LEXINGTON, Ky. — 115 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday season — the second highest year end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. 90% of travelers will drive to their destination, but many will choose to fly.

What You Need To Know

  • 115 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home this holiday season 

  • 104 million people will drive, 7.5 million people will fly 

  • Blue Grass Airport in Lexington has surpassed holiday travel numbers from 2022 

  • Blue Grass Airport sees 2,000 travelers a day

AAA predicts 7.5 million Americans will travel by plane to get to their destination this holiday season. It’s a 4.7% increase from last year.

Whether it’s their final destination or just passing through, Blue Grass Airport is in the middle of one of its busiest times of year.

“A lot of folks traveling for the holidays are going to end up at some of our major hubs; Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, just stopping there or on to their final destination,” said Community Relations Manager at Blue Grass Airport Lauren Simmerman.

Simmerman said this travel season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day has already surpassed numbers from 2022 locally. And they’re close to reaching pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.

“Our travel for the holiday season in November was actually a little bit busier than Christmas, but I think that might just be a testament to the days that the holiday fell on and folk staying home versus traveling,” Simmerman said.

On an average day, the airport sees 2,000 travelers arriving and departing on 30 different flights. Simmerman says the busiest days have been Thursday and Friday, with the last wave happening after New Year’s.

“Luckily, ourselves as well as the different partners on property as far as the airlines, rental car agencies, we’re all prepared for that,” Simmerman said.

Simmerman has advice for anyone flying with their gifts for loved ones.

“Do not wrap any of those gifts that you are carrying on with you; you’re definitely setting yourself up for the opportunity that TSA might need to open those gifts to inspect them so travel with those unwrapped and wrap them when you’re at your destination,” Simmerman said.

Anyone traveling back with gifts they received should check the TSA’s guidelines to see if it’s an item they can carry on or should go in their checked bag.

AAA says nearly 104 million people will drive to their destination, another 4 million will travel by another method.

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