WASHINGTON (TVR) — A record 151 million people will fly for Spring Break travel this year, new projections show, prompting airlines to race to add more than a hundred-thousand extra seats per day to their routes.
The spring surge is thanks to “persistently low fares, unsurpassed levels of investment in the product, increasing competition, and unprecedented access for passengers of all regions, age groups, and income levels,” Airlines for America Chief Economist John Heimlich said in a statement.
The industry trade group also credits the “expanding economy, employment gains and surging household net worth” for the expected growth in air travel, which would come on the heels of a record number of passengers flying in both 2017 and 2016.
Key time periods in 2017, such as summer and Thanksgiving, also saw a deluge of air passengers.
Last year also marked the safest year in aviation history, with no passenger jet crashes anywhere in the world; however, there have already been three fatal commercial aviation crashes so far in 2018.
–>WATCH: How We Save 50%-80% Off Every Flight
–>RELATED: Airlines Now Enforcing Stricter Comfort Animals Rule
Airlines Add Capacity for Spring Break Travel
Airlines are adding capacity to deal with the imminent spike in air travel, even outpacing the forecasted demand by about 21%.
Carriers say they will expect to see an average of 94,000 additional passengers per day and will add 114,000 seats each day to accommodate.
“There has never been a better time to fly, as evidenced by the record number of 151 million flyers expected to travel this spring,” Heimlich said.
A4A, as the trade group is known, considers the Spring Break travel period to be between March 1 and April 30.
It expects a 4% increase when compared to 2017 Spring Break travel, for a total of 150.7 million passengers — nearly two and a half million per day.
–>TIPS: When to Consider Buying Travel Insurance
–>SAVE: How to Save Money on Car Rentals
–->SUPPORT: Help Support Our Journalism & Original Content
Family Travel Expected to Grow
In addition to the strong showing for Spring Break travel, family travel in 2018 is expected to grow, as well.
A survey by AAA found 88 million Americans plan to take family travel this year, despite gas prices in the continental U.S. being the most expensive since 2014.
Road trips remain the most popular form of family vacations, with 64% expecting to hit the road for their getaway.
Nearly three-quarters of families are looking for destinations they have not visited before.
AAA says it conducted the survey of 1,005 adults by landline and mobile phones.
-–>SIGN UP: For more news, get The Voyage Report newsletter for FREE
–>RELATED: Passport Fee for Americans Rising Within Weeks; 40% Hike
–>TIPS: The Best, Must-Have Travel Apps
