Wisconsin holiday travel expected to hit pre-pandemic levels

In another sign of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday travel season is expected to be as busy as ever, despite rising gas and airfare prices.

“A lot of that hesitancy to travel does seem to be in the rear window right now,” said Nick Jarmusz, AAA director of public affairs.

According to AAA, the average price of gas is up 48 cents from last year around this time. Statewide, the organization forecasts 957,872 people will hit the roads this year, up by 3,199 from last year. Jarmusz said that number only applies to people traveling 50 miles or more from home.

“We think most people have so much pent-up demand and desire to get out there and travel, and these holidays are so important to see family, that people are going to make a way in their budget to either absorb or offset those costs so that they can still make their trip this year,” Jarmusz said.

While overall travel is expected to reach 2017 and 2018 levels, air travel in Wisconsin this year is projected to set a new record, Jarmusz said. This comes even as airfare prices rose by 25 percent this year.

Harold Mester, director of public affairs and marketing for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, said the airport’s busiest days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. He expects the number of outbound travelers to exceed the airport’s average — between 7,000-10,000 — on those days.

Mester said despite demand, some airlines are operating fewer flights due to staffing shortages among their pilot flight, attendant and ground crew staff.

“The airlines have adjusted their schedules and optimized their schedules to reduce any issues for flights that are delayed and canceled,” he said.

“They’ve kind of built in a little bit of extra slack in their schedules to deal with unexpected things. But you never know with weather and other challenges that could result in some delays or cancellations,” he continued.

Tips for stress-free travel

Leave early. AAA said Monday through Wednesday will see the biggest traffic during the afternoon and early evenings, but it’s lighter during the morning and late evening hours and on Thanksgiving Day.

The same advice applies for air travel. Mester recommends travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of the departure time, especially for those with checked bags.

“TSA is gearing up for what could be a record number of travelers over the last two or three years, so it’s important, if you’re traveling, to show up early,” he said. “Pack some patience, and understand if you’re traveling and departing early in the morning, for example, it may take a little bit longer to get through the security checkpoint.”

Mester suggests using the mobile app with the airline to retrieve your boarding pass and enroll in TSA PreCheck, which allows travelers to get through security checkpoints faster. He also recommends downloading the MKE Smart Phone app to make a reservation for parking.

Jarmusz also encouraged people to be mindful of the speed limits and stay focused on the road when driving.