115 million Americans traveling for the holidays, AAA says
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Planes, trains and automobiles are just some of the methods some 115 million folks are using headed home and other places for the holidays.
Airports coast to coast are bracing for the beginning of the holiday hustle as today is expected to be one of the busiest travel days in years.
Nearly 39 million passengers are expected to travel by air over a 14-day period. The peak of that travel is expected Thursday with nearly 50,000 flights taking off and the FAA is expecting so many travelers that they've opened additional military airspace.
There's no place like home for the holidays, and AAA says that's where a lot of people are headed over the next few days.
Compared to the past several years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, holiday travel has increased and we saw that earlier this year throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
If you're planning on heading to the airport, get there early. For domestic flights, it's recommended to get to the airport 90 minutes to two hours before your flight. If it's an international flight, make it three hours.
Make sure your carry-on luggage doesn't have any firearms in them and make sure the liquid containers in your luggage aren't too big.
As for trains, Amtrak says Christmas rail travel passenger numbers are expected to be the highest since the end of the pandemic. As for automobiles, AAA says the road in Pennsylvania will be extra crowded for the next few days.
"Specifically by car that's about 3 million people," said Tiffany Stanley with AAA.
AAA says drivers should make sure the vehicle they're in is ready to hit the road.
"Make sure you check your car, your battery, tires and engine to make sure you get to your family and friends safely," said Stanley.
Finally, if you are heading out, regardless of your method of transportation, AAA suggests travelers make sure they mentally pack something necessary: patience.