WMBCTV: Memorial Day Travel Rush Takes Off as Tri-State Airports Brace for Record Crowds
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
From packed terminals to full overhead bins and busy runways, Memorial Day travel is officially taking off and airports across the tri-state are preparing for a massive surge in passengers. More than two million passengers are projected to travel through area airports during the holiday stretch with today and Monday expected to be the busiest of the rush. This travel surge comes after months of frustration for some flyers - including long security lines, delays and rising ticket prices. Now, airport officials say staffing improvements, upgraded technology and expanded passenger services are helping airports better handle record demand. But for some travelers, getting to their destination hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. Alisha Dickinson is from New Jersey traveling home from a work event in Nashville and she says the holiday surge coupled with inclement weather across the region has made for a frustrating travel experience.
“I went for a one day trip that turned into a three day trip because I couldn’t get here. The airports are completely packed,” said Alisha Dickinson. “People are laying everywhere, getting rerouted and delayed. It took a while to get to this point so I’m just glad I’m home.”
Others say despite the crowds, they’ve been pleasantly surprised by how smoothly things are moving. Joshua Savill is from Australia, traveling the globe with his wife for her book tour. Yesterday morning they traveled to New Jersey from Tampa and this morning they’re expected to fly out to Canada for their next stop.
“My wife is an author so we’re traveling for her book tour,” said Joshua Savill. “We did know it was Memorial Day, we didn’t realize it was the busiest day though but it hasn't been too bad so far. The airport is nice and clean here so I’m enjoying it.”
Officials say travelers should arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international departures - while also making sure their identification complies with new REAL ID requirements now in effect at TSA checkpoints. Some passengers say flexibility and patience are key when traveling during a busy holiday weekend. Colby Stebbins from Pennsylvania is a student attending college in Boston and while he’s passing through New Jersey to make a quick stop at home, his family is expected to fly out to Chicago later today to spend the long weekend with family.
“I expect it’ll be busy,” said Colby Stebbins. “I prefer earlier flights because I feel like there’s less traffic, especially before the work day begins but my mom works until 3 anyway so we can’t do anything until then so it is what it is at that point.”
And despite higher airfare costs and crowded terminals during the holiday weekend, experts say demand for air travel remains stronger than ever as millions look to reunite with family, head to vacation destinations or simply get away for the long holiday weekend.
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