Excerpt from Reuters
The Transportation Security Administration said Friday it screened 2.658 million passengers on Thursday, the highest number in a single day since November 2019.
Industry group Airlines for America estimates a record 256.8 million passengers will fly in the June-August quarter, up 1% over the 254.6 million passengers in the same period in 2019.
"It is kind of our Super Bowl," United Airlines (UAL.O) Chief Operating Officer Toby Enqvist told Reuters.
No one wants a repeat of last December, when an operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) resulted in almost 17,000 flight cancellations, disrupting travel plans for 2 million customers.
The desire to travel for many is high, however.
Jihane Jeanty, 36, has planned trips to Florida, Mexico City and Asia this summer, thanks to her flexible work arrangement.
The Los Angeles-based marketing director is unconcerned about flight delays and cancellations even though they are "never fun."
"It does happen, so I really don't let it throw me anymore," she said.
Nearly a quarter of flights were either canceled or delayed last summer, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
A recent survey by consultant J.D. Power shows customer satisfaction with major airlines is down significantly. The industry is also facing heat from the Biden administration, which wants airlines to compensate passengers with cash for lengthy delays.
Click here to read complete article at Reuters.