Best and Worst Dates to Travel this Summer
The busiest days for summer travel this year
May 19, 2014— -- Get ready for larger airport crowds this summer. According to a survey by Orbitz.com, 88 percent of Americans are planning on taking summer vacations this year, an 11 percent increase from last year.
That’s good news for the economy and the well-being of Americans, but how do you avoid losing those happiness points during travel?
Book the right the dates!
Based on flight reservations made on Orbitz.com, the travel site compiled a list of the Top 10 Busiest Days for Summer Travel. It seems that after a brutal winter, and a more confident economic standing, vacationers are taking off as soon as possible. May 23rd, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, ranks as the top busiest travel day this summer.
“It’s been a little bit of a brutal winter. So Memorial Day is like a kick off holiday for the summer,” Marita Hudson Thomas, Orbitz Worldwide Director of Public Relations.
The first half of June will also be busy, with most flights booked on the 5th and 6th respectively. And then, of course, July 4th weekend. The holiday lands on a Friday this weekend, prompting vacationers to fly out by Thursday.
The survey found that 71% of travelers prefer to book their vacations during June and July rather than August, which leaves the month wide open for those still planning.
Plus, the other obvious benefit.
“If you think about it traveling in August is going to bring the cost down because demand drives prices.”Besides, it’s when the water’s warmest anyway.