The US is bracing for travel chaos over the holidays with a record number of people due to take to the roads and skies as winter storms loom in parts of the country.
Around 39 million passengers are expected to jet to destinations during the next two weeks, with airports preparing to receive up to 2.5 million every day.
The TSA expects a six per cent increase on the number of passengers compared to last year, with the busiest days projected to be December 21, 29, and January 1.
US airlines are gearing up for record traffic this holiday season, having beefed up staffing in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of last Christmas’s operational meltdown.
Huge lines have already begun to develop at Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Linthicum, Maryland, Newark in New Jersey and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport ahead of the rush.
Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore: Americans have been warned to expect travel chaos over the holidays as a record number of travelers are due to embark on journeys over the festive period at the same time winter weather sweeps in
Around 39 million passengers are expected to jet to destinations during the next two weeks, with airports preparing to welcome 2.5 million passengers every day according to the TSA
At Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Linthicum, Maryland lines had already begun to snake through the baggage hall
Pressure on the system is so great that traditional methods such a pre-check services which have historically saved travelers from airport headaches are now failing them.
Elsewhere, there are warnings of gridlock on the roads as 104 million people are expected to descend on highways in the coming days, according to AAA which estimates the busiest festive travel period yet.
And with just days to go, Christmas is already in jeopardy in New England, thanks to a massive storm which has battered northern parts of the region, knocking out power and leading to flooding.
At least seven people in East Coast states were killed in the storms with deaths reported in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Maine.
On Wednesday morning, a 61-year-old woman was found dead inside a truck that had been swept away Monday night and overturned while trying to cross the flooded Swift River in Mexico, Maine. A 20-year-old woman remained missing, authorities said.
That same day nine people, including a two-year-old child, were rescued along the swollen Crooked River in the Naples and Casco area.
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills said water levels were expected to drop in the coming days but they remained dangerously high and posed a serious risk in many parts of the state.
The Kennebec River, which runs through Augusta, and the Sandy, Swift, Carrabassett and Androscoggin rivers were all seeing higher water levels than typical, leading to damage and closures, the Maine Department of Transportation said.
Travel in Maine had already been jeopardized after a severe storm on Monday flooded rivers and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands. Pictured: A car floats in a flooded parking lot at the Hathaway Creative Center alongside the Kennebec River in Waterville, Maine.
Heavy rain across the East Coast killed at least seven people with deaths reported in Pennsylvania , New York, Massachusetts and Maine. Pictured: A resident in Hallowell, Maine. wades through the flood water to retrieve items.
Parts of the country have been issued a level 2 flash flood warning which threatens to derail travel plans further. Pictured: Sand bags sit on a street in Montpelier, Vt., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, a day after the threat of flooding hit the city again
The aftermath of the storm has left hundreds of thousands in the dark, closed ski resorts, washed out roads, closed bridges and caused families to throw away spoiled holiday food.
It is unclear when everyone will have power back, but officials and utilities in Maine have warned some will have to wait until the holiday.
Elsewhere winter storm warnings were issued over the weekend for parts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico with heavy snow forecast.
Up to two feet of snow is expected at higher altitudes in Flagstaff, AZ, but the National Weather Service is urging people to limit travel in all affected areas.
Meanwhile a Level 2 flash flooding threat has been issued from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas and into the central Gulf Coast for Christmas Eve.
Residents in the south including Georgia and across the Midwest, all the way up to Minneapolis, are being warned to take precautions with thunderstorms forecast into next week.
On the West Coast there is a threat of landslides and floods in California, as the Santa Ana winds could blow in heavy rain and snow which could bring travel disruption.
For those looking to avoid some of the chaos, travel experts recommend hitting the road as early as possible as disruption is often greatest around peak times.
US airlines are gearing up for record traffic this holiday season, having beefed up staffing in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of last Christmas’s operational meltdown. Pictured: passengers at Newark Airport in New Jersey attempt to beat the holiday rush
AAA expects around 104 million people to take to the roads over the holiday period, spelling the potential for gridlock. Pictured: Queues forming outside t O’Hare International Airport in Chicago
Penn Station, New York: Long lines were spotted at the transport hub even with trains running on time
The best days to set out have also been named as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as ‘these will be the least busy and the cheapest days to fly’ according to Hayley Berg, a lead economist at Hopper.
At the other end of the scale, she says December 21 and 22 will be the busiest days, ‘with more than 3.7 million seats scheduled to depart from US airports.’
She adds: ‘Airports will remain busy throughout the week following Christmas, as some holiday travelers head home from Christmas trips and others take off on New Year’s trips.’
Experts from Expedia US added recommend arriving as early as possible with at least 2 to 2.5 hours to spare before your boarding time.
For international flights, they recommend adding another hour on top of this.
Secondly, the travel pros advise signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to skip the lines at busy airports.
For new applicants, the TSA PreCheck fee costs $78 and appointments can be scheduled online.
However, with the number of users surging to more than 18 million passengers, a around 30% from 2022 according to CNN, even this will not necessarily guarantee a smooth transit.
Orlando, Florida: Experts have warned travelers to arrive up to 3.5 hours before flights to beat the crowds
Orlando, Florida: Massive lines have been spotted at TSA check points as millions of Americans take advantage of the PreCheck service
Air passengers are advised to pack light and only take a carry on to try and clamp down on delays
Sara Rathner, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, also reveals that some airlines offer expedited security access for an additional fee.
She explains: ‘United’s Premier Access offers exclusive security lanes, dedicated airport check-in lines and priority boarding starting at $15 per ticket.
‘Southwest’s Fly By Lane gets you access to the front of the ticket counter and security checkpoints at select airports. You get this when you buy a Business Select Fare or hold A-List or A-List Preferred Southwest elite status.’
Lastly, if possible, try to pack carry-on only.
An Expedia spokesperson told DailyMail.com: ‘I also always advise my friends and family to pack light and take a carry-on.
‘That way, there’s less chance your luggage gets lost in situations of delays or cancellations.