Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said they are on track to surpass pre-pandemic numbers.
ATLANTA — The summer vacation travel season officially kicks off a few days before Memorial Day weekend and is expected to be busy.
Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said they are on track to surpass pre-pandemic numbers.
As a result, they are asking travelers to prepare, arriving at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
In his Memorial Day travel forecastAAA predicts that 43.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the long weekend, close to the 2005 record of 44 million.
“We haven't seen this amount of travel on Memorial Day weekend in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “We are expecting one million more travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we are surpassing pre-pandemic levels, but also heralds a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
How do they travel (according to AAA)
- By car: 38.4 million
- By plane: 3.51 million
- Others: 1.9 million
Cost of travel
This Memorial Day weekend, AAA says drivers can expect gas prices similar to last year, when the national average was around $3.57. However, the website says prices could increase as the summer progresses.
Meanwhile, airfare prices over the holiday weekend are “comparable to last year,” according to AAA. Other booking data indicates a 1-2% increase in domestic flight prices.
Best/worst times to travel by car (AAA)
- Thursday May 23
- The worst moment: 12:00 – 18:00
- Best time: Before 11 a.m., after 7 p.m.
- Friday May 24
- Worst moment: 12:00 – 19:00
- Best time: Before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m.
- Saturday May 25
- Worst moment: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Best time: Before 1 p.m., after 6 p.m.
- Sunday May 26
- Worst moment: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Best time: Before 1 p.m.
- Monday May 27
- Worst moment: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Best time: After 7 p.m.
