2025 Summer Travel Has Breaked Records: The Most Important Tips for Our Staying Sense
Memorial Day weekend marks the informal start of the busy summer travel season. Despite some warnings about a drop in demand, summer travel kickoff is another one for record books.
May 23, Friday before the long holiday weekend, is the third day of Ball in history for the Transport Safety Administration, and the agency will screen more than 3 million people.
If there are any signs on Memorial Day weekend, it will be a busy summer for domestic and international travel.
Record summer travel expectations
American Airlines predicts that there is another record summer travel season, he told TPG: “From June 1 to August 31, American Airlines will carry 272 million passengers. To meet that demand, American Airlines will operate 27,000 flights a day, a 4% increase from last year.” That was 1,000 flights year-on-year.
To give some context, the A4A estimates that 271 million people will travel in 2024, compared to the previous year just $255 million.
Related: Find the best summer flight deals: How to score cheap air tickets even at the last minute
“Premium and international demand are expected to remain strong this summer, with the highest foreign destinations for American Airlines expected to be Mexico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom and Italy,” A4A said.
Despite a series of thunderstorms that resulted in delays and cancellations in Colorado and Texas, American Airlines performed quite well on the long Memorial Day weekend. There is no system in which the systems we see in 2022 and 2023, airlines seem to be recovering faster.
However, it’s better to prepare anything. Here are some of my main tips to help you stay sane this summer.
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Preparing parking
As travel demand increases, so does airport parking. We are increasingly seeing “sold out” signs popping up in many airport parking lots.
To make sure you are not stuck looking for a location that may or may not exist, lock the reservation immediately. Most airport parking lots offer prepaid or reserved parking, making bookings in advance. You may even find the price cheap when you book in advance.
Related: Don’t forget to do this before heading to the airport this summer
Leave extra time
This summer, it will be very busy and you should plan accordingly. While we haven’t seen a shortage of people a few years ago, there are only so many luggage handlers, ticket counter staff and security screeners. Remember that the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers is messing with things and causing delays and cancellations at airports such as Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
My mantra this summer (one shared by my TPG colleagues) is that you are better than regretting. That’s why we recommend getting domestic flights two hours in advance and international flights three hours in advance – you never know these days. There are so many conveniences and attractions in the modern airport, and in the lounge or even shopping isn’t the worst thing to do.
Related: How to Find Cheap Summer Flight Deals
Get Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Clear- or all 3
At TPG, we always recommend using any security shortcuts, including participating in trusted traveler programs like TSA Precheck or Global Ground.
Through these programs, the government essentially provides you with security and saves you time during your travels. You need to apply in advance and pay the fee. The good news, though, is that many credit cards will provide you with a statement credit for these fees.
Related: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA Precheck, global entries and clear ways to
TSA Precheck allows you to speed up airport security without removing shoes, laptop or liquids. Meanwhile, with global entry, you can gently browse customs when you return on international travel.
We recommend getting global entry, not just TSA Precheck. Global entries require an advance interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but once approved, will include TSA Precheck.
We also like Clear, another security program that allows you to bypass secure lines. While clarity is not always faster, it usually still leads to shorter lines. A clear membership combined with TSA Precheck will enable you to move Faster At the airport designated clearance/TSA Precheck line.
Related: Why Get TSA Precheck and Clear – and How to Save Both
Be smart when booking
Things can and are done wrong. Today, travelers must be their own best advocates.
Book better
Consider each booking you make. Try to find an uninterrupted flight instead of a flight with multiple connections to reduce the risk of missing flights or delays. This will also reduce the chances of your luggage being lost or misplaced.
We also recommend taking one of the first flights of the day, as early flights are less likely to face weather disruptions such as afternoon thunderstorms – meaning they are more likely to depart on time.
Related: Flight cancellation or delay? This is the next step
Knowledge is power
Make sure you are tracking flights and weather.
Download your airline’s mobile app to track potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is your secret weapon in case something goes wrong. Not only do you know when to start boarding, but you will also learn about any delays first. Some airlines can even let you rebook yourself (or purchase an upgrade) in the app – if you cancel your flight you will need to beat everyone else who also wishes to rebook.
If cancelled or delayed, we recommend you go to the main customer service desk as soon as possible (in the lounge or lounge service desk if you can access it). If there is a delay, you can also call the airline or contact the carrier via social media. Sometimes, an airline’s social media representative will help you faster than a phone or face-to-face agent. When problems occur, you must use each tool.
Many airlines now also have live chat features to help navigate latency and cancellation.
If the flight is cancelled or delayed, there is always an alternative plan (or two) in my mind. I also want to see other airlines flying the route I’m taking in case something goes wrong. That way, I’ll know if I need to rebook.
I also like to use Flighttradar24 to track my flights, as well as an app called Flighty. The latter helps me keep an eye on the flights and usually tell me before anyone else (even the airline) if I have a problem with my flight.
You can also use Google to track your flights. Simply put the airline and flight number to view your flight status.
Understand your rights
Good news about passenger rights: The latest Ministry of Transport rules set out last spring are perfect for passenger-friendly, requiring airlines to return passengers immediately when canceling flights (or making major adjustments to schedules).
If you pay with a credit card, you are entitled to a full refund within one week and use another payment method within three weeks. If flying within the United States, it is applicable for flights with three or more delays, if flying internationally for at least six hours. Remember, though, that airlines only need to refund passengers who do not use tickets. If you accept the airline’s rebooking option, you will receive a refund.
If you find yourself dealing with delays or cancellations, remember to save receipts for all receipts. If it crashes, you will need excellent documentation, such as one passenger that Southwest Airlines passengers experience during the winter holidays of 2022.
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