PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — This weekend marks the beginning of what’s predicted to be the busiest holiday travel season in more than 20 years.
Air travel is up 1.6% from last year, with more than one million people expected to travel through Philadelphia International Airport this holiday season.
AAA said 90% of travelers will head to their holiday destination by car. That's up 2% from last year. The worst time to hit the road is from noon to 8 p.m. The best time is before 11 a.m.
Janea Tidwell, with AAA public affairs, said post-pandemic travel has rebounded each year significantly.
“People do not want to give up that time with family and friends, and at the year-end holidays, when many people have between 10 days and maybe even two weeks to work with, they may even squeeze in a destination vacation in the same amount of time.”
AAA advises those headed to the airport to get there two to three hours before a flight’s departure. And, with many people traveling with gifts, it’s good to know what items can and can’t be brought on a plane.
Deputy Federal Security Director Carrie Hazel said champagne, eggnog and wine should be packed in checked baggage. Don't wrap presents; put them in gift bags in case officers need to inspect them. And, while some may ask you to “bring us some figgy pudding,” that, unfortunately, is not allowed, as TSA officer Josh Spicer said it falls under the “spreadable item” category.
“So anything that can't hold its container by itself would have to be in a checked bag, or you just can't bring it through."
Holiday snow globes, while liquid, are allowed in your carry-on, but only if they’re under 3.4 ounces — about the size of a tennis ball. Gel candles are not permitted, but solid ones are.
And don’t worry, cookies, pies and fruitcakes are OK to carry on.
Hazel said be prepared when you arrive at the airport and have your REAL ID or passport ready. Other acceptable forms of identification can be found on TSA.gov.
Last year, a record 119.7 million people traveled between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, according to AAA.