WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Nicole Lindsay thought she could beat the holiday-week travel rush by booking an early-morning flight. It didn’t work out that way.
“I thought it wouldn’t be that busy, but it turned out to be quite busy,” the Baltimore resident said as she herded her three daughters through Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. “It was a lot of kids on the flight, so it was kind of noisy — a lot of crying babies.”
Lindsay said the flight was full, but her family arrived safely to spend a few days in Port Saint Lucie, so she was not complaining.
Airlines hope the outcome is just as good for millions of other passengers scheduled to take holiday flights over the next few days.
AAA forecasts that 70.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home over a nine-day stretch that began June 27, a 5% increase over the comparable period around the Fourth of July last year. Most of those people will drive, and the motor club says traffic will be the worst between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. most days.
Federal officials expect air-travel records to fall as Americans turn the timing of July Fourth on a Thursday into a four-day — or longer — holiday weekend.
The Transportation Security Administration predicts that its officers will screen more than 3 million travelers at U.S. airports on Sunday. That would top the June 23 mark of more than 2.99 million. American Airlines said Sunday is expected to be its busiest day of the entire summer; it plans more than 6,500 flights.
TSA was created after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and replaced a collection of private security companies that were hired by airlines. Eight of the 10 busiest days in TSA’s history have come this year, as the number of travelers tops pre-pandemic levels.
The head of the agency, David Pekoske, said Wednesday that TSA has enough screeners to handle the expected crowds this weekend and through the summer.
“We have been totally tested over the course of the last couple of months in being able to meet our wait-time standards of 10 minutes for a PreCheck passenger and 30 minutes for a standard passenger, so we are ready,” Pekoske said on NBC’s “Today” show.
Peggy Grundstrom, a frequent traveler from Massachusetts who flew to Florida to visit her daughter and granddaughter, said the line for security in Hartford, Connecticut, was unusually long.
“It was busier than I have personally seen in the past,” Grundstrom said. “But, you know, I prefer to fly unless it’s very local. I’m at a stage where I don’t want to travel in a car for long periods of time.”
Passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Amsterdam on Wednesday had to put their travel plans on hold for several hours when the plane landed in New York because spoiled meals were served in the main cabin shortly after takeoff.
Delta apologized to passengers “for the inconvenience and delay in their travels.”
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Koenig reported from Dallas.
As the July 4th weekend approaches, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for what is expected to be a busy travel period. With many Americans eager to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family, airports across the country are anticipating a surge in passenger numbers.
According to TSA officials, the agency is preparing for a high volume of travelers during the holiday weekend. In anticipation of the increased traffic, TSA is implementing several measures to ensure that the screening process runs smoothly and efficiently.
One of the key strategies that TSA is employing is increasing staffing levels at airports across the country. By adding more security officers and support staff, TSA aims to minimize wait times and ensure that passengers can move through security checkpoints quickly.
In addition to increasing staffing levels, TSA is also encouraging travelers to enroll in programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. These programs allow pre-approved travelers to enjoy expedited screening processes, including shorter wait times and reduced security requirements.
TSA is also reminding passengers to be prepared for the screening process by following the agency’s guidelines for packing carry-on bags. This includes removing laptops and liquids from bags, as well as being aware of any prohibited items that may need to be discarded or placed in checked luggage.
Furthermore, TSA is advising travelers to arrive at the airport early to allow ample time for check-in and security screening. With the potential for long lines and delays, arriving at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight is recommended.
Overall, TSA is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all travelers during the July 4th weekend. By implementing these measures and providing guidance to passengers, TSA aims to make the travel experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone celebrating Independence Day.
