AAA is forecasting a record number of travelers for this year’s Independence Day holiday, with an estimated 72 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day period from June 28 to July 6. This marks a significant increase in travel, particularly for drivers and air travelers, as summer travel reaches its peak.
Record Numbers for Drivers and Air Travelers
Nearly 62 million people are expected to hit the road during the Fourth of July weekend, a 1.3 million increase from last year. Meanwhile, air travel is projected to rise by more than 1% compared to last year’s already record-breaking numbers.
This surge in travel has caused heavy volumes at airports, with the top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history all occurring in the past year. Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, noted, “We expect to see more heavy volumes this summer.”
Improving Airport Efficiency with New Technology
As summer travel reaches new heights, airport officials are introducing new technology to reduce wait times. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), customs officials reported a 25% reduction in wait times, thanks to the implementation of facial recognition technology.
This system is now operational at nine airports nationwide, offering a more efficient process for passengers.
Additionally, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will soon test a new program that will allow customs officers to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas.
Jim Moses, Senior Vice President of DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines, stated, “This program streamlines and improves the travel experience, saving time and reducing complexity while maintaining the highest security standards.”
Emotional and Practical Reasons for the Travel Surge
According to AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz, the significant rise in travel is driven by both practical and emotional factors. “Travel isn’t just an economic and practical decision, it’s also an emotional decision,” Diaz explained.
“People want to get away and not be home, even if it doesn’t require spending a lot of money.” This desire to escape and reconnect with loved ones or explore new destinations is contributing to the record-breaking numbers.
Top Summer Destinations
As families and travelers head out for summer vacations, Priceline reports that Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo, and London are among the top destinations for this summer. With many people eager to take trips, these destinations are expected to see large numbers of visitors in the coming weeks.