Travelers taking to the skies today are expected to face the busiest air travel day of July, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecasting over 56,000 flights nationwide.
The FAA's latest forecast calls for 56,311 flights, just eight fewer than the 56,319 flights recorded on June 25, the busiest day of the year so far.
The timing may surprise some travelers, with the busiest flying day of the month falling nearly a week after the Fourth of July rather than during the holiday weekend itself.
New York-based travel expert suggests the unusual travel spike reflects shifting summer vacation patterns following the Fourth of July holiday.
The expert attributes the surge to peak summer vacation travel and people returning from extended Fourth of July trips, which has added up to a ridiculously busy travel day in a normally very busy time of the year.
He also suggests that travelers who delayed their return flights may have benefited from lower fares, as off-days are generally cheaper for flying.
Travelers can take steps to navigate the crowds by booking nonstop flights whenever possible and choosing early morning departures, which are generally less likely to be affected by delays that build throughout the day.
Choosing nonstop flights can help minimize the risk of delays, as connections multiply the chances that something will go wrong.
