Presidents Day falls on the third Monday of February, giving many staff a three-day weekend. It is a prime time for journey, particularly for these seeking to escape winter’s chill. However whereas the vacation weekend sees a surge in vacationers, some days are considerably busier than others.
A NerdWallet evaluation of Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) checkpoint information reveals that Presidents Day has related journey traits as different lengthy weekends, like Labor Day. Friday tends to be the busiest day for flying, adopted by the Monday vacation.
If you wish to keep away from the worst of the crowds — and perhaps even save on airfare — it helps to be strategic about whenever you fly. NerdWallet calculated the typical passenger volumes at TSA checkpoints from 2022 to 2024 over a 15-day interval, together with Presidents Day and the week earlier than and after. Right here’s how these airport journey days rank from most to least crowded.
Flying earlier than Presidents Day
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Friday earlier than. (2.46 million passengers.)
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Sunday earlier than. (2.29 million.)
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Thursday earlier than. (2.28 million.)
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Tuesday earlier than. (1.66 million.)
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Wednesday earlier than. (1.9 million.)
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Saturday earlier than. (2.02 million.)
Flying on or after Presidents Day
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Presidents Day (Monday). (2.44 million passengers.)
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Sunday after. (2.37 million.)
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Friday after. (2.36 million.)
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Wednesday after. (1.97 million.)
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Saturday after. (2 million.)
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Tuesday after. (2.04 million.)
Over the previous three years, the Friday main into Presidents Day weekend has been the only busiest day to fly throughout this 15-day window. Anticipate Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, to be exceptionally crowded.
And assuming traits proceed, anticipate Presidents Day — Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 — to be fairly busy, too.
The smarter, cheaper Presidents Day weekend itinerary
Should you work a conventional Monday-to-Friday schedule and have Presidents Time without work, the apparent plan is perhaps to go away Friday night and return Monday. However this method means you’ll face peak crowds and better costs. Contemplate adjusting your journey days to economize and time.
Fly on the Tuesday or Wednesday earlier than: Lengthen the lengthy weekend by leaving earlier than the Friday rush.
Journey on Saturday: The Saturdays each earlier than and after the vacation are usually among the many quieter journey days. Whereas crowds depart on Friday, you may take pleasure in a quiet day at work, use the night to pack, and depart on Saturday.
Plus, an early Saturday flight can lower your odds of a flight delay versus flying out Friday night. Among the many 30 largest airports within the U.S., about 91% of flights arriving earlier than midday have been on time, in comparison with about 80% of flights arriving after 6 p.m., in accordance with a report from the Division of Transportation based mostly on October 2024 information.
Lengthen your journey by Wednesday: Most individuals return dwelling on Presidents Day Monday, however why not keep longer? The Wednesday after Presidents Day is the least-crowded day to fly through the seven-day interval after the vacation. Over the past three years, TSA information reveals that airport passenger quantity on Presidents Day Monday was 23% increased, on common, than on the next Wednesday.
Use factors or miles. Should you’re sitting on airline miles or journey bank card rewards, don’t allow them to gather digital mud. Spending miles is usually a sensible transfer, as they don’t accrue curiosity in the event that they’re simply sitting there. Utilizing these miles in your subsequent flight may make it easier to save considerably on journey prices.