The American Automobile Association (AAA) has released its 2023 US holiday forecast which highlights the busiest period for domestic air travel since its records began in 2000.
AAA projected 7.5 million passengers moving through US airports during the 10-day year-end holiday season, surpassing the 2019 record of 7.3 million passengers.
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The average cost of round-trip tickets was recorded as “slightly lower” than previous years. As recorded, a round-trip to Orlando for the holidays is $613, down from $735 in 2019, according to AAA booking statistics.
However, AAA noted prices depend on your “desired route and destination.”
Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel said the prediction was in line with travel trends all year.
Twidale said: “This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travellers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023.”
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By GlobalData“More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”
According to the association, the number of people travelling in other modes such as trains or cruises will also surpass 2019 levels.
This represents a 2.2% increase from 2022 levels and remains the second-highest number since the AAA began recording travel in 2000.
Nicholas Wyatt, Head of Research & Analysis, Travel & Tourism said the prediction was “no surprise.”
Wyatt said: “The COVID-19 pandemic kept many families apart for an extended period, particularly in cases where family members don’t live near one another. This caused many to reassess their holiday habits and to prioritise spending time with loved ones and exploring new places.
“It’s therefore no surprise that the AAA is projecting record volumes of travellers over the holidays, with around 90% expected to travel by road. This is very much in line with US domestic travel trends in general, with GlobalData projecting 90.6% of all domestic travel to be undertaken by land in 2023”.
