Summary

  • 2.95 million passengers screened by TSA in one day, setting a new record during Memorial Day weekend.
  • American Airlines expected to fly 3.9 million passengers, with 10% increase from last year.
  • Summer travel season kicking off with 271 million passengers expected to fly through end of August, up 5.6% from last year.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened a record 2.95 million passengers in one day, smashing the previous high of 2.91 million set during Thanksgiving last year. In fact, in a sign of the busy summer to come, five of the ten busiest-ever travel days in the US have been since May 16, 2024.

Almost 4 million passengers flew with American Airlines

According to Reuters, American Airlines was expected to be the busiest carrier over the Memorial Day travel period, transporting 3.9 million passengers on 36,000 flights, an increase of 10% from the same period last year. American Airlines is the largest airline in the world when measured by passengers carried, and Memorial Day travelers will have likely flown through one of the airline’s ten hubs strategically located across the US, including Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas (DFW).

American Airlines aircraft at the airport

Photo: American Airlines

United Airlines also expected to see an increase of around 10% on last year’s passenger numbers, with 3 million taking to the skies with the Star Alliance carrier over the Memorial Day travel period. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines said it planned to carry just under 3 million passengers in the same period, representing a jump of 5% from last year.

A busy summer ahead

The Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of the peak summer travel season in the US. Airlines for America said that carriers across the country expect to transport 271 million passengers between now and the end of August, up 5.6% on last year’s 255 million. That equates to around 26,000 flights per day, an increase of 1,400 daily flights from 2023.

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8

Photo: MKPhoto12 | Shutterstock

The sheer scale of the country’s commercial aviation operation requires significant planning, often years in advance, and airlines across the US have been busy preparing for these key months.

Read more:

How Major US Airlines Are Gearing Up For Summer

All big three US carriers have massive plans for the coming months.

With the skies getting busier, the need for air traffic controllers is greater than ever. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing its recruitment and training drive to ensure the required number is in place across the country. The shortage has been particularly felt in the New York City area, where a number of airlines, including JetBlue, voluntarily cut their flying schedules to reduce congestion and disruption at the area’s busiest airports – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

JetBlue Airbus A321neo at Hamburg XFW

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

That said, the airline was still able to launch its latest international route from JFK to Edinburgh (EDI) last week, becoming the fourth carrier to offer transatlantic services from the Scottish airport. JetBlue’s new route joins the airline’s existing flights to Europe from JFK, which includes the likes of Amsterdam (AMS), London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), and Paris (CDG).

Read more:

JetBlue Launches New York JFK – Edinburgh Airport Route

JetBlue has become the fourth airline to serve transatlantic services from/to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Did you travel by air this Memorial Day weekend? Were the airports busier than you expected? Share your experience by commenting below.

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