The Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of the busy summer travel season and was one for the record books. May 24, the Friday before the long holiday, was the TSA's busiest day ever, with the agency screening 2.9 million people. In fact, five of the 10 busiest days on record occurred this month alone. According to the TSA, the agency screened about 8% more people over this year's holiday weekend than it will in 2023.
If Memorial Day weekend is any indication, this summer will be a record-breaking one for both domestic and international travel, as a normally busy travel season also includes trip-worthy events like the Paris Summer Olympics.
Summer travel expected to be record-breaking
U.S. airlines expect 271 million people to travel between June 1 and August 31, easily surpassing last summer's record of 255 million, according to Airlines for America. U.S. airlines plan to operate more than 26,000 flights per day this summer, an increase of about 1,400 flights per day over last year, or 5.6 percent from last summer.
Airlines increased flights to meet the surge in demand.
“U.S. airlines are pleased to be carrying record numbers of travelers this summer,” Rebecca Spicer, A4A's senior vice president of public affairs, said in a press release. “Our airlines have adjusted their schedules to adapt to the current situation in the U.S. National Air System (NAS), easing some of these pressure points and ensuring a smooth summer travel season.”
Indeed, U.S. airlines performed surprisingly well over the long Memorial Day weekend, despite a series of thunderstorms that battered parts of the country, and airlines appear to be recovering more quickly and without the catastrophic system failures seen as we emerge from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Still, it's better to be prepared for whatever happens, so here are some of my tips to help you stay sane this summer.
Reserve a parking space
As travel demand increases, so does the demand for airport parking. You're increasingly likely to see “Sold Out” signs in airport parking lots.
Don't get stuck searching for a parking spot that may or may not be available, book now to confirm your reservation. Most airport car parks offer prepaid or reservation parking, making it easy to reserve in advance, and sometimes even cheaper.
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Related: Don't forget this before heading to the airport this summer
Allow extra time
Airports will be busy this summer, so plan accordingly. While there aren't the staffing shortages of years past, there are still a limited number of baggage handlers, ticket counter attendants, and security agents available.
My motto this summer (and one shared by many of my colleagues at TPG) is “better safe than sorry,” which is why I recommend arriving at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. These days, you never know what's going to happen.
Modern airports offer many conveniences and attractions, so it doesn't hurt to spend a little extra time in a lounge or do some shopping.
Get Global Entry, TSA Precheck, Cleared, or a combination of all three
At TPG, we always recommend using security shortcuts, such as enrolling in a Trusted Traveler Program like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
These programs can save you time while traveling because the government essentially pre-screens you for security. You must apply and pay a fee in advance, but many credit cards will show these fees as a credit on your statement.
Related: 7 ways to get TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear for free or at a discount
TSA PreCheck helps you speed through airport security without having to remove your shoes, laptop or liquids, while Global Entry helps you breezes through customs when you return from international travel.
In addition to TSA PreCheck, we recommend getting Global Entry, which requires a pre-approval interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but also includes TSA PreCheck once approved.
I also like Clear, another security program that helps you avoid long security lines.
Combining your Clear membership with TSA PreCheck can help you get into shorter lines at some airports that have designated Clear/TSA PreCheck lines. Clear isn't always faster, but it generally does.
Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear and how to save on both
Be smart when booking
There's still a shortage of air traffic controllers, and trouble can still happen. Travelers these days have to be their own biggest advocates.
Better Booking
Think carefully every time you book: look for direct flights instead of connecting ones to reduce the risk of missed flights or delays, which also reduces the chances of your luggage getting lost or misplaced.
It's also a good idea to catch the first flight of the day, as early morning flights are less likely to be hit by afternoon thunderstorms and other weather disturbances, giving you the best chance of departing on time.
Related: If your flight is canceled or delayed, what to do next
Knowledge is power
Be sure to track flights and weather.
Download the airline's mobile app to track potential flight delays in real time. Airline apps are your secret weapon if something goes wrong. Not only will they tell you when boarding will begin, but they'll also be the first to know about any delays. Some airlines even let you rebook (or purchase an upgrade) within the app.
If your flight is cancelled, you will want to get booked ahead of all the other passengers on the same flight who are also looking to rebook.
We recommend going to the main customer service desk (or the desk in the lounge if you have access to one). If there's a delay, you can also call the airline or contact them on social media; airline social media representatives can sometimes respond faster than a phone or in-person agent. If you're having problems, you should use all the tools available to you.
Many airlines also have live chat features to help deal with delays and cancellations.
I always have a backup plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case my flight gets canceled or delayed, and I also look up other airlines flying my route in case something goes wrong, so I know what to ask for if I need to rebook.
I also like to use apps called FlightRadar24 and Flighty to track flights, the latter of which helps me keep an eye on flights and will often let me know before anyone else (even before the airline) if there's a problem with my flight.
You can also use Google to track your flight. Just enter the airline and flight number to see the status of your flight.
Know your rights
There's good news when it comes to passenger rights: The Biden administration is taking a tougher stance when it comes to holding airlines accountable and helping consumers.
The Department of Transportation's new rules are more passenger-friendly, requiring airlines to provide prompt refunds to passengers if they cancel flights (or make significant adjustments to their schedules).
You are entitled to a full refund in your original form of payment within one week if you paid by credit card, or within three weeks if you used another payment method. This applies to flights that are delayed by more than three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights. Note, however, that airlines are only obligated to provide refunds to passengers who don't use their tickets.
If you experience a delay or cancellation, remember to save all receipts for expenses incurred. You'll need good documentation in case of any disruptions like those experienced by Southwest Airlines passengers during the 2022 winter holidays.
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