If you are traveling between now and the end of the year, get ready for a rush.
Holiday travel this season is expected to be 34% higher than than last, with air travel alone jumping 184% between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, the American Automobile Association said.
In all, 109 million U.S. residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more over the holidays, AAA said.
"Road trips remain the top mode of travel during the holidays, with over 100 million planning to head to their destinations in cars despite gas costing $1.25 per gallon more than a year ago," AAA said. "More than 6 million people are expected to travel by air, while 3 million people are booking buses, trains and cruises."
If the projections prove accurate, travel volume will come close to reaching the levels before the pandemic - 92% of the 2019 volume, AAA said.
The rapid spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant hasn't deterred travelers, according to an Axios-Ipsos poll conducted Dec. 7. It found that only 23% of responders said that the new variant would prompt them to cancel travel plans. Almost two-thirds support airlines requiring proof of COVID vaccination to fly, the poll found.
"One thing Americans will not support: another round of lockdowns," Axios said in a news release. "Just 35% said they'd support temporary lockdowns and business closures to fight omicron."
The busiest days for air travel were expected to be Dec. 23 and Monday, Jan. 3, the Transportation Security Administration predicted.
The agency recommends passengers use its PreCheck program, which reduces the time it takes to get through security by not requiring passengers to remove shoes, belts and light jackets. TSA also recommends that travelers pay attention to their airport's busiest hours, which are usually between 5-7 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., as well as allowing plenty of extra time to check luggage, go through security checkpoints, and find their gate. Travelers are also encouraged to review TSA guidelines for what items are permitted through security.
In November, 94% of pre-check passengers cleared security within 5 minutes, the agency said.
