JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Across the country, the Transportation Security Administration expects Thursday to be one of the most hectic days for traveling as the official holiday travel period begins and lasts through Jan. 2.
Sue Matheu and her family were flying Thursday from Jacksonville International Airport to New York for Christmas -- something they’ve done for 21 years now.
She said what they do ahead of time makes their travel days smooth.
“Well, we drove in from Tallahassee late last night (and) stayed overnight here in Jacksonville so we can make it here on time today,” Matheu said. “If you prepare properly, you should be OK. We have a nonstop flight today, so we feel very fortunate.”
TSA expects to screen more than 2.5 million people each of the next three days. That’s up 6% from the same time last year and follows a busy Thanksgiving travel season.
TSA screened 30 million people during the Thanksgiving holiday and Nov. 26 -- the Sunday after Thanksgiving -- set a single-day record with 2.9 million people in one day.
TSA says the busiest days for the end of the year will be Thursday, Dec. 29 and New Year’s Day.
According to the travel app “Hopper,” the average flight in the United States right now costs $349 round trip, which is a 3% increase from last year.
The cheapest days to fly are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The most expensive days to fly are Friday (Dec. 22) and Tuesday (Dec. 26).
To help ease the rush, TSA encourages people to pack lighter if they can and when they get to airports have what they need easily accessible and ready to go. Things like your license, passport and other items necessary to check in.