Holiday Travel Tips - December 19, 2025
TOPIC 1: LET THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL COMMENCE! YEAR-END HOLIDAY TRAVEL EXPECTED TO BREAK RECORDS
- AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning December 20 and ending January 1. This year’s forecast is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.
- AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2% compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost.
- AAA projects a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. This will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.
- Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 9% with 4.9 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise. This category has seen a 25% increase since 2019, mainly due to the record-setting demand for cruises post-pandemic.
- https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/12/aaa-year-end-holiday-travel-forecast/
- TSA reminds people about RealID requires, advises them not to travel with wrapped presents and warns them not to wear sparkly sweaters. + travel insurance if worried about weather! https://13wham.com/news/local/travelers-reminded-of-real-id-requirements-as-holiday-airport-rush-begins-transportation-security-administration-tsa-confirmid
- TPG Holiday Travel Outlook: https://thepointsguy.com/news/holiday-travel-2025/
Call for: JMON Best/Worst times to travel before Christmas
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/12/aaa-year-end-holiday-travel-forecast/
Call for: FS Gas Prices now vs month, year ago
Today: $2.88
Month Ago: $3.09
Year ago: $3.04
Call for: JMON Travel Worries - TPG Survey
Of those planning travel, 88% have some concerns:
- Just over half (51%) are worried about weather delays
- 47% say they are worried about high volumes of travelers
- 32% are worried about airline delays and cancellations
- 26% are worried about packing
- 26% are worried about lost luggage
- 18% are worried about traveling with gifts
https://thepointsguy.com/news/holiday-travel-2025/
Call for: SOT Transportation Sec Duffy says controllers are ready for Christmas travel rush
Mornings with Maria / Thursday
MARIA BARTIROMO: I get the sense that you feel better about things today. After that shutdown. You feel better about travel going into the holidays next week? [08:56:08][15.0]
SEAN DUFFY: [08:56:09] I do, controllers are back in the towers., we're ready for Christmas. And again, we're still short, but we are fixing that around with you.
Call for: FS TSA post about sparkly sweaters
Post a comment