Helpful Tips for the Record Winter Holiday Travel Period

Travel Tips

December 15, 2025

The winter holidays are quickly approaching, and U.S. airlines are prepared to welcome record-breaking travel and deliver highly anticipated cargo shipments.

Airlines for America (A4A) is projecting that U.S. airlines will transport nearly 53 million passengers over the winter holiday travel period (December 19–January 5), up 1.5 percent from the same time last year.

With an average of 2.9 million passengers expected to fly each day during the holiday, U.S. carriers will add 72,000 seats daily to meet that demand. In addition, cargo carriers are also hiring more personnel to meet demand during the peak shipping season.

“U.S. airlines have been planning for months and are ready for another record holiday travel season,” said Rebecca Spicer, A4A’s SVP of Communications. “We encourage passengers to download their carrier’s app as soon as they book a flight to ensure they receive important travel updates. Cargo carriers also offer apps which allow you to stay informed about key shipping deadlines, track a package and ensure gifts make it under the tree.”

To get into the holiday spirit, A4A encourages passengers to Carry On Kindness this holiday season. Small acts of kindness like holding the door, helping a passenger lift their bag into the overhead bin or just saying thank you to an airline worker can go a long way.

“We’re deeply appreciative of the more than one million men and women who will be working over the busy holiday to get you and your packages home safely,” said Spicer. “Amid the holiday hustle and bustle at airports, we encourage travelers to spread gratitude this holiday season.”

When planning for your holiday trip, here’s some tips to keep in mind:

Download your airline’s mobile app: Be sure your carrier’s app is on your phone! Carriers have been making significant investments in their technologies, making these apps the best way to receive updates about your travel plans.

Allow plenty of time: Airports across the country are going to be busy, with the busiest travel days this year expected to be Friday Dec. 19, Saturday Dec. 20, Sunday Dec. 21, Friday Dec. 26 and Sunday Dec. 28. Allow extra time to get to the airport, whether you are hailing a taxi, using an app or parking your own car.

Pack snacks and an empty water bottle: Be prepared by packing a snack and taking an empty water bottle that you can fill after you go through the security checkpoint.  

Enroll in TSA PreCheck: If you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, make sure the TSA checkmark is on your boarding pass for a faster and smoother experience at the security checkpoint.

Make sure you’re REAL ID compliant: TSA requires travelers to have a REAL ID, or other acceptable form of identification, to fly domestically. Be sure you have the proper documentation before you head to the airport.

Carry On Kindness: We’re all excited to go home for the holidays, which means airports will be busy. We encourage everyone to pack their patience and carry on kindness by offering a smile to a fellow traveler or thanking the hard-working men and women at the airport and on the plane who will be getting you home. A little act of kindness goes a long way.