As the Fourth of July approaches, air travel in the United States is set to break records. AAA estimates that over 5.7 million people will take to the skies this week, marking an increase of 400,000 travelers compared to last year.
Anticipating Busy Airports
Airports across the nation are preparing for a surge in travelers, which often leads to longer security lines and potential flight delays. Western Mass News spoke with passengers at Bradley International Airport to get a sense of their holiday travel experiences.
Traveler Experiences
Kennedy Brown, traveling from Houston, noted the unusually long lines. “As someone who travels frequently, I feel like the lines were a lot longer than they usually are,” she shared.
Omar Asad, who traveled from Atlanta to New England, mentioned that while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was busy, he experienced no major issues. “It was pretty busy today, but I didn’t really have any delays or anything. Everything was pretty easy even with the traffic,” Asad said.
Steven LaChance, returning from Orlando, encountered a surprising schedule change. “Our flight to Orlando was rescheduled earlier without notice, from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m.,” he recounted.
Despite the bustling activity at other airports, Bradley International Airport reported normal traffic flow. Myra Philips, visiting from Texas for a lacrosse tournament, commented, “We had never been to this airport before. It seems pretty quiet.”
Cost of Airfare
Interestingly, flying this Independence Day weekend is slightly cheaper than last year. According to AAA booking data, domestic airfare has decreased by 2%, with the average price for a domestic roundtrip at $800.
Conclusion
As we head into the holiday week, travelers should brace for busier airports and potential delays. However, with a slight decrease in airfare costs, this Fourth of July travel period could be more affordable for many. Safe travels to all celebrating this Independence Day!