5 Tips To Avoid Travel Delays Amid Growing Summer Crowds

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This summer travel season will be the busiest yet, with record crowds traveling by plane and by car in the coming weeks.

According to AAA, more Americans will travel during the week of July 4th than ever, with 43.2 million driving and 4.17 million flying. Another 3.36 million will travel by bus, cruise or train, which will also set a new record.

And while the week of July 4th will be the busiest, the summer travel crowds won’t abate until early September.

The US Secretary of Transportation has already warned of significant air travel delays this summer, and highways are busier than ever, causing traffic delays.

Here are five smart tips to avoid travel delays in the midst of dizzying crowds this summer, no matter how you travel:

1. Book flights early in the morning

Flight delays are a big problem right now. Massive crowds, ongoing FAA staff shortages, airline meltdowns, and more have contributed to a slew of delays already this summer.

One of the best ways to avoid a delayed flight is to book an early morning flight.

According to data from the US Department of Transportation, 86% of flights departing between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. are on time, while only 66% of flights departing between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Are punctual.

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When a flight is delayed it can create a ripple effect for flights later in the day, so making sure you’re on the first flight in the morning is a great way to avoid delays.

2. Avoid flight connections if possible

Another way air travelers can avoid delays this summer is to fly nonstop and avoid connections where possible.

Nonstop flights are much less risky than stopover flights. If your first flight is delayed, you risk missing the second leg of your trip and getting stuck somewhere other than your final destination.

If you can’t find a non-stop flight, at least opt for a flight with a longer layover to provide some buffer time in case your first flight is delayed.

3. Do not check luggage on flights

While checking bags isn’t directly related to the likelihood of your flight being delayed or cancelled, it’s still a good idea to travel only with carry-on luggage and skip checking your bags.

Because? Because if your flight is delayed or cancelled, having your luggage with you gives you maximum flexibility.

This helps you avoid the risk of lost baggage and also helps you avoid delays on the baggage carousel after a flight.

A young woman with luggage at an airport.

4. Drive? These are the best times to go

If you’re going to be driving around the 4th of July holiday, AAA offers useful guidelines to learn the best (and worst) times to hit the road.

You can apply this to any other weekend in the summer, as well as Labor Day weekend in early September.

Essentially, early morning or later at night (after 6 pm) are the best times to drive, especially for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

5. Arrive a day or two early for a cruise

Cruises are more popular than ever due to their relaxing and all-inclusive nature. But the last thing you want to do is miss out on your dream trip due to a flight delay.

If you’ll be flying into your cruise port, plan to arrive a day or two early and enjoy a bit of sightseeing.

You might think you have plenty of time to get there on a morning flight if you don’t have to be on the ship until 2pm or 3pm, but missing your cruise isn’t worth the risk.