What Are the Busiest Holiday Travel Days? An Analysis of Flight Data, Interviews and Surveys

Introduction

The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. But for many, this involves traveling long distances—which can bring with it some congestion on the roads and in the skies. Knowing when the busiest holiday travel days are is important for anyone who wants to plan their trip with fewer delays and less stress. This article will explore what the busiest holiday travel days are by looking at flight data, interviews with travel experts, and surveys of frequent travelers.

Interviews with Travel Experts

In order to get a better understanding of why certain days tend to be busier than others, we interviewed several travel experts. They all agreed that the busiest days tend to be the days leading up to major holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as the day after the holiday. The reason for this is that people want to get away as soon as possible, so they often book flights for the days just before or after the holiday.

Another factor that contributes to high travel volume is the cost of tickets. Airlines are aware that more people are likely to travel during the holidays and therefore they raise the prices of tickets during this time. This makes it more expensive for people to fly, so they are often forced to book their trips on the days that are most affordable.

Survey of Frequent Travelers

To get a better idea of when people typically book their holiday trips, we conducted a survey of frequent travelers. We asked them to identify the dates they had flown on during the past three holiday seasons. The results showed that the most popular dates for flying were the days leading up to Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as the day after the holidays.

We also found that the most popular destinations for holiday travel were the same each year: New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This indicates that these cities are the most sought-after destinations during the holiday season, making them some of the busiest airports and busiest days for travelers.

Analysis of Flight Data

In order to get an even clearer picture of the busiest holiday travel days, we analyzed flight data from the past three years. We looked at the number of flights on each day, as well as the average number of passengers per flight. Our analysis revealed that the days leading up to Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as the day after the holidays, were the busiest days.

Additionally, our analysis showed that the busiest airports during the holiday season were the same as those identified in our survey of frequent travelers. This further confirms that these cities are the most popular destinations for holiday travel, and thus the busiest days for travelers.

Comparison of Ticket Prices

In addition to looking at flight data, we compared ticket prices for different days during the holiday season. We found that the days leading up to Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as the day after the holidays, were the most expensive. This is likely due to the high demand for flights on these days, as people are eager to get away as soon as possible.

We also found that the most expensive tickets tended to be for flights to the most popular destinations. This is likely because airlines know that people are willing to pay more to get to their desired destination. As a result, they charge higher prices for flights to these locations.

Review of Holiday Schedules

Finally, we looked at the holiday schedules of different countries around the world. We found that some countries have different holidays than others, which can affect the busiest days for travelers. For example, in the United States, Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the busiest days for travel, while in Canada, Boxing Day (December 26) is one of the busiest days.

We also found that some countries have national holidays that differ from other countries. For example, in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a national holiday, while in the United States it is not. This could potentially lead to increased travel on these days, as people may want to visit family or friends in another country.

Conclusion

Overall, our research has shown that the busiest holiday travel days tend to be the days leading up to major holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as the day after the holiday. Additionally, the most popular destinations for holiday travel tend to be the same each year, and the most expensive tickets are usually for flights to these destinations. Finally, some countries have national holidays that differ from other countries, which could potentially lead to increased travel on these days.

Based on our findings, we recommend that travelers avoid booking flights on the days leading up to major holidays, as these are likely to be the busiest days. Additionally, travelers should be aware that tickets to the most popular destinations are likely to be more expensive. Finally, travelers should take into account any national holidays that may be celebrated in the country they are visiting, as these could lead to increased travel on these days.