelers to start their Christmas trips. The estimates vary a bit on what the second most popular day before Christmas will be. Kayak says that Friday, December 20, will be the second largest wave of travelers leading up to the 25th—about 24,797 flights are scheduled to take off across the U.S. that day, according to aviation data firm OAG—while AAA predicts December 22 and 23 will see more fliers en masse.

As for return flights after New Year's? TripAdvisor says 44 percent of travelers are heading home Wednesday, December 30 or later. Expect the bulk of people to swarm the security lines and airport gates on Saturday, January 4, according to Kayak.

The busiest days for Christmas ground travel

TripAdvisor calculates that at least 46 percent of holiday travelers will drive to their Christmas destinations this year. "104.8 million Americans, the most on record, will drive to their holiday destinations," AAA says . "This marks the eighth straight year of new record-high travel volumes for the year-end holidays,” says Paula Twidale, vice president of AAA Travel.

The good news for drivers is that because Christmas falls in the middle of the week this year, AAA, along with traffic analytics company Inrix, predicts only "marginal" and even "lighter than normal" congestion on roads nationwide as travelers cruise to destinations before the holiday.

It's right after Christmas—on December 26 and 27—when drivers will be slammed with traffic and delays. "Nationally, drivers could experience double the travel times on Thursday and Friday afternoon, although New York City and Washington, D.C. could see triple the delays," the AAA report says. So if you are driving, it's probably best to wait until at least December 28 or later to start your journey back.

This story was originally published on November 2019, and has been updated with new information.

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Busiest Travel Day of Year: Americans Take to Roads, Rails, and Skies to Get Home for Thanksgiving

Good luck out there.

The pandemic travel lull is a thing of the past.

The U.S. is set to have one of its busiest travel days on record Wednesday as tens of millions of Americans trek through thunderstorms , snow, and heavy winds to reach their loved ones in time for Thanksgiving.

The Transportation Security Administration estimates that about 2.7 million people will pass through the country's airports on Wednesday, while Sunday will be even busier, with an estimated 2.9 million flyers.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a press release .

Wednesday alone will come close to matching the TSA's all-time record of nearly 2.9 million airline passengers in a single day, which was last set on Friday, June 30.

As for those hitting the road AAA anticipates that some 55.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles between Wednesday and Sunday, with the heaviest traffic congestion on Wednesday.

Here's what travelers should be prepared for, no matter their mode of transportation:

Fliers could face some sporadic delays in the Northeast as a large storm system moves off of the eastern seaboard Wednesday morning. In some areas, the heaviest rain and wind have already passed, but parts of the Southeast and New England could still see downpours that might cause slowdowns.

FlightAware's "MiseryMap" showed that between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, there were already eight cancellations and 160 delays, with most of them occurring in the NYC, Boston, and D.C. metropolitan areas.

One video showed hundreds of people winding through a TSA checkpoint at Reagan National Airport in D.C. at 6 a.m.

View post on Twitter

A Charlotte-based reporter showed similar lines forming at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina Wednesday morning.

At certain airports, it's not the volume of flyers but their familiarity with air travel that could cause headaches.

“It’s kind of a typical day here for us traffic-wise, except the difference is it’s leisure travel, not business travelers, so things take a little bit longer because not everyone is as comfortable with the process,” Scott Miller, the spokesperson for Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania told local station WHTM .

But some people said they were willing to brave the crowds after putting off holiday travel for years due to the pandemic.

"It's really hard traveling with a baby for Thanksgiving," Ariannah Todd, who was heading to San Francisco with her husband and nine-month-old baby, told Reuters . "I wouldn't recommend it but we're really excited to go see our family."

Amtrak said it would operate extended schedules across the northeast corridor during Thanksgiving week, with some lines adding additional seating as well.

The rail service said it expects to see some 750,000 travelers on Thanksgiving week. That's an increase of about 15%, compared to pre-pandemic levels, Amtrak said.

Amtrak is still trying to get back on track after a 200-passenger train derailed in Michigan last week, injuring 11 people.

Beth Toll, the senior public relations manager for Amtrak, told Harrisburg station WPMT that trains remain the most comfortable form of travel during the holidays.

“There’s no middle seat, you’ve got plenty of room to stretch out and relax, you don’t have to sit in any traffic which is a nice bonus,” Toll said.

Automobiles

The Thanksgiving traffic crush begins informally with Los Angeles news stations' annual chopper shots of the 405 Freeway, backed up for miles in a sea of white and red (though many Angelenos would question if it looks any different from, say, a typical Tuesday).

Over on the east coast, drivers could see delays along the I-95 corridor Wednesday morning as that storm system moved out to sea.

D.C.-based transit report Tom Roussey posted a clip of a "terrible evening rush-hour" along one stretch of 95 in Virginia Tuesday, as heavy rains mixed with heavy traffic to contribute to major slowdowns for holiday drivers.

The worst of the holiday rush will likely occur between 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, The Messenger previously reported . Early-morning travelers will likely encounter the fewest headaches, especially if they can reach their destination by 11 a.m., according to AAA.

One piece of good news for those getting behind the wheel Wednesday: gas prices. The average nationwide price for a gallon of gas was about $3.25 on Tuesday, per GasBuddy , making this the cheapest Thanksgiving for drivers since the bizarre pandemic holiday season of 2020.

Simple Flying

A 'peak' at the busiest & quietest days of the week to fly.

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• Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less busy for air travel due to fewer passengers mid-week.
• Weekends and holidays result in busier and more expensive flights, especially Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.
• Traveling early in the morning or late at night can provide a quieter experience, with fewer passengers familiar with airport routines.

Have you ever noticed the difference between flying during a regular weekday and a holiday weekend? Getting through airport check-in, security, and boarding becomes quite the breeze when there isn't chaos around, like during most holiday travels. Traveling in the middle of the week also means less crowded airports than during weekends. Simple Flying explores which time of the year is less busy for air travel, including days and times of the week.

Best days of the week

There isn't a definitive answer to which day of the week is the quietest. It is worth doing some research into the airport from which you are flying. However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less busy. This is because you have to take more days off work to fly mid-week, which people are usually reluctant to do. Midweek fares are also often cheaper than weekends.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

In contrast, traveling near or on weekends is typically more expensive and busier. Leisure travelers looking to enjoy a weekend away tend to go on Friday and Monday. At the same time, passengers who commute every week for work also travel on Monday and Friday to return home for the weekend. As such, Sundays can be busy as business travelers try to get a head start on the week ahead.

Similarly, people traveling for extended vacations tend to travel during the weekend to maximize holiday time. Friday nights and Saturday mornings can see some airports busier than ever, so traveling before 4 pm on Fridays could be better. Weekend flights are more in demand and subsequently more expensive.

JetBlue Introduces A New Peak And Off-Peak Baggage Fee System

The carrier will now offer different fees based on the date.

The exception to the rule

There is one big exception to the rule: package holiday companies. For some tourist destinations, a large percentage of flights are operated by or in partnership with package holiday companies. In these cases, if you aren’t traveling with one of these companies, the quietest day is just any day, not a changeover day.

The airline industry is always full of new developments! What aviation news will you check out next?

Generally, there is a standardized changeover day (or days) when holiday companies carry vast numbers of passengers over two days. Typically, this is the weekend, but the changeover day can be mid-week if they want to allow passengers a whole weekend at the destination. If the changeover day is a Tuesday, this will become the busiest day, while the weekend might become quiet.

Best time of the day

As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. Getting up early is your best option if you can’t fly on one of the quieter days. If the flight leaves before 8 AM, meaning you must arrive around 5-6 AM, you should be in for a quiet time. Fewer people prefer to travel that early.

However, not everyone can function that early. If you’re a night owl, flying late is also a good option. It may be busier than morning, as many people who fly for business will fly overnight to arrive in time for meetings the next day. So, while you will have to deal with more travelers, they are more likely to be frequent flyers familiar with the airport routine, reducing congestion.

Worst times of the year to fly

Holidays and peak travel seasons call for hiked airfares, crowded airports, and travel congestion. During those times, not only is air travel more costly and inconvenient, but passengers do not get the type of service they pay for. Upgraded Points show some of the worst travel times of the year for air travel in the United States and when the fares are generally hiked during the time period.

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The bottom line

A quick cheat sheet on the quietest times to fly is:

• Off-peak time of the year (February to April and September to November)
• Mid-week (Tuesday and Wednesday)
• Early morning (12 AM to 6 AM)

Traveling during off-peak times will generally ensure lower fares, less crowded airports, relatively convenient travel, and greater chances of receiving the promised services. Air travel over a holiday period or during a major event typically results in overcrowded airports at most times. Regarding the day of the week, traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday will mean avoiding the highest fares and the busiest times. Moreover, an early morning flight will reduce the chance of queueing for hours.

Do you have any tips or tricks for a smooth airport experience? When do you prefer to fly? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

US airports see their busiest travel day ever in runup to Memorial Day

Most records for tsa’s top-highest volume days are set in july. a survey from aaa found more americans plan to take a vacation over the summer than during any other season. popular destinations are beaches, major cities and national parks..

A look at what travelers should watch out for when flying the friendly skies for Memorial Day

Around 44 million Americans will travel either on the ground or via air for the Memorial Day weekend. Aviation expert Kathleen Bangs breaks down what to expect during the busy travel period.

A record 2.95 million people passed through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints on Friday, during Memorial Day weekend, setting a new U.S. record for the most screenings in a single day.

The TSA reported that five of the top ten all-time travel days occurred around the Memorial Day weekend, leaving just two dates on the big board associated with either Christmas or Thanksgiving Day travel .

Airports around the country reported beating their previous records, including Atlanta ’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport, which reported 111,000 people passed through security checkpoints, beating the greatest count set during Super Bowl LIII in 2019.

"Holiday travel periods are always somewhat hectic, but our officers remain focused on their mission, and they continue to do so in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure that travelers get to their destinations safely," Robin Burke, TSA director at Richmond International Airport, said in a statement.

WHAT ARE THE BUSIEST TRAVEL DAYS OF THE YEAR

The country’s previous busiest travel date was the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2023, with an estimated 2,908,785 screenings.

A survey from AAA  found more Americans plan to take a vacation over the summer than during any other season in 2024.

Popular destinations include beaches, national parks and international cities.

A record 4.7 billion people are expected to travel around the world in 2024, but many of the busiest days are expected to fall outside of what is traditionally considered the winter holiday travel season.

HOW THUNDERSTORMS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY CAN WREAK HAVOC ON AIR TRAVEL

The TSA recommends passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours prior to any international excursions.

In March, the agency announced the expansion of its PreCheck program , which allows select fliers to use its expedited screening process at more than 200 airports.

Security officials estimate 99% of passengers enrolled in the PreCheck program wait less than 10 minutes at airport checkpoints.

"The most important things that travelers can do is to get to the airport early and come prepared to go through the checkpoint screening process," Burke stated.

• Weekend Watch

Memorial Day weekend travel: The busiest days to fly and drive

AAA data predicts 3.51 million people will take to the skies for the holiday.

A record-breaking number of travelers are expected to hit the road and take to the skies this Memorial Day weekend.

Thursday even marked the Transportation Security Administration's second-busiest day in history, with 2,887,605 people traveling through airports.

Whether you're headed to the beach or to check out a new city, here's what you need to know:

The skies: The busiest days to fly

AAA data predicts 3.51 million people will travel by plane over the holiday weekend. This is a 4.8% jump from last year and marks the busiest Memorial Day weekend at U.S. airports since 2005.

United Airlines forecasts 2024 will be its busiest Memorial Day weekend ever, with over 3 million passengers expected to fly between Thursday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 28. United said May 23 will be its most crowded day, with nearly 520,000 passengers.

Delta expects nearly 3 million customers to fly during the Memorial Day period, from May 23 to May 27. The airline said this is a 5% increase from last year.

MORE: Americans will need Real ID to travel in 2025: Here are the requirements

The busiest days to fly will be May 23, Friday, May 24, and Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 27, according to Hopper data.

The most packed airports are expected to be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, Hopper said.

According to AAA, the top domestic destinations are: Orlando, Florida; Seattle; New York City; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Denver; Anchorage, Alaska; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami; and Boston.

The roads: The best times to drive to avoid traffic

A record high of 38.4 million people are expected to travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. This is a 4% increase from last year.

Drivers heading out the door on May 23 or May 24 should leave before 11 a.m. or wait until the evening to avoid the worst traffic, according to transportation analytics company INRIX.

When you're driving home from vacation on May 26 or May 27, the worst time to be on the road is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., INRIX said.

The cities with the highest rental car demands are Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas, according to Hertz.

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The best and worst days to fly for labor day weekend, according to experts.

Summer travel season might be ending soon, but one of its busiest weekends is right around the corner.

Labor Day weekend is expected to be one of the busiest times to travel.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend saw a record-breaking number of travelers , with more than 3 million people passing through airport security, and the September holiday is predicted to see similar numbers.

Traveling on the not-so-popular days can save time, money, stress and allow for a smoother time at the airport.

A new NerdWallet analysis found the best and worst days to fly for Labor Day weekend by looking at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data.

The Friday before Labor Day has been the single busiest day for air travel over the past three years during the seven-day time period before and after Labor Day, including the holiday.

For the seven-day period starting on Labor Day and spanning the subsequent days, Labor Day Monday has been the busiest day over the past three years.

Here are the best and worst days to travel, based on an average of data from the past four years:

Least crowded days to travel, ranked from least to most crowded

Pre-holiday.

• Tuesday before (overall least crowded day pre-holiday)
• Wednesday before
• Saturday before

Post-holiday

• Saturday after (overall least crowded day post-holiday)
• Wednesday after
• Tuesday after

“Smarter, cheaper” Labor Day weekend travel itinerary

• Fly out on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Labor Day
• Travel on Saturday morning rather than Friday afternoon
• Fly home on Sunday, not Labor Day Monday

Most to least crowded days for the week surrounding Labor Day

• Friday before Labor Day (most crowded)
• Labor Day Monday
• Sunday after
• Thursday before
• Friday after
• Monday after
• Thursday after
• Monday before
• Sunday before
• Saturday after
• Tuesday before (least crowded)

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Last-minute summer travelers are finding the best deals in years

Held off on taking a summer vacation? You may still be able to squeeze in one on the cheap.

Record numbers of travelers have been flooding airports since the pandemic, but U.S. airlines now face a surplus of empty seats after racing to add capacity. Many are slashing prices to fill them, making bargain flights more readily available than they have been in years, travel agents and industry experts say.

“Deals are easier to find this summer since prices are already so low,” said Hayley Berg, lead economist at the travel booking site Hopper.

Flights overall were at least 5% cheaper as of June than the year before, government inflation data shows. Hopper estimated domestic airfares for August are down about 6% since a year ago, and it flagged supercheap domestic round-trip deals this month — like $69 for Chicago to Baltimore and $82 for New York to Nashville.

And it’s not just airfares — costs are cooling off for car rentals and hotel rooms too. They were down roughly 6% and 3% year over year, respectively, in the federal data and are now about flat in most cities on Priceline.

For clients with a little flexibility in their travel dates, I’ve been able to get very low airfare for last-minute trips.

Ashley D’Aristotile, owner of Flyaway Travel

The discounts expand the map for late-season travelers and coincide with a broader value push this summer . Restaurant chains from McDonald’s to P.F. Chang’s are dangling promotions to hang on to frugal customers. The gambit is largely working , with major retailers’ recent sales helping prop up consumer spending and the economy as a whole .

Vacation-planning procrastinators are having better luck this year.

On July 26, Debra Banton, 61, and her 26-year-old daughter Rachel booked a trip overseas departing in two weeks.

“We usually plan way in advance, never last minute,” said Banton, who lives in Charleston, South Carolina. But Rachel works full time while attending school, leaving little down time, and since she’s never been to Europe and is getting married next May, they figured now’s their best shot.

“With just four weeks’ planning time, I was able to secure the last few rooms at some fabulous resorts in Greece and get them a great deal on business-class air to Athens,” said Kimberly Hilliard, their Annapolis, Maryland-based travel adviser with Front Porch Travel.

While prices typically come down heading into the fall, the current end-of-summer season is a “unique window” for travelers who haven’t booked far in advance, said Jesse Neugarten, the CEO and founder of Dollar Flight Club.

The flight alert site said the average international airfare from the U.S. over the next three months is $401, and the average domestic flight costs $212 — collectively down an average of 29% from the same period a year ago.

“For clients with a little flexibility in their travel dates, I’ve been able to get very low airfare for last-minute trips,” said Ashley D’Aristotile, the owner of Orlando, Florida-based Flyaway Travel.

Lousson Smith, a flight expert at the travel site Going, agrees: “At this point in the summer, if you’re flexible, you can find something really nice under $150 nonstop from major markets, but anything under $200 this late in the game is a decent deal.”

While the costs of U.S. flights to Europe soared during the post-pandemic travel boom, Hopper estimates international airfares have fallen 9% since last summer. Round trips from Boston to Dublin, for example, have been going for as low as $415 this month, Hopper said, and there are $461 options between Chicago and Paris.

Domestically, the Southeast is seeing some of the best bargains, according to Priceline, with both Miami and Nashville making its “most affordable” list for August.

“For families who still have several weeks before school officially begins, you can take advantage of lower prices in some Southern states like Florida and Tennessee,” said Christina Bennett, a consumer travel expert at Priceline.

When it comes to accommodations, “markets and individual hotels will be looking to fill their rooms by offering last-minute deals and discounts,” said Jan Freitag, national director of hospitality analytics for CoStar Group, a real estate data firm.

“In general and on average, room rates are not up a whole lot,” and occupancy is down in some cities, he said. The average daily room rate in June was up just 1.5% year over year — lower than the overall inflation rate of 3% — and ticked down even further, to a 1.3% annual increase in the last week of July, CoStar data shows.

The availability seems unusual for this time of year … and many hotels are throwing in extras.

Chirag Panchal, founder of Ensuite Collection

But bargain hunters will need to be nimble, Freitag said: “A deal may be offered on Wednesday for that Saturday, so the question is: What is your appetite for booking ahead or booking last minute?”

Chirag Panchal, founder of the Dallas-based travel company Ensuite Collection, said that type of appetite has been strong lately.

“The availability seems unusual for this time of year, and I’ve been receiving a lot more last-minute travel requests than usual,” he said. “We’re seeing great availability in places like Colorado and New York City, and many hotels are throwing in extras such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, special amenities for kids and extra nights for free.”

If you’re ready to go and have a few destinations in mind, experts suggest signing up for one of the free fare-alert services offered by various travel platforms so you can act fast. Or use a tool like Google Flights to search for the cheapest destinations from your nearest airport. And while travel agents charge their own fees, many get access to reduced fares and packages that may not be available on booking sites.

But don’t worry if you can’t sneak in a summer vacation before August wraps. After all, the season doesn’t officially end until three weeks after Labor Day, and many travel promotions look set to continue.

“I’m finding quite a few locations offering discounted packages moving into September,” said Jennifer Byrne, CEO of the Tropical Travelers, an agency in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

Travel companies rein in their forecasts as US consumers cut spending

• Medium Text

• Lower-income earners delay vacations as savings dwindle, economic outlook uncertain
• Hilton, Marriott see minimal leisure travel growth; international revenue offsets U.S. demand
• Airbnb and Booking Holdings report slowing U.S. growth, last-minute bookings increase

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Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Additional reporting by Aiswarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Matthew Lewis

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DC Fire crew replicates drunk driving crash amid busy Labor Day travel season

Kate Ryan | [email protected]

August 15, 2024, 8:15 PM

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It’s a simple message: Don’t be a jerk, don’t drive under the influence … of anything.

To illustrate that, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicked off its “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ahead of Labor Day weekend — “one of the busiest and deadliest holiday travel times” due to intoxicated driving, the department said.

NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman joined D.C. Fire and EMS officials and people directly affected by alcohol-related crashes to talk about the need for everyone to avoid drinking and driving on Thursday morning.

“Driving while impaired, whether from alcohol or drugs, endangers you and everyone else on the road. Even one drink can affect your driving ability and, if you choose to drive, the consequences can be deadly,” Shulman said. “That’s why we’re reminding everyone to avoid the risk and always make sure you have a safe ride home, especially if you’re planning to celebrate during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.”

During the press event, D.C. Fire and EMS crews demonstrated what it takes to free an occupant from a wreck like many of the crashes they handle on D.C.-area roadways.

“We’ve replicated a drunk driving crash and you’ll see the emergency response after the vehicle crashed into the back of an ambulance,” the NHTSA said. “Let this be a reminder: drunk driving crashes are 100% preventable.”

Speakers also highlighted high death rates among inebriated drivers in the U.S. — NHTSA data from 2022 shows 32% of fatal traffic crashes involve impaired drivers.

WTOP’s Ivy Lyons contributed to this report.

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As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.

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TSA breaks record for most individuals screened on a single day, readies for record-breaking Independence Day weekend travel volumes

WASHINGTON — As airline passengers prepare to take to the skies this Independence Day holiday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for a sustained period of high passenger volumes. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million individuals from Thursday, June 27 through Monday, July 8, which is a 5.4% increase over 2023 Independence Day holiday travel volumes. On Sunday, June 23, TSA broke the record for most people screened on a single day, screening nearly 3 million (2.99 million) individuals . This summer’s record-breaking travel volumes reflect the role TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have in securing the nation’s transportation systems, while ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce, which is vital to our country’s economic well-being.

TSA anticipates the peak travel day will be Friday, June 28, when the agency expects to screen more than 3 million individuals. TSA is staffed to meet its wait time standards, which are 10 minutes and under in TSA PreCheck lanes and 30 minutes and under in standard screening lanes. Seven of the top 10 busiest travel days ever have occurred over the past month.

“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Compared to last year, we have cut our attrition rates by almost half and increased our recruiting as a result of the TSA Compensation Plan that was funded in the budget passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. The traveling public is on the move, which is a sign of a healthy economy. We are ready, along with our airline and airport partners, to handle this boost in passenger volumes.”

Airline passengers should be aware that security screening technologies may vary by airport. Although TSA follows strict standardized screening protocols, it is important for passengers to arrive early and listen to the guidance provided by Transportation Security Officers (TSOs).

Below are some frequently asked questions that provide an overview of the TSA technologies and procedures individuals may encounter during screening process.

Do I need to show a boarding pass to the TSA officer?

All airline passengers must have their acceptable ID and boarding pass ready at the security checkpoint entrance.

Do I need to take off my shoes?

TSA requires individuals in standard screening lanes to remove their shoes during the screening process. However, individuals 12 and under or 75 and older are always permitted to keep their shoes on during the security screening process.

Passengers with TSA PreCheck may leave their shoes on unless they alarm during screening. Most airports have dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes during some peak hours. Some airports have blended lanes where passengers with TSA PreCheck are screened in standard lanes, but they will receive a card indicating they have TSA PreCheck to carry with them during screening, and will be screened as a TSA PreCheck passenger.

Can family members go through the TSA PreCheck lane with me?

Teenagers aged 13-17 may accompany TSA PreCheck enrolled parents or guardians through screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen’s boarding pass. Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. This benefit is another reason to join the nearly 20 million people who have enrolled in TSA PreCheck. For customer flexibility, there are three TSA PreCheck enrollment providers from which passengers may choose: Telos, CLEAR and IDEMIA. For more information on any of the enrollment provider options and TSA PreCheck, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck .

Other advice from TSA

With more than 430 federalized, commercial airports nationwide, 685 security checkpoints and 2,412 security screening lanes, it may be challenging to know what to expect at any airport. Here are some additional tips to help ensure an efficient screening experience:

• Pack smart. Always start packing with a bag that is empty to ensure there are no prohibited items present during security screening. Place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids at the top of your carry-on so they can be easily accessible if they must be removed. Remember that all liquids must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if they are in your carry-on bag.
• Arrive at the airport two hours before scheduled boarding time. Allow ample time to park,  navigate to the terminal, check luggage with the airline if needed and proceed through the checkpoint. Most flights board 30-45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
• Review guidelines for traveling with children. Airlines may request proof of age documentation during check-in for children 12 and under traveling unaccompanied. Proof of age documentation must also be provided for children two and under planning to sit on an adult passenger’s lap. A birth certificate is an acceptable proof of age.
• Get assistance prior to traveling. Do you have a question about an item and whether or not it is allowed through security screening? Download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature to determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage. You may also snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Passengers may text their question to TSA by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872). Passengers who need additional assistance through security screening may request a TSA  Passenger Support Specialist (PSS). A PSS is a TSO who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities, medical conditions or those who need additional screening assistance. Individuals should request passenger assistance at least 72 hours in advance by contacting  our TSA Cares passenger support line  at (855) 787-2227. Live assistance for both the TCC and TSA Cares is available weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• Double-check your luggage tags. Many bags look alike, so passengers should tag every piece of checked luggage with their name and address. We also recommended they include additional addresses inside each bag in the event the outside tag falls off. When retrieving checked luggage at baggage claim, it is important that individuals check the tags to ensure they have picked up the correct bag.
• Do you carry a firearm? Prepare, pack and declare. Passengers may travel with a firearm , but it must be secured as the passenger’s checked baggage; packed unloaded; locked in a hard-sided case and declared to the airline when checking in at the airline ticket counter. Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport and in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. TSA does not confiscate or seize firearms. If a passenger brings a firearm to the security checkpoint on their person or in their carry-on luggage, the TSO will contact local law enforcement to safely unload and take possession of the firearm. Law enforcement may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law. TSA may impose a civil penalty up to almost $15,000, and for the first offense, passengers who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck® eligibility for five years. Second violations will result in permanent disqualification from the program and additional civil penalties.
• Do you have TSA PreCheck? Make sure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is in your airline reservation. TSA PreCheck passengers do not need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, food items and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. TSA’s wait time standards for TSA PreCheck lanes are under 10 minutes whereas as standard lanes are under 30 minutes. If you are not yet enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you may enroll via one of TSA’s authorized enrollment providers starting as low as $77.95 for a five-year membership. Most new enrollees receive their KTN within three to five days. Members may renew membership online up to six months prior to expiration for another five-year term starting as low as $68.95. Visit TSA PreCheck at www.tsa.gov/precheck for more information, and to begin your enrollment.
• Respect frontline aviation workers. Violence and unruly behavior in airports and onboard aircraft are not acceptable and will result in significant delays at security checkpoints. TSOs, along with all frontline airport and airline employees and local law enforcement, are working together to ensure safe and secure travel. Assaulting a TSA employee is a federal offense and will result in penalties and/or arrest.

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Time of use schemes to reduce travel times

The Government will introduce legislation this year to enable time of use schemes to be developed to reduce travel times on our busiest roads and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Congestion is a tax on time and productivity. It means that we are away from home for longer, sitting in gridlock. It results in fewer jobs being done, fewer goods being moved, and delays to services across the city.

“Faster, more reliable travel times will increase productivity, and lower costs for businesses and their customers. That is why we are enabling time of use schemes to be put in place.

“Time of use schemes will improve network efficiency to increase productivity and enable Kiwis and freight to get where they need to go quickly and safely. It is not about raising revenue.

“Enabling time of use schemes is a priority for our Government and a commitment under the National-ACT Coalition Agreement.”

Cabinet has agreed to a legislative framework focused on seven key components that will enable local councils to propose time of use schemes on their networks.

“Schemes will be focused on increasing productivity and improving the efficiency of traffic flow in our cities. Local councils will propose schemes in their region, with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) leading the design of the schemes in partnership with councils to provide strong oversight and to ensure motorists benefit from these schemes. All schemes will require approval from the Government.

“Time of use schemes will need to consider the impacts on motorists and businesses that use the roads that fall within the charging areas, as well as the impacts on the wider network.

“Any money collected through time of use charging will also be required to be invested back into transport infrastructure that benefits Kiwis and businesses living and working in the region where the money was raised. Councils will not be able to spend this money on other priorities or pet projects.”

Auckland has long been considered a leading candidate for a time of use charging scheme, and the Government will prioritise working with Auckland Council.

“Auckland is grappling with pressing productivity challenges that demand effective solutions. By enabling time of use schemes to be implemented, we are addressing these challenges head-on, providing our heavily congested city with faster and more reliable journeys.

“Our Government is committed to working with Auckland Council to deliver a time of use charging framework that will improve travel times and network efficiency for Aucklanders.

“Travel times per kilometre in Auckland are much higher than in comparable cities in Australia. Aucklanders are fed up with the gridlock that is plaguing our roads and making the city less accessible and productive.

“Allowing businesses and tradies to be able to do more trips per day will mean more productivity on our roading networks, and a boost to our economy.

“While time of use schemes will help manage congestion and increase productivity in our cities, it is not a standalone solution. That’s why the Government is continuing to prioritise new Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects to enable Kiwis and freight get to where they need to go, quickly and safely.”

The Government expects to introduce a bill to Parliament before the end of the year. The Bill will then go to select committee where New Zealanders can make a submission on the legislation.