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Americans had to cancel travel and gatherings late last year due to the pandemic, and they are making up for it with holiday trips this year. This latest forecast, released by the American Automobile Association (AAA) mid-month, predicts that the peak holiday season will run from December 23rd to January 2nd. Approximately 109 million people will travel during the Christmas and New Year's week, a record increase from the 119 million travelers before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019.
Approximately 100 million people plan to travel by car during the year-end holidays, while another 3 million will opt for buses, trains, and cruises. Airlines are also forecasting impressive growth of 184% compared to last year. United Airlines said it plans to add 200 flights per day to handle the surge in passengers this month. The airline expects to carry nearly 420,000 people daily and around 8 million travelers throughout the holiday period.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear masks on airplanes, buses, trains, and in public areas.
While some locations in the US remain closed, many tourists are still choosing to travel to cities like New York, Orlando, Florida, and Los Angeles.
Although Americans remain concerned about the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of the new Omicron variant, widespread vaccination has made many feel more confident and comfortable about traveling. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (USA), "If you've been vaccinated, you don't need to change your vacation plans – even if the Omicron variant is spreading in the United States." Conversely, a small number of others may choose to stay home if Covid-19 cases continue to rise and make last-minute cancellations.
