While many South Florida families spent Christmas Day at home opening gifts or gathering around the table, thousands of travelers marked the holiday shuffling through airport terminals. However, many said the experience was smoother than expected.

At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Christmas Day travel brought in a noticeably calmer pace, with lighter crowds and nearly empty TSA checkpoints compared to the busy days leading up to the holiday.

“Not busy at all,” said Sapir Davidov, who flew into Broward from New York City. “The plane was fully booked, but the airport wasn’t busy. The Starbucks line was quick, everything was quick.”

Other passengers echoed that sentiment, calling the holiday itself a travel advantage.

“We were talking about how simple everything was,” said Isabelle Arbeiteman. “There were hardly any lines. We were worried, but it was a lot easier.”

For some, it was their first time flying on Christmas Day, but they said they had an epiphany that it is strategic. 

“It was my first time, so I was a little anxious,” said Alaor, visiting from New York City. “But it ended up being good.”

The smoother travel experience wasn’t limited to South Florida. Travelers arriving from Atlanta, Georgia, home to the world’s busiest airport, also reported minimal delays.

“The airport in Atlanta was really easy and really quick to go through,” said Diana Nelson, visiting from Georgia. “I have no complaints so far.”

Nelson said it took her 20 minutes to get through TSA.

Airport officials expect more than 2.1 million travelers to pass through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport during the year-end holiday travel period, averaging more than 124,000 passengers per day. Officials say the busiest travel days largely occurred before Christmas, with lighter crowds on the holiday itself.

Fort Lauderdale continues to be a popular holiday destination, especially for visitors escaping colder weather.

“Just feeling great spending time with family and being able to decompress,” said Tony Maraschiello, visiting from Canada. “We’re from Canada, so the warm weather is really nice.”

Others say spending the winter holidays in South Florida has become a tradition.

“Every winter I come down to stay away from the ice and the cold,” Alaor said.

Airport officials say travelers heading out later this week or around New Year’s Eve should expect busier terminals again as holiday travel picks back up.