Friday was 3rd busiest day at US airports during pandemic
Without any Thanksgiving turkey, New Year’s ball drop or Fourth of July fireworks on the horizon, the U.S. hit a COVID-19 travel milestone. Friday was the third busiest day for passenger volume at U.S. airports during the pandemic.
According to checkpoint data released daily by TSA, agents screened 2,297,374 passengers on Friday, March 11. The rise in passenger volume comes at a time when the weather is warming, travelers are embarking on spring vacations and COVID-19 numbers are improving. Many parts of the country have seen hospitalizations drop in recent weeks, with numerous localities, states and countries loosening restrictions.
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Nearly a pandemic record
While passenger traffic on Friday fell just short of peak pandemic volume seen on either side of Thanksgiving 2021, it far eclipsed even the heaviest volume during the 2021-22 Christmas and New Year’s holidays about a month later, when much of the country was experiencing a surge of the omicron variant.
Related: U.S. mask mandates going away. What's next?
Friday’s passenger traffic also topped any single day seen in the summer of 2021, when travel significantly increased nationwide as millions received vaccinations. And as a single day, Friday’s volume was up 62 percent compared to the same day in 2021.
TSA agents and airport officials alike were noticing increased volume even prior to Friday. In North Carolina, for instance, Raleigh-Durham International Airport shared on social media that two of its parking lots were at capacity.
In a social media post Thursday, the TSA’s Pacific region spokesperson pointed to current passenger volume being 86% of 2019 levels, adding “this consistency is further proof that the country is getting back to traveling by air after a near 2-year slowdown.”
Numbers point to continued travel surge
By all accounts, the recent increase in airport passenger traffic is not an anomaly. It’s also not the only sign travel is on the rise.
Last week, vacation rental site VRBO said its data indicates “the rush to book summer vacation homes is trending earlier than ever,” pointing to demand that has “further accelerated” in 2022 even after “the unprecedented early surge” in 2021.
Meanwhile, the World Travel & Tourism Council announced last month, its projections point to travel in 2022 exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 6.2%. The organization anticipates U.S. domestic travel and tourism spending to reach $1.1 trillion for the year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by more than 11%.
“We expect a welcome release of pent up travel & tourism demand,” president & CEO Julia Simpson said in a statement.
Related: Renting a car in 2022
Bottom line
It’s fair to say Friday was a ‘non-holiday’ pandemic air travel record. Plenty of signs point to it being an indication of what is to come as travelers feel more comfortable venturing out.
As demand surges, TPG recommends those planning a trip consider booking sooner rather than later. It’s also a good idea to take a look at what points and miles you may have accrued over the last couple years, and consider using them if you find a deal that gets you good value for your hard-earned points.
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How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees