The busiest day for air travel in years is expected on June 4th in the US, with over 22,000 flights scheduled to depart and nearly 3 million seats available. This is the most scheduled flying since before the pandemic slowdown in March and April 2020. The summer is expected to get busier, with more than 3 million seats flown in the US on June 5th for the first time since August 19th, 2020. Air traffic is expected to peak on July 21st, with over 23,000 domestic US flights scheduled. Demand for air travel remains strong, especially for premium leisure travel and long-haul international flights. Travelers should prepare for crowds and possible disruptions by giving themselves extra time and considering travel insurance.
Quoting aviation analytics company Cirium, Friday, May 26, 2023, is the busiest day for air travel in years. A total of 22,759 flights are scheduled to depart in the U.S. on this day, with more than 2.96 million seats between them. This is the most scheduled flying since before the pandemic slowdown in March and April 2020.
And the summer is only expected to get busier in the air. Cirium forecasts that more than 3 million seats will be flown in the U.S. on June 5 for the first time since Aug. 19, 2020. Air traffic for this summer is expected to peak on July 21, when 23,481 domestic U.S. domestic flights are scheduled in the U.S., with 3.08 million seats, Quoting Cirium.
Industry watchers and travelers should not be surprised by these numbers. When reporting their first quarter earnings, airline executives all telegraphed strong booking demand through the summer and well into the fall, especially for long-haul international flights and those to leisure destinations. Travelers have lamented high airfares on social media, but as executives pointed out, demand has remained strong, especially for premium leisure travel, so many passengers seem undeterred.
Quoting Deloitte’s 2023 Summer Travel Survey, more than a third of flyers this summer are heading to international destinations, especially Europe, which is seeing 8% more travel from the U.S. compared to last summer. Meanwhile, nearby tropical destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean are seeing a drop in demand this summer as travelers head farther afield.
If you’re flying out today, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and make it to your gate. If you haven’t booked your summer travel yet, it’s a good idea to prepare for crowds and possible disruptions by giving yourself extra breathing room in your itinerary through longer connection times, and considering buying travel insurance in case something goes wrong.
As summer travel picks up, it’s important to be aware of the potential for flight cancellations and delays. In fact, just this week, American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights due to staffing shortages and maintenance issues. It’s always a good idea to stay informed about your flight status and have a backup plan in case of disruptions.
To wrap everything up, it’s clear that air travel is bouncing back from the pandemic slowdown, and travelers are eager to get back in the air. As you plan your summer travel, be sure to stay informed, prepare for possible disruptions, and enjoy your trip!
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