CHARLOTTE — New Year’s is almost here and Americans who had to cancel getaways and get-togethers last year because of the pandemic are making up for lost time this holiday season.
>>ALSO READ: Airlines cancel Christmas Eve flights due to COVID-19 surge
More than 109 million people -- an almost 34% increase from 2020 -- will travel 50 miles or more as they hit the road, board airplanes or take other transportation out of town between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.
>> ALSO READ: 109M Americans expected to travel this Christmas, AAA says
That dramatic bounce-back — 27.7 million more people traveling — will bring this year’s numbers to 92% of 2019 levels. Airlines will see a 184% increase from last year.
“Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel.”
The traffic through Charlotte Douglas International Airport was steady during the week of Christmas, even as the CDC announced COVID-19 infections were peaking from the omicron variant. United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines were forced to cancel flights right before Christmas, saying COVID-19 cases were impacting flight crews and people who run operations.
Charlotte Douglas experienced fewer issues on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. According to FlightAware, only 15 flights were canceled and 134 flights were delayed as of Sunday evening.
“I had flights delayed from Dallas-Fort Worth arriving at CLT. ‘How big of a headache was that?’ Oh, it was terrible. Terrible. Especially trying to travel during the holiday,” passenger Emily McNerney said.
Passengers told Channel 9 they are reducing their risk of contracting COVID-19 by being fully vaccinated, getting boosted and masking up.
“We’re vaccinated and masked and all of the precautions we can do,” one passenger said. Another said he got negative COVID-19 test results by midnight Thursday and was prepared for his Christmas Eve flight.
Protect yourself — and your trip
AAA urges anyone considering gathering or traveling for the holidays to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. It’s essential to know requirements and recommendations based on your vaccination status, where you’re traveling from and your destination.
A trusted travel advisor can provide advice, serving as an advocate before, during and after a trip. Their extensive knowledge and expertise allow them to help travelers with questions related to travel insurance options, what destinations and attractions are open both domestically and internationally, destination-specific testing and vaccination requirements, what to do if last-minute changes to a trip are needed and much more.
AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map helps travelers understand closures, recommendations and requirements when traveling in the U.S. In addition, the CDC has an interactive map with recommendations and information about restrictions for international travel.
Masks are still required for everyone on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of U.S. public transportation and within transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The CDC also recommends everyone wear a mask indoors in public places in an area of substantial or high transmission.
Other things to consider:
- Travel insurance — AAA highly recommends travel insurance to cover unexpected delays or trip interruptions. It is best to consult the expertise of a travel advisor who can guide you on the coverage options available for your specific trip, including if your destination requires visitors to carry travel insurance.
- Clean accommodations — When booking a place to stay, look for accommodations that prioritize cleanliness and have implemented additional housekeeping standards since the start of the pandemic. Hotels that meet AAA standards for cleanliness earn AAA Diamond designations. Earlier this year, as part of the Diamond program, AAA enhanced its housekeeping evaluation, and inspections now include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that have been inspected since that new testing started and now meet these new standards are recognized as Inspected Clean. A current list of AAA Diamond hotels, including those recognized as Inspected Clean, can be found here.
- Domestic and international travel guidelines — When traveling within the U.S., fully vaccinated travelers do not need a negative viral test or to self-quarantine. For international travel, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status or nationality, must show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than one day before travel into the U.S. Refer to the CDC for more information.
More than 100 million on the roads and 6 million in the skies
Road trips remain the top mode of travel during the holidays, with over 100 million planning to head to their destinations in cars despite gas costing $1.25 per gallon more than a year ago. More than 6 million people are expected to travel by air, while 3 million people are booking buses, trains and cruises.
United Airlines announced Thursday that it has canceled more than 100 Christmas Eve flights due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. There were not any flights out of Charlotte that were affected at the time of the announcement.
The TSA predicts more than 6 million Americans will fly between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.
| Total | Automobile | Air | Other (bus, train, cruise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Forecast | 109.5 M | 100.1 M | 6.4 M | 2.9 M |
| 2020 Actual | 81.7 M | 78.5 M | 2.3 M | 0.98 M |
| 2019 Actual | 119.3 M | 108 M | 7.33 M | 3.89 M |
| Change (2019 to 2021) | -8.2% | -7.3% | -12.6% | -24.8% |
| Change (2020 to 2021) | 33.9% | 27.6% | 184% | 198.7% |
Theme parks, beaches and Vegas are popular destinations
AAA booking data through October shows that domestically, theme-park-heavy destinations like Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, top the list of popular travel spots. Las Vegas, New York City and several other Florida cities also rank high.
Higher prices this holiday season
With so many planning to travel, AAA suggests booking flights, car rentals, accommodations and other activities as early as possible.
Air — A recent analysis of AAA’s flight booking data revealed that ticket prices for Christmas week are up 5% from last year, with the average lowest round-trip fare of $154 for major U.S. destinations. For those flying around New Year’s, prices are up considerably more – 27% with the average lowest fare at $182. Those wanting to book last-minute travel will find the best fares about two weeks before their travel date but keep in mind availability may be limited.
Hotels — Mid-range hotel rates have increased 36% for AAA Approved hotels for Christmas travel, with an average nightly rate of $320. For New Year’s Eve, the average nightly rate is $267.
Car Rentals — For car rentals, the average rate has increased 20% for Christmas travel, with the average lowest daily rate of $130. It has increased 65% for New Year’s, for an average lowest daily rate of $103. Rental car companies have been re-building their inventory following a shortage over the summer, but with the increased demand expected around this time of the year, it’s important to book as early as possible.
Major airlines have offered employees incentives to work the holiday rush to avoid mass cancelations like those from American and Southwest a few weeks ago.
Bottom line? As always, get to the airport early this year. Here are some things you need to know ahead of the busy travel season:
- Air travelers should plan for long lines at TSA checkpoints, ticket counters and restaurants.
- Currently, face masks or coverings are required in the terminal, parking lots and on shuttle buses. All airlines at Charlotte Douglas also require passengers to wear a mask.
- Due to the high traffic during the holidays, travelers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before their departure time. Security wait times are listed at cltairport.com and on the airport’s app.
Plan ahead for road trips
The over 100 million Americans planning to drive over the holidays need to be prepared for slowdowns and breakdowns. AAA expects to respond to as many as 917,000 calls for help. Vehicles that have been driven less during the pandemic should get an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels to avoid an unnecessary breakdown. It’s important to do this as early as possible in case there is an issue that needs to be fixed.
Busiest travel days at Charlotte Douglas
Passenger traffic is expected to rise over the next two weeks at Charlotte Douglas International Airport as holiday travel gets underway. More than 1.4 million passengers are expected to fly out of CLT between Dec. 17, 2021 and Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. That’s compared to just 943,000 passengers last year.
”Charlotte is back to where it was. It’s gonna take me a while. I think I haven’t been up there to see the line. Definitely a lot longer than through the pandemic,” passenger Amy Rainey said.
Airport officials said passengers should give themselves at least two hours to get through security checkpoints.
Parking will also be at a premium, so passengers should make sure they have a spot. Travelers are encouraged to reserve a spot online before heading to the airport.
The following days will be the busiest with approximately 66,000 to 70,000 daily passengers expected to depart CLT:
- Friday, Dec. 17
- Sunday, Dec. 19 to Thursday, Dec. 23
- Sunday, Dec. 26 to Thursday, Dec. 30
- Sunday, Jan. 2 to Monday, Jan. 3
- Thursday, Jan. 6 to Friday, Jan. 7
According to the airport, Christmas is the second-busiest time of the year for Charlotte Douglas, followed by Thanksgiving. The two holidays differ because Christmas and New Year’s travel is spread over more days.
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Rushing home for the holidays
INRIX, in collaboration with AAA, predicts only marginal delays overall throughout the holiday week. However, major metro areas across the U.S. could see more than double the delays versus typical drive times, with drivers in New York City likely to experience more than three times the delays.
“With kids out of school and many Americans taking extended time off for the holidays, drivers will experience incremental delays throughout the week. Although congestion will be overall lighter than normal, knowing when and where major delays will likely happen will help save time and reduce stress this holiday season,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX.
Worst Corridors and Times to Travel
| Metro Area | Corridor | Peak Congestion | % Over Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | I-85 South; Clairmont Road to MLK Jr. Dr. | 1/2/22, 3:45-5:45 p.m. | 198% |
| Boston | I-93 North; Quincy Market to MA-28 | 12/23/21, 1:45-3:45 p.m. | 155% |
| Chicago | I-290 West; Morgan Street to Wolf Road | 12/23/21, 3:30-5:30 p.m. | 240% |
| Los Angeles | I-405 South; Sunset Blvd. to I-105 | 1/2/22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | 194% |
| New York | I-278 South; I-495 to 3rd Ave. | 12/27/21, 4:30-6:30 p.m. | 358% |
| Washington DC | I-95 South; I-395 to VA-123 | 12/27/21, 9:30-11:30 a.m. | 270% |
‘Tow to Go’ to avoid driving impaired during the holidays
Charlotte is one of the locations where AAA has activated its ‘Tow to Go’ program as a last line of defense against drunk or high driving.
From 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 3, AAA offers a tow truck transport for would-be impaired drivers and their vehicle to a safe place within a 10 mile radius.
Tow to Go is limited to one person per vehicle and riders are required to wear a face mask.
It has removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers from the road. If you need the Tow to Go service, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
The service is free to both AAA members and non-members, but AAA asks that it be treated as a backup plan.
Forecasted numbers may change
AAA notes that the actual number of travelers could fluctuate as we approach the holidays. Some people may decide to stay home if there is an increase in reported COVID-19 cases or because of concerns about the omicron variant, while others may note the progress in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel. AAA recommends working with a travel advisor who can help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season. To get started and to learn more, visit AAA.com/Travel.
(WATCH BELOW: Traffic Team 9′s Mark Taylor explains the best and worst times to travel over holidays)
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Daily Worst and Best Times to Travel
| Date | Worst travel time | Best travel time |
|---|---|---|
| 12/23/21 | Noon-6 p.m. | After 7 p.m. |
| 12/24/21 | 2 p.m.-6 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
| 12/25/21 | Minimal congestion expected | |
| 12/26/21 | 1 p.m.-7 p.m. | Before noon |
| 12/27/21 | 5 p.m.-6 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
| 12/28/21 | 1 p.m.-7 p.m. | Before noon |
| 12/29/21 | 1 p.m.-7 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| 12/30/21 | 1 p.m.-7 p.m. | Before noon |
| 12/31/21 | 2 p.m.-4 p.m. | Before 1 p.m, after 5 p.m. |
| 1/1/22 | Minimal congestion expected | |
| 1/2/22 | 2 p.m.-6 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
AAA’s Tiffany Wright said more people are vaccinated now and it may be the first time they get to gather safely with family in more than a year. Inflation, gas prices, and traffic aren’t deterrents.
“They want to be reunited with their family, their friends, their loved ones. It’s not going to stop them,” Wright said.
She said it’s like this across the country and there are still more people who may decide to drive. That means the potential for more accidents and certainly more congestion.
“Double the time that you think it would take for you to typically drive to your destination when we are not talking about holiday travel,” Wright said.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol said it is preparing for the holiday season and for increased traffic across the state. During the coming weeks, troopers will proactively target dangerous driver behaviors like speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving.
>> ALSO READ: Holiday travel with kids: Top survival tips
Highway Patrol officials said they will increase their presence on highways in anticipation of the traffic.
“The safe travel of residents and visitors to our state is our highest priority this holiday season,” said Col. Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “By all roadway users joining in a commitment to safe driving, we can reach our ultimate goal of no lives lost due to preventable occurrences.”
As always, drivers can call the SHP by dialing *HP(47) if law enforcement assistance is needed.
Helpful Links:
(WATCH BELOW: Long lines slowing down holiday travelers at Charlotte Douglas)
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