The Biggest Air Travel Day in American History
Tonight, the nation’s airports faced their biggest test ever – the mad rush home from the holiday season leading to what’s predicted to be the biggest air travel day in American history. Nearly 3 million people are set to take to the skies today. Atlanta’s airports already saw 30,000 passengers before 9:00 a.m., while Los Angeles International Airport projected up to 230,000 travelers.
Challenges and Delays
Despite the daunting numbers, the airports seem to have handled the situation well. Nasty weather caused delays in Chicago, and nationwide delays topped 4,000. However, cancellations remained less than 50. Winter alerts were issued for 14 million people from Iowa to Maine, with snow and ice causing accidents across Kansas.
A Victory Lap for the Travel Industry
Despite the challenges, the travel industry sees today as a victory lap. The holiday travel season has gone smoothly, even with a few storms thrown in the mix. TSA has had seven of its ten busiest travel days this year, thanks to appropriate staffing.
The Rush Isn’t Over Yet
Although the holiday rush is nearing its end, some airports like Atlanta will still see their peak until 9:00 p.m. Winter weather in the Midwest continues to slow things down. So, travelers should not expect a sudden decrease in activity just yet.