The bustling holiday travel period has commenced as countless individuals embark on journeys to reunite with family and friends. Both the highways and airports are teeming with activity this weekend.
This season is anticipated to set a new benchmark for the number of travelers.
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AAA indicates that Sunday, between 1 and 7 p.m., presents the most challenging travel window. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is bracing for a massive influx, with hundreds of thousands expected to pass through its terminals as the holiday rush gets into full swing.
On Sunday alone, O’Hare is set to accommodate over 263,000 travelers, reflecting the continuing trend of record-breaking travel numbers nationwide with each passing holiday season.
Traveler Jeff Brown shared, “We’re heading to France for Christmas, staying through New Year. Instead of gifts, we’re investing in memories.”
Meanwhile, Talal Awartani revealed his plans, saying, “I’m traveling to Cairo, Egypt, to see my family and celebrate my cousin’s wedding… on Christmas Day.”
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, air travel between both of Chicago’s airports is expected to be up 6% compared to the same period last year.
But it’s not just the skies that are busy, so too are the roads. In Illinois alone, some 5.7 million people will be hitting the tollways between now and January 1.
“Yet again, we’ve done it,” AAA spokesperson Molly Hart said. “Whether it was thanksgiving, for Christmas and year end, we are breaking records. People are getting on the planes, getting on the road and taking other modes of transportation.”
The good news is, despite the long lines and the crowds, delays at O’Hare Sunday were kept at a minimum, averaging only 15 minutes, with very few cancellations being reported.
For one young family off to London, that news was music to their ears.
“First time with our 15-month old, taking the longest trip that he’s ever taken so far,” traveler Ami Modi said.
While Sunday was the busiest air travel day at O’Hare, at Midway Airport, otherwise known as the “busiest square mile in aviation,” crowds aren’t expected to peak until December 27. Either way, allowing plenty of time and patience will be key over the next two weeks.
