Name: Airports brace for last big travel rush of the year
Uploaded: 2025-12-22T15:23:29.110Z
Duration: 1 min 50 s
Description: More than 122 million people are expected to travel over the holiday period, AAA estimates. But there have already been some major delays and cancellations. Kris Van Cleave is tracking the latest travel trends.

More than 122 million people are expected to travel over the holiday period, AAA estimates. But there have already been some major delays and cancellations. Kris Van Cleave is tracking the latest travel trends.

Washington

Airports across the United States are preparing for a substantial rise in holiday travel, with airlines expecting approximately 2.9 million passengers per day. Despite disruptions such as a power outage in San Francisco, travelers remain undeterred, and AAA projects a 2.3% increase in flyers compared to the previous year.

American Airlines is introducing the Airbus A321XLR to its fleet, aiming to accommodate the surge, and expects to fly about 12 million people during the holiday period. AAA also forecasts that nearly 110 million Americans will drive, benefiting from lower gas prices, with the busiest travel days anticipated between Christmas and New Year's.

Airports brace for last big travel rush of the year

Deck the airport halls with boughs of flyers as the airlines expect about 2.9 million people a day for the holidays. Not even a widespread power outage in San Francisco could darken holiday spirits for passengers getting ready to start their getaways at SFO. We're here, hopefully going to make it through security and have a flight in a few hours. AAA expects the number of flyers to jump 2.3 percent over last year despite the potential of winter weather headaches. People need to have a plan B, at least have an idea. If you get canceled, are you going to rent a car and drive to a different airport? Are you going to just drive back home? Are you going to postpone your trip? Just in time for the holiday rush, American Airlines is the first U.S. carrier to fly the new Airbus A321XLR with an upgraded cabin and longer range. The airline expects to fly about 12 million people during the holiday period. We're just seeing travel pop. It certainly started with Thanksgiving and we're seeing it through Christmas and through New Year's. We're just really excited for our customers and our passengers to experience our product at a time that is actually most meaningful to them. AAA is forecasting most Americans, nearly 110 million, will opt to drive. And they'll find gas prices hovering around $2.86 a gallon nationally, down almost 20 cents from last year. Guy and Alyssa Sims were driving from Philadelphia to Hackensack, New Jersey on Sunday, sharing hopeful advice for other drivers. Take your time. Enjoy the ride. Don't get all bent out of shape. Now, the next busy stretch, according to AAA, is likely to be between Christmas and New Year's, particularly that Friday and Sunday between the two big holidays. Nate? Chris, all right, I'll take it. Yeah, it's all good. Chris, thank you very much, my friend. Appreciate it.

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