ORLANDO, Fla. — Holiday travel is now underway as millions of Americans head out for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with family and friends.

What You Need To Know

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning Dec. 20 and ending Jan. 1

Orlando International Airport officials say they’re prepared for what could be a record-breaking holiday travel season, with nearly 3.1 million passengers expected to arrive and/or depart during the Christmas and New Year’s travel period

Airport officials advise passengers to download the Orlando MCO app to get real time information about parking availability as well as flight status

According to data from Orlando International Airport, the busiest day will be Saturday, Jan. 3, with approximately 196,212 total passengers arriving and departing MCO

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning Dec. 20 and ending Jan. 1. This year’s forecast is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers. 

While some will take the roads, others will take to the sky.

At Orlando International Airport, officials say they’re prepared for what could be a record-breaking holiday travel season, with nearly 3.1 million passengers expected to arrive and/or depart during the Christmas and New Year’s travel period.

“We have seen an uptick in some passenger traffic last Friday. I think between this time in 2024, we saw 68,000 passengers. This past weekend, we saw about 77,000. So, we do know that we’re seeing more passengers in the airport right now,” Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Orlando International Airport Angela Starke said.

Starke said it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport with plenty of time before their flights.

“If you’re traveling in, please, three hours ahead of time. Two hours, you need to be at the security checkpoint, and then one hour you need to be at the boarding gate,” she said. “That way that if the airlines have any information that they want to share with you, you’re there in time to get it.”

Additionally, Starke said she advises people who are picking someone up to use the cell phone lot — which is a convenient alternative with free Wi-Fi and restrooms available — to keep unnecessary traffic off the road.

Originally from Michigan, Karen Gibbons moved to Florida 13 years ago. Getting ready to fly to Detroit for the holidays, she was one among thousands of travelers at MCO Tuesday.

“It’s actually surprisingly calm,” she said. “I mean, it’s not as crowded as I thought it would be. Checking in was crowded. But then I always check out on the curb, so that goes just like clockwork.”

Gibbons said that with the exception her flight being delayed, things had gone smoothly.

“Everything has gone well. Getting here to the airport — I live in The Villages,” she said. “But I just got a notice that my flight was delayed two hours, so that’s not very good. I travel back and forth all the time, and this is the first time this has ever happened to me. So, disappointing, but oh well.”

The travel season, which began Friday, Dec. 19, and runs through Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, is expected to see an increase of 2.6% in overall passenger traffic at MCO.

“I guess, be prepared for anything,” Gibbons said. “Other than that, just, I always allow out plenty of time. So that’s really good. Except when there’s the delay and then you have lots and lots of time to wait.”

The Richardson family said they flew in from Boston for a family wedding in Orlando, and were heading back home Tuesday. They shared some advice with fellow travelers this time of year.

“Get to the airport early and get TSA precheck, and keep all your very important things in your personal item,” Jerelyn Richardson said.

According to AAA, this will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.

But despite record-breaking numbers, even international travel seemed to be going smoothly. Luis Mayorga from Chile, said the experience at MCO has been pleasant and comfortable, although he did recommend other travellers arrive at least three hours in advance.

According to data from Orlando International Airport, the busiest travel day will be Saturday, Jan. 3, with approximately 196,212 total passengers arriving and departing MCO, followed by Sunday, Jan. 4, with 195,960 travelers.

Starke advised passengers to download the Orlando MCO app to get real-time information about parking availability as well as flight status.