The July Fourth travel rush is here. 40,000 flights have already been canceled or delayed
The Fourth of July travel rush is here, and it's shaping up to be the busiest ever.
Despite flight schedule cuts and lingering concerns about travel demand this summer, recent weeks have brought several of the busiest days ever at U.S. airports.
They've also brought plenty of headaches.
The more you know: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
This week, as summer thunderstorms have slammed pockets of the country, flight cancellations and delays have piled up. More than 40,000 departures have been scrapped or delayed since Saturday, according to data from FlightAware, affecting millions of passengers.
And that's with the peak Fourth of July rush still to come. How that goes will largely hinge on how Mother Nature cooperates.
Here's what to know about the crowds, the travel woes and how to prepare for one of the busiest weeks ever at U.S. airports.
Record-setting crowds
Summer began with a dark cloud, of sorts, hanging over the travel industry. Airlines warned of softening demand as consumers tightened budgets in the face of economic concerns.
Would airports be packed again after a few summers' worth of crushing demand?
Long story short, yes.
Sure, there are concerning signs remaining; look no further than the slew of route cuts we've seen airlines make.
But that doesn't mean you should wait until the last minute to get to the airport. Five of the 10 busiest days ever at U.S. airports have come since Memorial Day weekend, according to Transportation Security Administration data reviewed by TPG.
That included the single biggest travel day ever reported by the TSA on June 22, when more than 3 million passengers passed through checkpoints, topping the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.
Don't be surprised if that record falls again this week.
What are the busiest days to travel for July Fourth?
Thursday, the eve of the Fourth of July, is expected to be the peak of the holiday weekend rush, booking app Hopper projected in its holiday forecast.
Sunday and Monday should be the busiest days for travelers returning from their getaways, Hopper said.
So, plan on allowing extra time at the airport if you're flying on:
- July 3
- July 6
- July 7
Across all airlines, AAA predicted the number of Fourth of July flyers would top last year's record-setting mark by about 1.4%.
United Airlines, for one, expected to serve 6 million passengers between June 27 and July 7, up by half a million from last year, with an average of 4,800 flights per day.
A rough week for travel
Unfortunately, the holiday week did not get off on the right foot.
After an American Airlines computer glitch snarled that carrier's air traffic late last week, severe summer weather has proven to be the culprit over the last several days.
Between Saturday and Tuesday, airlines canceled more than 4,000 flights across the U.S., FlightAware showed.
All told, more than 40,000 flights had been affected by cancellations or delays since Saturday.
Read more: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
Storms rattled cities up and down much of the East Coast on Tuesday, with the Federal Aviation Administration predicting flight woes could stretch into Wednesday morning in the New York City region.
On Tuesday afternoon, the FAA had ground stops in place at some of the biggest East Coast hubs, including all three major airports in the Washington, D.C., and New York City regions.
Among them: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which in recent weeks had otherwise seen vastly improved operations, owing to the end of a runway construction project that had contributed to this past spring's chaos at the New Jersey hub.
However, it was a slow go at all major hubs in the region Tuesday.
More than a quarter of all departures were canceled at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, ground delays topped 100 minutes at nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), causing mounting cancellations — including a connection I'd booked for Tuesday night on a trip home from Europe.
What to do if you're traveling this week
So what should you do if you're traveling this week for the holiday or, like me, navigating the disruptions sparked by Mother Nature?
Head right to your airline's app when trouble pops up
Oftentimes, you can rebook yourself in just a few taps through the airline's app when your flight is delayed or canceled. When American notified me my connection out of JFK was canceled Tuesday, I rebooked myself within about 15 seconds on another flight.
Acting quickly also gave me a chance to book a hotel room near the airport — something many other travelers would presumably be looking to do, too.
Read more: Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do next
Keep the receipts and book with the right card
While airlines aren't likely to reimburse hotel nights, meals and other expenses that come up when bad weather leaves you stranded, there's still a way to get reimbursed.
Some of TPG's favorite rewards credit cards offer travel insurance for situations like these. Just remember: In most cases, you have to book the trip with that card.
I'm expecting to tap into protections I get through The Platinum Card® from American Express, which should at least eliminate the financial burden of these flight woes.
Keep your bags close
If you're traveling through a region that's expected to see storms — or at a time of day when storms are likely — I'd recommend against checking a bag.
By sticking with a carry-on, there's less risk of getting separated from your belongings if you have to make a last-minute change, or if that connection gets tighter than you expected.
Read more: How to track your luggage with Apple AirTags
Remember your refund rights
Under U.S. Department of Transportation policy, if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose not to travel, you're entitled to a full refund.
That means if your Fourth of July weekend departure Thursday gets canceled and you decide to throw in the proverbial towel on your trip altogether, you can stay home and get your money back.
You can also get a refund if you decide to scrap the flight and take the train or drive.
Just remember: If you accept rebooking from the airline, you likely won't be eligible for a refund— even if the flight is many hours later than planned.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
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