That spike in traffic around the roads and sky in the USA is all due to the US Independence Day holiday. On July 4—a falling Friday—the people are hanging in the sky more than average. In fact, the largest airport hubs–Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Denver International Airport (DEN) are expected to be especially busy.
The news outlet The Hill reports that around 5.84 million passengers are expected to travel by air in the week, particularly on July 4. This increase of almost 1.4 percent, to 5.4 million passengers seeking low-cost flights, will practically jam the country’s airports more than last year at the same time. Let’s dive into the look of airports expected to receive the highest number of passengers in the US and other destinations.
Mark Your Calendar: Peak Travel Days to Watch Out For
The total of almost 5.84 million passengers in seven days yields an average daily total of around 834,000 passengers. The natural ratio is higher than expected on busier days, such as Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6.
It’s obviously not a sudden surprise, but these two days are aware already as more people are likely to travel to the destination and back home again. It’s expected to have more than 2.9 million on Sunday, July 6, at the airports across the country.
Most-Visited U.S. Cities This Travel Season
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Denver International Airport (DEN) are all expected to have more than one million passengers within the Independence Day week. A report stated that the ten busiest domestic destinations for passengers in the USA would be over the Independence Day week.
The inclusion of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in the list of busiest airports should come as no surprise. Meanwhile, it would provide all facilities with regulatory oversight on airports, followed by the same for more than 100 million passengers every year. The airport is the primary hub of Delta Air Lines, which has a 73% market share, way ahead of second-placed Southwest Airlines (9%) and third-placed Spirit Airlines (4%).
Meanwhile, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is home to American Airlines, with many of the carrier’s connecting passengers traveling through the airport. Last year, the airport served more than 87 million passengers, with American Airlines commanding the largest share—66 percent. Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of United Airlines’ busiest hubs, with the Star Alliance carrier operating direct flights to destinations as far away as Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Key Steps to Ensure a Seamless Travel Experience
Typically, there are more chances of disruption with high traffic at airports; meanwhile, airlines also experience minor delays, which creates a knock-on effect within the complex air travel network. So far, the US Transportation Security Administration has regularly updated passengers on the website and social media channels, highlighting common issues and providing ways to avoid them. The TSA’s Acting Administrator, Ha Nguyen McNeill, outlined what the organization was doing, saying,
“We are deploying technologies and procedures to improve security and enhance the passenger experience, including for families. We ask travelers to pack their patience, especially during peak travel days, as we work to provide maximum hospitality to our customers.”
TSA PreCheck is all about passing through dedicated security channels, which can be a real blessing during peak times. Children aged 12 and under receive expedited screening when accompanied by an adult with TSA PreCheck, without restrictions. However, when it comes to the best time of day for flying, morning flights tend to be more punctual, as delays often accumulate throughout the day.
Rising Prices Add Pressure to Summer Travel Plans
So far, the return domestic flight for passengers is also on its way to increase ratio—that’s not due to Independence Day—but over the holiday weekend. The Hill also reported the average price of a return domestic flight is now staggering at $810—that’s 4% higher than the average cost of the same flight last year.
Airlines generally price their tickets according to demand, so it is to be expected that traveling at peak times is more expensive. This is a common trend also seen around other major holiday periods, including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and the school summer holidays.
That said, there are still plenty of bargains to be had, with domestic trips throughout the West Coast or to destinations such as Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) still available for under $200 return. Passengers will need to be quick to secure such bargains, as prices are set to rise closer to the day of travel.
Highways Set to See Major Congestion
Summarizing the facts, it’s expected that 5.84 million passengers will travel via airways on US Independence Day week. In contrast, travellers are expected to take to the roads for domestic journeys over the same period. The update from The Hill states that 61.6 million people plan to take a domestic road trip, representing a 2.2 percent increase from last year. Apart from that, the Vice President of a travel Company, AAA Travel—Stacey Barber, stated–
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4 is one of the most popular times to get away. Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.”
This Holiday Marks One of the Busiest Times on Record
In bars across the US, travelers are still stepping out with their packing bags and preparing to head off for a few days away, taking advantage of the Independence Day holiday week. With July 4th falling on a Friday this year, the number of people traveling is expected to be higher than ever, with more than 61 million people taking to the roads and almost six million people traveling by air.
Independence Day marks the start of the peak summer travel season, which lasts until Labor Day in early September. Among the airports expected to be busiest this year are key connecting hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Meanwhile, when it comes to the most popular international travel destinations, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), London Heathrow Airport (LHR), and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) are among the most renowned. For those seeking a quiet getaway and looking to escape the crowds, these may be the airports to avoid.
