July 4th travel likely the busiest in American history... here's what it means for your Independence Day plans
Anyone who is looking for travel during the July 4th holiday period may need to find ways to stay busy at an airport.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on June 24 that their agency screened 2.99 million fliers on June 23, breaking the record for the most travelers screened in a day.
TSA is now expecting to screen more than 32 million jetsetters from June 27 through July 8.
The holiday's peak travel day is expected to be this Friday, June 28, as the TSA prepares to screen more than three million fliers.
While the Fourth of July travel will be busy, the TSA reminded travelers in its news release about what to do so that your Independence Day plans go smoothly.
TSA announced on June 24 that its agency screened 2.99 million fliers on June 23, breaking the record for the most individuals to be screened in a day
TSA confirmed in a June 24 news release that it is expecting to screen more than 32 million individuals from June 27 through July 8
The government agency advised travelers to start packing their things in a completely empty bag so that no prohibited items that were in your luggage before you added your vacation outfits are found by security personnel.
TSA also suggested that travelers get to the airport two hours before their scheduled flight's departure time.
However, fliers may need to get there earlier if they traveling by plane sometime in the next few days due to the holiday time period.
The TSA also recommended travelers review guidelines for traveling with children, ask for assistance, double-check luggage tags and check for TSA PreCheck.
And on top of all that, the TSA stressed that travelers should respect frontline aviation workers while they're checking in and getting screened - for their own sake.
Uncalled for behavior or violence during your security screening could result in delays at checkpoints.
'We expect this summer to be our busiest ever, and summer travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday,' said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, after the agency said seven of the top 10 busiest travel days ever have occurred over the past month.
'The traveling public is on the move, which is a sign of a healthy economy. We are ready, along with our airline and airport partners, to handle this boost in passenger volumes.'
TSA's announcement comes just four days after AAA projected that 70.9 million individuals will travel 50 miles or more between June 29 to July 7
TSA's announcement comes just four days after AAA projected that 70.9 million individuals will travel 50 miles or more away from home during the Independence Day holiday period.
The AAA Independence Day holiday travel period this year lasts from June 29 to July 7, which is a first for the organization in terms of its lengthy duration.
According to AAA, this year's travel number is a 5 percent increase compared to 2023.
'With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,' Senior Vice President of AAA Travel Paula Twidale said.
'We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.'
Around 3.51 million travelers flew out of airports during Memorial Day Weekend this year and United Airlines expected more than 500,000 fliers each day
TSA advised travelers to review guidelines for traveling with children, ask for assistance, double-check luggage tags, and check for TSA PreCheck
The Fourth of July airport mayhem comes after around 3.51 million travelers flew out of airports like LAX and Pittsburgh International during Memorial Day Weekend.
United Airlines even said over three million travelers to flew with them between May 23 and May 28, making it the airlines' busiest Memorial Day weekend in history.
Around three million travelers flew with Delta, while American Airlines had nearly 3.9 million fliers.
According to ABC News via Hopper, the busiest Memorial Day weekend days for flying were on May 23, May 24, and May 27.
