busiest travel day seatac

Simple Flying

Seattle tacoma international airport breaks record for busiest day ever.

The airport believes it will break this record next month.

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had its busiest day ever on July 24th, with a record-breaking 73,651 passengers going through TSA screening.
• The airport estimates that over 198,000 passengers departed, arrived, or connected on that day, equivalent to the population of Vancouver, the fourth-largest city in Washington.
• Despite the busy day, SEA maintained good operational performance and believes that the record will likely be broken again in August during the peak summer travel season.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) recorded the busiest-ever day in its history this Monday. Seventy-three thousand six hundred fifty-one passengers passed through TSA Screening on July 24th, and over 198,000 are estimated to have departed, arrived, or connected on this day.

Seattle Tacoma breaks busiest day record

The airport broke its previous TSA screening record of 72,154 from August 16th, 2019 with Monday's effort and estimated more than 198,000 passengers passed through the airport. SEA noted that it handled the equivalent of the fourth-largest city in Washington - Vancouver, with a population of just over 190,000.

As shown in the infographic below, the daily passenger count would be able to fill up stadiums Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, Husky Stadium, and Climate Pledge Arena, with just over 7,000 seats to spare. Sea-Tac added that there were more passengers at the airport on Monday than attended Taylor Swift's concerts in Seattle over the weekend.

Interestingly, July 24th was not any kind of special day - such as a public holiday - but just a regular Monday in the summer. However, it does fall within the holiday period for school kids, and there were a few high-profile events in town over the weekend, like Taylor Swift's visit and the Capitol Hill Block Party festival.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Just a day after its record-breaking feat, the airport suffered flooding, forcing the south portion of Concourse A to shut. The flooding began at approximately 07:00, shutting down all A gates south of A10 used by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines - by 16:00, two of three gates had reopened, with the remaining gate opening by the evening.

New record in August likely

With the peak summer travel season now upon us, Sea-Tac believes Monday's record will probably be broken in August, possibly multiple times. The airport said,

"SEA anticipates that this record will likely be broken again in August, maybe multiple times as folks continue to enjoy travel this summer."

Given the possibility of delays on extremely busy days, the airport advises travelers to check its website or download the FlySEA app to stay updated. Sea-Tac maintained an excellent operational record over 2022, coming in as the 5th most on-time airport for departures in the US , and handled Monday's surge seamlessly.

Busiest days in history

SEA has recorded all of its Top 10 busiest days within the past five years - additionally, all of these days have fallen between June 21st and August 19th.

These days, as measured by TSA screenings, were:

• July 24th, 2023 – 73,651
• August 16th, 2019 – 72,154
• June 30th, 2023 – 70,984
• August 10th, 2018 – 70,952
• August 9th, 2019 – 70,879
• June 22nd, 2018 – 70,634
• June 21st, 2019 – 69,935
• July 23rd, 2023 – 69,839
• August 19th, 2018 – 69,786
• August 4th, 2019 – 69,755

Have you ever flown in or out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport during the peak summer season? How did you find the overall experience? Let us know your stories in the comments.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

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Sea-Tac Airport readies for busiest travel day ever

Jun 23, 2023, 8:11 AM | Updated: 9:36 am

Brace yourself if you are heading to Sea-Tac Airport today. Airport managers believe it will be the busiest travel day ever. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

BY KIRO NEWSRADIO NEWSDESK

KIRO Newsradio staff

Brace yourself if you are heading to Sea-Tac Airport today. Airport managers believe it will be the busiest travel day ever.

Summer has started. School’s out. The pandemic is over.

Nearly 200,000 people are expected to pass through the airport, either taking off or landing — including people making connections.

Sea-Tac Airport parking rates going up more than 30%

Over 72,000 outbound travelers are expected to go thru checkpoints, or about 196,000 overall thru the airport.

I’m at SeaTac where the airport is expecting its busiest day ever — 196,000 travelers estimated for the day. It’s the middle of the morning rush the airport typically sees between 5 and 6am, but security lines do not appear as backed up as they have in previous holidays. pic.twitter.com/W5MY2MQqrF — Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) June 23, 2023

A busy  parking garage is making airport parking a challenge. During busy travel periods, officials said expect to spend 45 to 60 minutes looking for a parking stall.

If you decide to drive and park, the  new automated parking guidance system marks available and occupied stalls with green and red lights.

It’s dangerous to park on the shoulder of the airport drive. Use the newly  reconfigured Cell Phone Lot .

Airport authorities said passengers should arrive two hours before domestic travel and three hours before international travel.

Upgrade SEA  highlights more than $4.6 billion in improvements underway over the next five years.

Read the  plan for the future of Sea-Tac Airport .

Construction for safety and accessibility improvements means temporary closures  along garage sky bridges and airport drives.

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How to beat the lines as Sea-Tac prepares for record-breaking season

Less than two weeks until Christmas and the Sea-Tac Airport is now in one of its busiest times of the year.

AAA is estimating that this will be a record-breaking year for air travel. It expects 7.5 million people to take to the skies, shattering the record set back in 2019 of 7.3 million. Friday Sea-Tac saw its second busiest day of the holiday travel season.

“This is the longest probably I’ve ever been in a TSA pre-check line,” Halle Jensen said. “But we got here with enough time, so we knew we weren’t going to miss the flight.” The Pre-Check line was about as long as the general boarding lines. However, wait times across the board were roughly twenty minutes.

“Today we’re seeing about 168,000 passengers go through so it’s the second busiest travel day of the holiday period here through New Years,” Perry Cooper, a spokesman for the airport, said. “The morning period is our busiest time so TSA’s been getting all their staff up to the highest level they can get to too.”

If you don’t have Pre-Check, you can use Spot-Saver or Clear to beat the long lines.

“It’s faster and we travel a lot, and it makes a big difference,” Dina Garcia said. “I was like I’m so glad we have that Clear because it’s going to be way faster.” Regardless of what line you’re in, you still need to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight.

“Rather be here a little bit early and get through early versus being late and then you show up and hanging out in a longer line than you expected and still waiting to get to your plane,” Cooper said.

• Traffic Lab

How to beat Sea-Tac Airport’s Thanksgiving crowds inside and outside

Welcome to Thanksgiving eve, the busiest day this holiday week at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport .

A forecasted 160,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport Wednesday, according to airport officials, as people fly to holiday destinations or arrive here for a visit home.

While dreaming of the family stuffing recipe may not be enough to get you through the travel chaos, these tips to spend less time in line for security and passenger pickup and drop-off just might.

The next busiest day this week at Sea-Tac is expected to be Friday, after people tuck into a plate — or two or three — of their favorite holiday food and start to make their way home.

More holiday travel help

• The holidays are longer now. Is that a good thing?
• 6 tips to avoid getting your family sick during holiday travel
• Best and worst times to travel on WA roads and ferries this Thanksgiving weekend
• Sea-Tac Airport sold out of pre-booked parking. Here’s what to do
• Will air travel be as chaotic as last summer? What to expect over Thanksgiving
• Region-by-region Thanksgiving weather forecast

Reserve your spot in the general security line

If you have a flight that leaves between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m., there’s no need to wait in a line to go through security, according to Sea-Tac spokesperson Perry Cooper.

Last summer, Sea-Tac piloted a  “spot saver” program  in which people can schedule in advance a 15-minute window to go through security during peak travel hours .  This way, travelers who don’t have TSA Precheck or another premium service can just walk up during the designated time and skip waiting up to a half-hour in the general security line, he said.

People can reserve a slot up to 72 hours in advance or while at the airport. The program is available at TSA checkpoints 2, 3 and 5, which lead to all gates.

Meanwhile, you’re already out of luck for  prebooked parking at the airport , which is sold out for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Prebooking, however, does not reserve a spot, and the airport does not offer parking reservations.

There’s a good chance you could score a “drive-up” parking spot, but it’s not guaranteed, Sea-Tac says.

Switching the levels

Mornings are a busy time for the upper-level departure lanes outside the airport. Then in the afternoons and evenings, the opposite situation occurs: The lower arrival level becomes backed up.

According to Sea-Tac’s analysis, the morning peak for the departure drive is between 5 and 7 a.m., and the evening peak for arrivals is between 8 and 11 p.m. Often, that means cars are stretched back to the ramps.

Sea-Tac installed signs last summer advising people to use the opposite levels during those times. You may have an especially speedy pick up if your traveler doesn’t have checked baggage, Cooper said.

Baggage claim is on the lower level of the terminal, so people getting off a flight at Sea-Tac without bags can walk directly through the ticketing area on the upper departure level without needing to take an escalator or elevator.

Wait in the cellphone lot, not shoulders

A persistent problem occurs when people park illegally on the shoulders of the road leading to the airport when waiting for a pickup call, according to airport officials. This not only creates congestion, it’s also a safety hazard.

The cellphone lot was improved this year to include a new entrance and road. Previously, cars entering and leaving the cellphone lot had to pass each other, creating a hazard, Cooper said.

Editor’s note: An initial version of this story inaccurately stated that Wednesday is the busiest day of the year at Sea-Tac Airport. It also included inaccurate information about parking at the airport, which does not offer parking reservations.

Material from Seattle Times staff reporter Amanda Zhou and The Seattle Times archives is included in this report.

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Wednesday expected to be busiest holiday travel day at Sea-Tac

Holiday travel at Sea-Tac (KIRO 7 News)

SEATAC, Wash. — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is bracing for its busiest day of the holiday season.

More than 150,000 passengers are expected at the airport on Wednesday, a 13% increase from last year.

Airport officials say the passenger numbers are almost at pre-pandemic levels.

Transportation Security Administration officials said its staff is ready to handle the projected increase in travel on Wednesday and through the next week.

On Wednesday alone, the TSA expects to screen about 2.5 million passengers in the U.S. The next busiest day is expected to be Sunday.

>> Travel experts, airport officials offer advice on avoiding delays at Sea-Tac

The projected increase in passengers means more time standing in line.

One way to avoid delays is to get a ride to the airport. All of the airport’s parking reservations are filled. The good news is that only 500 parking spots are set aside for reservations, which is about 4% of all parking spots at SEA.

Port of Seattle spokesperson Perry Cooper said passengers should go by their boarding time instead of the departure time to ensure they’re on time.

“You need to get in there when they start boarding, so think of your boarding time not your departure time, because by then everyone should be in and sat down on the plane,” said Cooper.

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These Are the Busiest Days to Travel for Christmas and New Year's, According to the TSA

Be prepared for airport congestion if you're flying on these days.

The Transportation Security Administration expects busy airport checkpoints this winter holiday season and is warning travelers to come prepared.

During its busiest days this season, the agency expects to screen more than 2.5 million passengers each day, a 6 percent increase compared to last year. The TSA said the most crowded days at airports across the country are forecast to be Thursday, Dec. 21, Friday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 1.

Last year, the busiest day was Dec. 29.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

“We are prepared to handle the busy passenger volumes this winter holiday season,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement . “TSA’s continued success during this record year for travel is a direct result of teamwork, planning and professional execution across the agency, from our frontline employees to those behind the scenes; partnerships with airports and air carriers; and innovative checkpoint technologies that improve security effectiveness, efficiency and the passenger experience.”

The start of Christmas and New Year’s travel — which airlines expect to be record-breaking — follows an equally busy Thanksgiving during which the TSA recorded the busiest day in its history . In total, a record 7.5 million travelers are forecast to fly over the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA .

To cope with the crowds, the TSA recommends travelers come prepared by knowing what they can and cannot bring through security. Certain holiday staples like pies are fine to bring in a carry-on bag, while others, like large bottles of eggnog, must be placed in a checked bag. Travelers should also think twice before wrapping gifts since TSA officers may have to unwrap them to inspect them.

Travelers who are unsure can check the “ What Can I Bring? ” page on the TSA’s website or ask the agency by texting a question to 275-872 or messaging the agency with the @AskTSA handle on X, formerly known as Twitter, or through Facebook Messenger.

The agency also wants travelers to be aware of new technology it is rolling out, like the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which allows travelers to get through security without having to show a boarding pass or, in some cases, even a physical ID ; and the full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray system , which can create 3D images of carry-on items, allowing officers to detect things like weapons, explosives, and other banned items.

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South Fork Gives North Bend Room to Hang Out

By Allison Williams April 24, 2024

Image: courtesy South Fork

It's noon on Saturday and I'm racing to the second "Order Here" counter at South Fork, North Bend's sprawling eatery and social hub, on a mission. I see only two cinnamon rolls left in the glass case by the door, and while the folks waiting at the first ordering station technically deserve the first shot at them, I respond immediately when a staffer across the crowded dining room waves customers over to the still-empty register near the back.

Only after I secure the cinnamon rolls do I hear that there's a 30-minute wait for entree-sized dishes ordered off the menu. Fortunately, our flaky pastries (they're almost croissant-like, plus generous frosting) and cappuccinos will be up much faster, a snack that will serve as a post-hike lunch.

It doesn't seem like any customers, inside or outside the bustling South Fork, are bothered by the half-hour wait for a full brunch meal. Because this is as much a community hub as a simple eatery, and its sprawling acreage was designed for nonspecific loitering. The wait is the point.

Once upon a time the building was the clubhouse for a golf course, located just feet from Exit 32 on I-90. But a water rights issue led the city of North Bend to purchase the land and convert it to a park; the building went through a few restaurant iterations before being purchased by two couples, the Talbotts and Blairs, in 2022.

"We built South Fork to be a kind of place to come hang out, like a pub in the UK," says Luke Talbott, who also owns summer camp operator Compass Outdoor Adventures next door. They developed a counter-service design to encourage customers to linger and not feel rushed by a server, and diners flow between indoor, outdoor, and tent seats across the property.

Kids and dogs: both are welcome, and both are plentiful. It's the kind of place Talbott wished existed when his own kids were small. "There are packs of feral children running around rampant everywhere," he says, "But there's a 35-acre park in the backyard." That former golf course behind his outdoor patios and tent spaces is scheduled to gain a playground, hiking trails, and maybe even an archery course in coming years, but never building development. 

Most of South Fork's menu offerings hit the literal sweet spot between decadent treat and creative classic: a churro waffle comes topped in marionberry compote, while the corned beef hash has the kick of horseradish crema. Beers come from within three hours of North Bend ("Why should we have to go to San Diego for a good beer?" says Talbott) and the coffee is Caffe Vita.

In less than two years of operation, the biggest problem at South Fork is its limited parking. During the week the crowd tends to be North Bend locals sitting down to a meal or catching regular trivia and dinner club nights. Weekends see the indoor tables and 5,000-square-foot beer garden fill with day trippers heading to or from Snoqualmie Pass or local hiking trails (like  the underrated Middle Fork region ), or cyclists checking out North Bend's brand-new mountain bike park . On busy days Talbott says customer counts can surpass 500.

The restaurant will address the long waits for food with a new food truck this spring. Dishing sliders, the truck will supplement the existing food menu and help the restaurant keep up with demand.

Talbott is still surprised at how popular South Fork became right out of the gate, attributing it to a need to gather after pandemic distancing. "Everyone came out of the woodwork," he says. "We hit a niche we didn't totally know was there."

14303 436th Ave SE, North Bend Travel time from Seattle: 35 minutes

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The Sweet Spot for Saving Around 15% on Flights to Summer’s Trending Destinations is 21 to 60 Days Out  

Spring is in the air, but the clock is ticking for travelers to lock in summer travel plans. According to the Expedia® Summer Travel Outlook, released today, searches for summer trips are up year-over-year for flights and lodging, 1 and the window is open now to save on summer airfare. Top destinations tempting U.S. travelers include major cities like New York and London, as well as beach destinations like Cancun and Honolulu. 

France is also a summer hotspot as Paris and surrounding areas prepare to host a major global sports event in late July. Expedia’s data reveals a massive surge in searches for accommodations during these dates in cities including Yvelines (+520%), Lyon (+310%) and Marseille (+200%). 2  

To help travelers plan for what’s shaping up to be a busy summer travel season, Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook uncovers crucial tips, including:  

• Book summer flights 21 to 60 days out. Last year, travelers booking during this window saved around 15% for domestic and international travel. 3 That means the window to save on Memorial Day Weekend travel will close by May 2. 
• Depart on a Monday (international flights) or Tuesday (domestic flights). Travelers saved around 15% compared to those that departed on Thursday and Friday. 3  
• Fly during mid-to-late August. It’s less busy and can yield savings of up to $265 on roundtrip tickets compared to the last week of June when average fares peak. 3  
• The Fourth of July is on Thursday, and the week leading up to the holiday is expected to be the busiest time to fly this summer. 3  

“The sweet spot for booking your summer trip is right around the corner, but there’s still a bit of time to figure out your vacation plans and lock in those flights at a great rate,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “The cheat sheet is easy this year — book one to two months out and save around 15%, whether you’re taking the family to the beach in Florida or summering in Paris.” 

Read the full Expedia Summer Travel Outlook below, which includes top destinations and tips for saving on airfare and hotels.  

Expedia Summer Travel Outlook  

When to Book Summer Travel 3  

According to Expedia historic flight data, the sweet spot for booking summer flights is between 21 and 60 days ahead of departure, whether you’re headed abroad or staying stateside. That means the clock is already ticking with summer officially kicking off on Memorial Day, currently just over six weeks away.  

• Average Sweet Spot Savings: Up to 15% on airfare 
• Worst Time to Book: Less than a week out for domestic travel or more than 90 days out for international travel (travelers paid 15% more than average during these windows). 

Don’t want to wait? Book when you’re ready and use Expedia’s Price Drop Protection,* which provides an automatic refund if the flight fare decreases on Expedia after booking. Available for purchase and on the app, it’s free for Gold and Platinum One Key members on eligible bookings who will receive any refund in OneKeyCash automatically. 

Destination Insights 1  

Expedia’s search data highlights New York and London as the most popular domestic destinations overall for summer.  

Meanwhile, significant year-over-year surges are also evident in major international cities across Europe and Asia, along with sought-after beach locales in Mexico and the Caribbean. Japan continues its reign as a top year-round destination for U.S. travelers, with Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto appearing on the list of fastest-growing cities for summer. 

Best and Busiest Times to Travel This Summer 3  

Flexibility is critical, and sidestepping the busiest travel days can offer cost and time savings. Based on 2023 flight demand, late June tends to be the busiest time to fly and the most expensive. Meanwhile, August boasts the lightest crowds and cheapest average ticket prices of the season.  

The Fridays and Saturdays before July Fourth and Labor Day are historically among the busiest for air travel during the summer months, as travelers aim to make the most of office closures and paid holidays. July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, so travelers can expect busier roads and airports both the weekend before and the day before the holiday.  

• Busiest Travel Dates: Last week of June; June 29 and July 3 (Saturday and day before July Fourth holiday); August 30 (Friday before Labor Day)  
• Lightest Travel Dates: Last week of August 

Cheapest Day of the Week to Fly 3  

According to Expedia data, Fridays are the busiest day at the airport during the summer months, while Tuesdays are the lightest. Day of the week also matters when it comes to savings; for domestic flights, depart on a Tuesday instead of a Friday to save around 15%, and on Monday instead of Thursday for international flights. 

Make the Most of Summer Holiday Weekends 3  

These are some of the best places to fly for under $500 during summer’s long weekends, based on historical flight data. 

Summer in Paris   

Paris is among the most popular international destinations for U.S. travelers this year, with Paris as one of the top destinations all up. During late July through mid-August, the City of Lights and surrounding areas are attracting even more interest as it prepares to host a major global sports event. Expedia’s data reveals a massive surge in searches for accommodations during these dates in cities including Yvelines (+520%), Lyon (+310%) and Marseille (+200%). 2   

With Paris attracting a surge of summer visitors, accommodation rates have spiked compared to last year. To save on a place to stay, travelers should explore neighboring cities that are still well-connected by train to various competition venues:  

• Best for lower rates compared to Paris City Center: Rueil-Malmaison, Chatou, and Nanterre.  
• Best for stays near the Stade de France: Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen 

Summer Travel Hacks  

Allow Expedia’s suite of traveler tools to simplify the journey by taking the guesswork out of booking, saving on airfare and streamlining the planning process. 

• Save with flight alerts : Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop.** 
• Opt for morning flights : According to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, morning departures are 50% less prone to cancellations than flights after 3 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day. 
• Secure a flexible hotel reservation : Use Expedia’s search filters to discover accommodations offering “free cancellation” or “reserve now, pay later” options, and select the refundable room. 
• Bundle and save : Travelers can save by bundling their flight or hotel booking on Expedia, taking advantage of discounted rates. 
• Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key™ membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input the airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. 

Data Sources:    

1 Based on Expedia.com flight or lodging searches for travel during the weeks of May 20 – September 6, 2024, as of March 4, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023.   

2 Based on Expedia.com lodging searches for travel during July 26 – August 11, 2024, compared to same dates in 2023.  

3 Based on Expedia flight demand for travel during May, June, July, August and September 2023 compared to the same time frame in 2022.   

* Price Drop Protection is available for a fee on eligible flights. Refund will be the difference if the price of your flight on Expedia drops. Terms apply. See site for details.   

** Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available in the app on select routes.  

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One of the busiest travel days of the year at Sea-Tac Airport

by Cole Miller, KOMO News reporter

SEATAC, Wash. – As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend comes to an end, Sunday is expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year. The same can be said for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Port of Seattle officials won’t have concrete numbers until early next week but the Transportation Security Administration estimates forecast roughly 20,000 travelers passing through security Sunday. The agency estimates that on Thanksgiving day, roughly 24,000 flyers departed from airport gates.

KOMO News spoke with a few travelers about their experiences and whether or not they felt safe.

“It was very crowded,” said Brianna Gutierrez, mentioning the hordes of people at Phoenix Sky Harbor where she flew back to Seattle from. She says she did her best to practice social distancing but that it wasn’t easy.

“It’s hard to though when you’re so packed in there.”

Gutierrez says it was a medical emergency involving family that prompted her trip. Despite the Centers for Disease Control urging people not to fly due to the increased risk for contracting COVID-19, many hit the skies between Thursday and Sunday.

“You have to kind of weigh those odds, right?” Gutierrez questioned. “Decide what you’re going to do, what you’re comfortable with.”

Some health experts, including Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, now suggest anyone who did travel get tested for the virus and assume they’ve been infected.

“I don’t plan on testing unless I have symptoms but I am going to be in isolation for two weeks,” said Gutierrez.

Others are leaving Washington state after a visit here.

“I just have to be careful like my mother-in-law reminded me,” said Delia Billings. “I came to see my husband. He’s stationed in Whidbey Island and I’m from California. I wear my mask and I wash my hands, I stay 6 feet apart.”

The Port of Seattle reports that air travel continues to be a far cry from what it was last year. In October, the number of passengers seen at Sea-Tac was down 60.5% compared to October of last year. So far in 2020, just 17 million people in all have gone through the airport. Officials say that number is usually reached by mid-May.

Out on the roads this Thanksgiving, AAA estimates that 48 million or less Americans traveled for the holiday.

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