The Christmas holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, especially when travel restrictions due to the pandemic are already lifted and people are just itching to visit and be with relatives and friends or simply travel and have a vacation.
The year 2022 is expected to be the 3rd busiest year for holiday travel, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), since they began tracking in 2000.
The motor club's 2022 Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast stated that about 112.7 million people would travel 50 miles or more away from their homes during the holiday season, which is from December 23 to January 2. This is an increase of 3.6 million people who traveled last year and near to the pre-pandemic numbers.
"This year, travel time will be extended due to Christmas Day and New Year's Day falling on Sundays. With hybrid work schedules, we are seeing more people take long weekends to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and be more flexible with the days they depart and return," senior vice president of travel for Washington-based AAA, Paula Twidale, shared.
Busiest and lightest days in the airport
Hopper, a company that monitors airfares, forecasted that more than 54 million people would be traveling through the U.S. airports for the holidays, with close to 29 million traveling on Christmas week alone.
According to Hopper's Christmas 2022 Holiday Outlook, compared to this year, airlines have sold 20 percent more and 4 percent more tickets from 2021 and 2019, respectively. About 54 million plane seats are sold between December 18 and January 3. An anticipated 3 million or more travelers nationwide will be in and out of the airports from the said dates.
It further stated that air travel is expected to be at its height on the days immediately before the eve of Christmas and New Year and the day after these holidays. On the other hand, the lightest travel dates will be Christmas eve, Christmas day, and New Year's Day.
In a forecast released last December 12, American Airlines announced that they have 91,715 scheduled flights worldwide from December 16 to January 2 to meet the holiday travel demand. The airline expects December 16 and 22 to be the busiest travel days, with departures of more than 5,500 each.
Thus, families and parents are highly encouraged to leave early before the flight's scheduled departure to ensure enough time. Arrive at the airport 2 hours and 3 hours before for domestic and international flights, respectively.
Other essential information
Moreover, they are reminded to download their airline's app before the travel date and make sure to enable notifications to get real-time flight status updates.
This is crucial because if the flight is canceled, one can quickly utilize the app to search flight options and rebook oneself. This will be much better and time and effort-saving than rushing to the airline customer service desk and waiting in a long line or calling the airline's customer service number and waiting endlessly to speak to a customer service representative, AZ Central emphasized.
In cancellations requiring an overnight stay and aren't weather-related, know that the airline can provide reasonable hotel and food accommodations.
As to what the family can take through security, parents and caregivers are reminded that all liquid and gel quantities greater than 3 ounces can fly in carry-on bags. Samples are perfume and facial cleansers, jams and jellies, oils and vinegar, sauces and dressings, hummus, ice cream, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages.
Items like pies, cakes, and solid cheeses can fly in carry-on bags, but still for approval of the Transportation Security Administration screener. Thus, it is suggested that items be packed in their checked-in luggage when in doubt.
And for this Christmas season especially, travelers are advised not to bring wrapped gifts in carry-on and checked-in luggage. Wrapped Christmas gifts are not prohibited. However, these can be opened for further inspection in case anything raises a red flag with the screener.
