Air travel is up this holiday weekend, with 51 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more, according to AAA. That’s the highest number of travelers since 2005.
Airport officials said the Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest travel day of the year at Bradley International Airport.
This year, at 4:30 a.m., the line was past the cue. By 6 a.m. the line reached to the back of the building. The lines to check-in were just as long.
A second security checkpoint was opened up to alleviate the wait, and by 9 a.m. it was smooth sailing.
The early morning wait times took some businesses travelers by surprise. Hartford resident Qur-an Webb said he’s traveled on Sundays many times and didn’t realize this Sunday would be so busy.
"When I walked in here I didn’t expect to see such many people to be honest with you. I thought I’d be in an out," Webb said.
An airport spokesperson recommends travelers leave extra time to get to their gate, but for some that still may not be enough.
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"We like the early flights. We try to get out before the airport gets too crazy, and in November you never know with the weather so we like to be on like the first flight out of Bradley if we can," said Chicago resident Lauren Kinell.
Travelers should always check their flight status with their airline and give themselves plenty of time at the airport.
