Travel experts are predicting a busy week ahead for both road and air travel in the Carolinas, as many people head home for the holidays. Airport officials expect nearly three million passengers to pass through Charlotte Douglas International Airport between December 20 and January 5, with Friday anticipated to be one of the busiest travel days of the season.
“I’m on my way to Sacramento, California, to visit my brother and his family,” said Demetri Pharr, one of the many travelers navigating the bustling airport.
The holiday rush is already evident at Charlotte Douglas, as travelers adjust to the crowded terminals.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be this crowded already,” Pharr added.
While frequent flyers are accustomed to long security lines and the usual rush to the gates, some travelers were caught off guard by the early surge in holiday traffic.
“For Thanksgiving, there was no line at all, so I was a little surprised,” said Madison Sharpe, who is heading to Los Angeles. “I’m glad I showed up earlier than I needed to.”
Many others, like Sharpe, chose to book early flights in hopes of avoiding the holiday rush.
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