Its gonna be a crazy travel summer. Im already seeing it
May 16, 2024, 2:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Its gonna be a crazy travel summer. Im already seeing it
Airports have been packed the last two weeks. Weather issues at DEN last week and DFW this week have resulted in clubs being standing room only at a variety of airports. TSA numbers seem to be up. Everyone is still going to Europe this summer. Efforts to reduce club crowding either havent worked or dont really start until next year.
Plan accordingly. The recession in leisure travel never happened - it just kept growing
Plan accordingly. The recession in leisure travel never happened - it just kept growing
May 17, 2024, 5:17 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Airports have been packed the last two weeks. Weather issues at DEN last week and DFW this week have resulted in clubs being standing room only at a variety of airports. TSA numbers seem to be up. Everyone is still going to Europe this summer. Efforts to reduce club crowding either havent worked or dont really start until next year.
Plan accordingly. The recession in leisure travel never happened - it just kept growing
Plan accordingly. The recession in leisure travel never happened - it just kept growing
Travel has always been my wife and I's passion and hobby, but to be honest we are beginning to envision a time when that becomes less true and we need to find another hobby.
Regards
May 17, 2024, 7:41 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 979
Depending upon weather but I agree it's going to be as bad as last year, which was awful. Packed airports, consistent delayed flights, dirty and packed airline clubs, poor human behavior, etc. It's one reason I'm buying cash upgrades unless unreasonably priced. Also, limiting time at the airline club because in some ways it's worst than the gate areas.
May 17, 2024, 7:48 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2011
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I wonder about this. Certainly the lounges are packed, but on the other hand, there seems to be a fair amount of business class saver awards for this summer. Ive booked several TATLs. Maybe leisure travelers are not flying as much J? Though when looking at expertflyer seat maps, loads seem light in all classes on a lot of flights one or two months out, particularly EU carriers. Maybe lounge crowding is more affected by people being more aware of them and being in the habit of arriving earlier at the airport and having longer connections post-COVID?
May 17, 2024, 8:05 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
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I wonder about this. Certainly the lounges are packed, but on the other hand, there seems to be a fair amount of business class saver awards for this summer. Ive booked several TATLs. Maybe leisure travelers are not flying as much J? Though when looking at expertflyer seat maps, loads seem light in all classes on a lot of flights one or two months out, particularly EU carriers. Maybe lounge crowding is more affected by people being more aware of them and being in the habit of arriving earlier at the airport and having longer connections post-COVID?
Short answer is: J availability probably doesn't tell the whole story on lounge crowding.
Regards
May 18, 2024, 11:05 am
#6
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Isn’t every summer busy with travel except maybe 2020 and 2021. Maybe it’s warmer for usa and Europe which makes it less fun. I believe Asia is already always warmer so warmer will just be less fun and yet people still enjoy the travel. Plus Taylor performs in London so those who didn’t go to Paris in May will go to London in June. Add Olympics which isn’t annual so that adds to more.
I myself sincerely hope to have zero airplane stuff this summer. We will drive from sf to Anaheim for my son’s team’s tournament. I’m glad to not fly.
I myself sincerely hope to have zero airplane stuff this summer. We will drive from sf to Anaheim for my son’s team’s tournament. I’m glad to not fly.
May 18, 2024, 9:47 pm
#7
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I know this because whilst we’re away contributing to the crazy numbers of visitors to Tokyo this August a Spanish friend of mine will have the key to my flat so that she can accompany her Swifty daughter to one of those shows and avoid the crazy accommodation prices in London.
July has K Pop’s Stray Kids headline Hyde Park, and I know this because the 15 year old we are hosting that month is keenly aware. It means we’ll be camped outside the perimeter on a picnic rug for the day, saturated in the overspill of screams, so, so many screams 😱
May 21, 2024, 7:43 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,748
I'm trying to figure out why it's near impossible to find a reasonably priced hotel room in Edinburg in September or early October. I can understand crowds during the summer, when schools are out, but from the second week of September until mid October in Scotland? 
May 22, 2024, 8:55 am
#9
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
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U.S. airline lounges are pretty much always packed, especially in hubs. Obviously more so in summer than on a rainy Tuesday in March. But I think overall it's less to do with travel volume and more to do with the popularity of the 'mileage/status game' in the U.S. and the fairly widespread awareness of it (compared to the rest of the world).
May 24, 2024, 9:11 am
#11
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I refuse to fly domestic for vacation in the summer, no point when there is already good weather at home. let the masochists fight among themselves
now if I can score F long haul and get priority everything, well ....
now if I can score F long haul and get priority everything, well ....
May 25, 2024, 8:01 am
#12
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nyt has articles about hot Europe including anecdotes of cooler Northern Europe except reader comments also mention that its hot up north. So for summer travelers, dont forget about being able to adjust to weather changes.
F long haul still isnt fun if its super full.
my goal is to not fly but just drive. Last year we had Chicago trip while my wife had severe plantar fasciitis. It was so exhausting for me that Ill use it as my excuse to refuse to fly because why spend so much on flights just so I can cater care? Id rather do that at home and save that flight & hotel money. Not fully enjoyable for me even with the ultra fun DO.
my goal is to not fly but just drive. Last year we had Chicago trip while my wife had severe plantar fasciitis. It was so exhausting for me that Ill use it as my excuse to refuse to fly because why spend so much on flights just so I can cater care? Id rather do that at home and save that flight & hotel money. Not fully enjoyable for me even with the ultra fun DO.
May 26, 2024, 1:41 am
#13
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May 26, 2024, 9:30 am
#14
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May 26, 2024, 9:48 am
#15
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