Prepare for Memorial Day mayhem as over 42 MILLION Americans set to travel: Nearly 1,000 flights delayed TODAY as airports face busiest holiday weekend since 2005
- Large crowds gather at Orlando International Airport as boss warns demand ‘pushing our capacity to these limits’
- 3.4 million are expected to fly over the weekend and another 37.1 million to travel by car
- Falling Gas Prices and Pent-up Demand Contribute to Huge Numbers
The nation braces for Memorial Day mayhem as more than 42 million Americans are set to hit the roads, trails and skies over the long weekend.
Seventy-six flights within, to or from the United States had already been canceled by noon, and another 1,500 were delayed.
Rising airline ticket prices have not delayed the 3.4 million people who are expected to fly, an 11% increase over last year and even a 5.4% increase over to 2019 numbers before the pandemic, the AAA said.
Airports are set to experience their busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2005. Roads hadn’t buckled under pressure Friday morning so far – but the holiday rush will begin in earnest after the day is over. of work.
Although gasoline prices remain high, they are well below last year’s level, with an average national price of $3.53 per gallon compared to $4.60 in May 2022, encouraging 37.1 million people to travel by car.
Quickly look at the lines here at @MCO. It is very important that you arrive for your flight at least 3 hours in advance. @AAA_Travel expects this to be the busiest Memorial Day weekend for airports since 2005! More this morning on @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/2EOYtu4lCI
— Celeste Springer (@CelesteSpringer) May 26, 2023
CHICAGO FRIDAY: Passengers wait at Midway International Airport as the rush begins
NEW YORK FRIDAY: The BQE became busy midday Friday as passengers headed for JFK
The heaviest congestion on the roads is expected to begin this afternoon at 3 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m., according to the AAA.
Large crowds were pictured marching through Orlando airport on Friday morning.
Marquez Griffin, vice president of airport operations, told My News 13 that the growing crowds were “pushing our capacity to the limit again”.
Airports have been forced to prepare for the surge in demand, with Delta reporting last month that its international flights were already 75% booked for the summer.
Delta plans to fly 2.8 million customers over Memorial Day weekend alone, a jump of more than 17% from 2022, and expects ‘loads to be high’ throughout the holiday travel period.
The industry expects there will still be pent-up travel demand after years of disruption during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive, told CBS that “the planes are full, people are happy to come back to resume their lives and their joy, and I don’t see that changing.”
“Travel is a priority for people.”
NEW YORK FRIDAY: Travelers rush to JFK airport to take off for the long weekend
LOS ANGELES THURSDAY: Airports were forced to prepare for the jump in demand
CHICAGO FRIDAY: Rising airfare prices haven’t delayed the 3.4 million people expected to fly this weekend
NEW JERSEY FRIDAY: Petrol prices are falling, encouraging 37.1 million people to travel by car
JFK FRIDAY: Passengers line up early to ensure they get their flights quickly
ORLANDO, THURSDAY: Large crowds were pictured marching through Orlando airport with bosses warning that capacity is being ‘stretched to the limit’
American Airlines also plans to carry 2.9 million passengers and will operate 26,637 flights over the weekend.
Chicago alone is expected to welcome more than 1.56 million travelers between Thursday and Tuesday, an increase of 7.7% from last year.
Two million Illinois residents will travel more than 50 miles from home, Fox32 reported.
This year, 2.7 million more people are expected to travel compared to last year, an increase of 7% compared to 2022.
1.85 million people are expected to take a bus or train, an increase of 20.6% from last year.
The travel association predicts it will be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000.
