This Memorial Day weekend set records for passenger traffic at US airports, with over 2.4 million people passing through TSA checkpoints each day. This could be a sign of a busy summer of travel ahead, with five of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA history occurring in the past two weeks alone. The four-day Memorial Day weekend in 2019 saw approximately 9.5 million passengers screened, which rose to just above 9.8 million in 2023. This year, the figure is expected to rise well above 10 million, making it the busiest summer in the TSA’s history. Despite high inflation in recent years, airline fares have dropped slightly, making travel more affordable for some Americans.
In addition to air travel, AAA projected a record number of 38.4 million people taking road trips over the long weekend. Gas prices have remained fairly steady in recent weeks, with the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline at $3.59, just a penny higher than last year. However, this price is cheaper than both last Memorial Day and the 10-year average for the holiday. US gasoline demand reached 9 million barrels for the week ending May 25, up slightly from the previous year. Gas Buddy estimates the current demand at 9.03 million barrels per day, which is lower than levels seen in the late 2010s.
The Transportation Security Administration saw record-setting traveler data on Friday and Thursday, making this Memorial Day weekend the busiest on record. The four-day weekend in 2019 had approximately 9.5 million passengers screened, which rose to just above 9.8 million in 2023. This year, the figure is expected to exceed 10 million, pointing towards a busy summer of travel ahead. Despite concerns over inflation, airline fares have actually dropped slightly, making travel more affordable for some Americans.
In addition to air travel, a record number of over 38 million people were projected to take road trips over the Memorial Day weekend. Gas prices, which have remained relatively stable in recent weeks, were slightly higher than last year but still lower than the 10-year average for the holiday. US gasoline demand has reached 9 million barrels per day, a slight increase from the previous year but lower than levels seen in the late 2010s. Gas Buddy estimates the current demand at 9.03 million barrels per day, indicating a slight decrease compared to previous years.
Despite the challenges posed by high inflation, Americans are still eager to travel and spend on leisure activities. Airline fares have decreased slightly in April and are down more than 1% from February 2020, providing some relief for budget-conscious travelers. This holiday weekend saw record numbers of travelers passing through TSA checkpoints, hinting at a busy summer of travel ahead. AAA projected a surge in road trips, with gas prices remaining steady and slightly lower than previous Memorial Day figures. While Americans may be feeling the pinch, they are still willing to spend on travel experiences, making the summer travel season one to watch.
