The US is bracing for travel chaos this holiday season, with record numbers of people taking to the roads and skies as winter storms loom in parts of the country.
About 39 million passengers are expected to fly to destinations over the next two weeks, with airports preparing to receive up to 2.5 million passengers per day.
The TSA expects a six percent increase in passenger numbers over last year, with the busiest days expected to be December 21, 29 and January 1.
US airlines are bracing for record holiday traffic after boosting their workforces in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last Christmas' operational meltdown.
Huge lines have already been developed at Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Linthicum, Maryland, Newark in New Jersey and Chicago's O'Hare Airport, even before the rush.
Americans have been warned to expect travel chaos this holiday season, as record numbers of travelers will embark on holiday trips as winter weather takes hold.
About 39 million passengers are expected to fly to destinations over the next two weeks, with airports preparing to welcome 2.5 million passengers each day according to the TSA
At Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Linthicum, lines from Maryland began snaking through the baggage claim area on Friday
The pressure on the system is so great that traditional methods such as pre-check services, which have historically saved travelers from airport headaches, are now falling short.
Elsewhere, traffic congestion warnings are being issued as 104 million people are expected to hit the highways in the coming days, according to AAA, which estimates the busiest festive travel period yet.
And with just days to go, Christmas is already in jeopardy in New England, thanks to a massive storm that has battered northern parts of the region, knocking out power and causing flooding.
At least seven people in East Coast states died in the storms, with deaths reported in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Maine.
On Wednesday morning, a 61-year-old woman was found dead in a truck that was swept and overturned Monday evening while trying to cross the flooded Swift River in Mexico, Maine. A 20-year-old woman is still missing, authorities said.
That same day, nine people, including a two-year-old child, were rescued along the swollen Crooked River in the Naples and Casco area.
Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills said water levels are expected to recede in the coming days but remain dangerously high and pose a serious risk in many parts of the state.
The Kennebec River, which runs through Augusta, and the Sandy, Swift, Carrabassett and Androscoggin rivers all experienced higher than normal water levels, leading to damage and closures, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.
The storm's aftermath has left hundreds of thousands of people in the dark, closing ski resorts, washing out roads, closing bridges and causing families to throw away spoiled holiday food.
It's unclear when power will be restored to everyone, but officials and utilities in Maine have warned that some will have to wait until the holidays.
Travel in Maine was already in jeopardy after a massive storm Monday flooded rivers and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people. Pictured: A car floats in a flooded parking lot at the Hathaway Creative Center along the Kennebec River in Waterville, Maine.
Heavy rains on the East Coast have killed at least seven people, with deaths reported in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Maine. Pictured: A resident of Hallowell, Maine. wades through the floodwaters to retrieve items.
Parts of the country have been issued a Level 2 warning for flash flooding, threatening to further derail travel plans. Pictured: Sandbags litter the streets of Montpelier, Virginia, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, a day after the threat of flooding hit the city again
Elsewhere, winter storm warnings were issued this weekend for parts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico where heavy snow was forecast.
Up to 2 feet of snow is expected at higher elevations in Flagstaff, Arizona, but the National Weather Service is urging people to limit travel in all affected areas.
Meanwhile, a Level 2 flash flood threat has been issued for Christmas Eve from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas and to the central Gulf Coast.
Residents in the South, including Georgia, and in the Midwest, all the way to Minneapolis, are being warned to take precautions as thunderstorms are forecast into next week.
On the West Coast, there is a threat of landslides and flooding in California as Santa Ana winds could bring heavy rain and snow, causing travel disruptions.
For those wanting to avoid some of the chaos, travel experts recommend heading out as early as possible, as disruption is often greatest around peak times.
The best days to hit the road are sometimes called Christmas Eve or Christmas Day because “these are the least busy and cheapest days to fly,” said Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper.
At the other end of the spectrum, she says December 21 and 22 will be the busiest days, “with more than 3.7 million seats departing from U.S. airports.”
US airlines are bracing for record holiday traffic after boosting their workforces in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last Christmas' operational meltdown. Pictured: Passengers at Newark Airport in New Jersey try to avoid the holiday crowds
AAA expects about 104 million people to take to the roads during the holiday season, indicating a potential traffic jam. Pictured: Lines form outside Chicago's O'Hare International Airport
She added: 'Airports will remain busy throughout the week after Christmas as some holidaymakers return home from Christmas trips and others head off on New Year's trips.'
Expedia US experts added recommend that you arrive as early as possible, with at least 2 to 2.5 hours to spare before your boarding time.
For international flights they recommend adding another hour.
Second, travel pros recommend signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to skip the lines at busy airports.
For new applicants, the TSA PreCheck fee costs $78 and appointments can be scheduled online.
However, now the number of users increases to more than 18 million passengers, an increase of approximately 30% from 2022 according to CNNeven this does not necessarily guarantee smooth transit.
Sara Rathner, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, also reveals that some airlines offer expedited security access for an additional fee.
She explains: “United's Premier Access offers exclusive security lanes, dedicated airport check-in lines and priority boarding from $15 per ticket.
'With Southwest's Fly By Lane, you get access to the front of the ticket counter and security checkpoints at select airports. You will receive this if you purchase a Business Select Fare or have A-List or A-List Preferred Southwest elite status.”
Finally, if possible, try to pack only carry-on luggage.
An Expedia spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'I always advise my friends and family to pack light and take carry-on luggage.
'This reduces the chance that your luggage will be lost in the event of delays or cancellations.