With just days until Christmas, travelers are expected to flood airports and highways on Monday, the busiest travel day of the holiday season. O’Hare Airport alone anticipates screening nearly 243,000 passengers.
AAA is warning of significant congestion at airports and on roads throughout the week-long holiday stretch. The TSA recommends allowing extra time for security: two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. They also advise leaving gifts unwrapped to avoid delays caused by security alarms and further inspection.
Passengers at O’Hare offered mixed perspectives on their travel experiences. Gabriella, flying to London, reported a smooth start, noting, “It’s just the right day. Shouldn’t be too bad. So far, so good. My husband got an upgrade, so we’re in good shape.” Alyssa, traveling to San Diego on a standby flight, expressed optimism: “I’m really happy to be flying out of here. Hopefully, we got on. We’re flying standby, so we’ll see.”
Despite the expected airport crowds, AAA reports that driving remains the most popular travel method, with nearly 90 percent of holiday travelers expected to reach their destinations by road. Lower gas prices than last year, currently averaging around $3.04 nationally for regular gasoline, may contribute to this preference, offering some relief during the holiday season.