JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The holiday frenzy is in full swing. Hundreds of travelers are packing the airports early on Wednesday, ahead of the busiest travel day of the year.
A TripAdvisor survey shows 51% of people are traveling for the holiday. That’s a 6% increase from last year. 23% of travelers are flying and 75% are driving.
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Across the board, flights at Jacksonville International Airport were on time early Wednesday morning. However, that can change no matter where you are flying. That's why you should always check your flight status with your airline.
Long lines formed early at security check-in. It's important to plan ahead and plan for the unexpected- whether that means traffic on the way to the airport, bad weather, or an issue with your luggage or ticket.
One couple from Valdosta, Georgia did just that. They spent the night in Jacksonville and got to the airport a couple hours before their 6:40 a.m. flight.
"We wanted to get here early, have coffee, and just chill," said Joyce Golden who is flying to Houston, Texas to visit her daughter. Golden has not flown since the 80’s so it was important for her to get to the airport on time and safely.
Several drivers near the Florida, Georgia line in Nassau County got an early start. Many of them are arriving in Florida after driving throughout the night.
According to TripAdvisior, 31% of people traveling left home Monday or Tuesday. 21% of people are set to travel Wednesday.
Thursday will be the busiest day at the airports and on the roads with 48% of people traveling on Thanksgiving Day. Most people who are driving to their destinations will travel 50 miles or less to visit family and friends.
“We don’t want to spend the whole day during the day traveling or driving so we want to make sure that we get over there and actually use the day time to spend with the family,” said Pablo Colon, a traveler who finds it best to drive overnight.
If you are planning to hit the road on the busiest travel day, Thanksgiving Thursday, plan your route in advance, bring snacks, get a full tank of gas before you get onto the interstate..