While Christmas may be over, the holiday travel rush is far from finished, with long lines and crowded airports expected to persist for a few more days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forecasted that this Friday, December 27, and Monday, December 30, will be two of the busiest travel days of the holiday season.
Thursday evening at Raleigh-Durham International Airport served as a brief respite, with the terminal noticeably quieter than usual. Many travelers took advantage of the calm before the storm. “We anticipated a lot more congestion, but it’s been very easy,” said Stephanie Miller, who was dropping her daughter off at the airport after a Christmas visit.
Across the U.S., nearly 40 million people are expected to travel through airports between December 19 and January 2, marking a 6.2% increase from last year, according to TSA estimates.
Jalen Hollingsworth and his girlfriend managed to avoid the peak crowds on Thursday, returning home to Dallas with plenty of holiday gifts in tow. “Had a good time, ate too much food, and got a lot of presents,” Hollingsworth said. “Four checked bags, so that’s great.”
As the travel surge continues, TSA is reminding passengers to arrive early: at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, to ensure a smoother experience.
