Name: Record holiday travel expected as millions hit roads and airports
Uploaded: 2025-12-19T19:40:22.971Z
Duration: 2 min 38 s
Description: Record holiday travel is expected as millions of Americans hit the roads and airports.

Record holiday travel is expected as millions of Americans hit the roads and airports.

Kansas City

A record number of people are traveling for the holidays, according to Triple A, with both highways and airports experiencing significant increases in traffic. Kansas City International Airport (KCI) expects a 5.1% rise in Christmas travelers compared to last year, and nearly 8 million people are projected to fly nationwide.

Most holiday travelers are expected to drive, partly due to lower gas prices, but airports remain busy with increased staffing and reminders for travelers to plan ahead. KCI officials advise arriving early, monitoring flight status, and being patient, as both roadways and airports face one of the busiest travel seasons on record.

Record holiday travel expected as millions hit roads and airports

Okay, holidays right around the corner. Obviously we're less than a week until Christmas. Triple A says a record number of people are traveling this year. Yeah, we say it every year, but they're still saying it. Yeah, right? That means busy airports, packed highways, KSHB 41 news reporter Marlon Martinez joins us live from TCI this morning. Marlon, are most people flying or driving from the holidays? What have we heard? So according to Triple A, they say that the most popular people are going to be getting to their destination is through driving. But when you see at the airports like KCI, I mean, just in the 10 minutes, 15 minutes that I've been here, it's been very busy, and that's what they're expecting. They're expecting more travelers here traveling through KCI than last year, actually. If it feels like everyone is on the move this holiday season, well, you're not wrong. Millions of Americans are traveling for the holidays, filling airports, and hitting the road. That's no exception right here at KCI Airport. We're going to San Diego, Del Mar. Kara Mulligan is beating the Christmas travel rush by a few days to go see her family. We know what day we have to leave. We know what day we have to come home. So it's all good. Triple A says airlines are expected to fly nearly 8 million people this holiday season. KCI expects to see a 5.1% increase for Christmas travel from last year. Go with the expectation that there's going to be, it's going to be more crowded, and I'm just patient. But for most holiday travelers, the journey starts behind the wheel. I have family that lives in Houston, so I'll drive instead of getting on a plane. Now, one of those reasons being is because gas is much cheaper this year. I just get in with the flow and go. And whether you're flying or driving, planning ahead, and of course, patience can make all the difference during one of the busiest travel seasons on record. 100%, we'll do it until we drop. All right, so if you're traveling through KCI, here's some things that they want to remind you of. One of those things is being mindful of travel times. Remember to arrive at least two hours earlier for domestic flights and three for international. Now, keep track of your flight status or updates. And also, plan parking well ahead. If you're parking outside of the airport, remember shuttle buses may take longer during those busier times. And last reminder, KCI officials want you to know about is being patient, that's with staff and through TSA. Now, KCI officials also told me that they have staffed up in preparations for such a busy holiday season here. Again, as you can see right behind me, KCI, there's a lot of people out here this morning. Back to you all. That early morning rush at the airport, even, right? Safe travels to everyone, Marlon. Thank you very much.

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