Frustrated flyers take note: the latest estimates by trade group Airlines for America projects a record breaking summer for air travel.
A4A predicts 231.1 million passengers will fly on US airlines between June 1 and August 31, up 4% on last year’s previous best.
That equates to an average of 95,500 more passengers per day compared to summer 2015, with seat capacity up by a similar amount.
"It has been a challenging spring with fliers waiting in lines that take more than 60 to 90 minutes to get through security," said Sharon Pinkerton, A4A’s senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs.
A4A recently launched the ihatethewait.com website, calling on travelers to post images of the long lines at passenger screening to raise awareness among lawmakers and to help fellow passengers better plan ahead.
"We saw airfares fall throughout 2015 and that trend continued in the first three months of 2016. Air travel is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible," said John Heimlich, the trade group’s chief economist.
And, increasingly time consuming it seems, with 90 minute screening delays the new normal at many airports.
