If you’ve taken a summer or fall trip this year, you’ve probably asked, “Is travel back to pre-pandemic levels?” In most cases, the short answer is “yes.” It is easy to see that most destinations are busier than in 2020 and 2021.
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 28: Several passengers with suitcases at Puerta de Atocha station on October 28, … [+] 2022 in Madrid, Spain. With the upcoming All Hallows’ Day long weekend, train ticket purchases jumped 124% compared to sales recorded on the Trainline platform, thanks to an increase in new liberalized lines where new low-cost brands are already operating. The high-speed line connecting Madrid to Valencia has increased sales sevenfold at this platform, where Renfe’s Avlo low-cost train and low-cost operator Ouigo already operate. (Photo by Marta Fernandez Jara/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Domestic leisure travel surpasses pre-pandemic levels
It is undeniable that leisure travel in the United States has not only returned to pre-pandemic levels, but is also exceeding them. Therefore, by choosing the best airlines for holiday flights, you can avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a competitive price.
TSA checkpoint numbers show more people flying on many days this fall than in 2019. However, summer 2019 numbers were still higher, with a gap of 300,000 to 500,000 on most days.
It is true that business travel remains lower than pre-pandemic levels, which contributes to the difference.
In addition, the United States Travel Association (USTA) makes two positive observations:
However, the situation is not entirely rosy for the domestic travel industry, as only 32% of American travelers make leisure travel a priority. This is a 2% decrease compared to July 2022, suggesting that travel volumes may moderate for now as people fulfill their revenge travel wishes or become more selective about limited-time flight sales.
Is international travel back to normal?
The USTA reports that international visitors to the United States remain 34% below pre-pandemic levels. In addition, more Americans are staying at the coast than usual, but there is more overseas travel as countries ease travel restrictions and reopen.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that global air travel will not fully recover until 2024. For example, in 2021, international travel declined by 47% compared to 2019. By August 2022, global travel remains at 67% of statistical data before the pandemic.
According to the World Economic Forum, air traffic in the European Union has largely returned to normal, with flights in August 2022 only 14% below the pre-pandemic norm.
When will business travel return to normal?
Business travel remains the biggest backlog for a variety of reasons. Experts predict that it may not be until 2024 or even 2026 before business travel becomes common again.
USTA’s third-quarter business travel survey offers mixed insights:
While 2022 was one of the first years of highly attended trade shows and business conferences, virtual meetings are still a popular alternative. However, the reason now is to control spending rather than worker safety.
If the final months of 2022 are anything like the rest of the year, airports and highways will be the busiest since the pandemic. It is therefore essential that you book your holiday travel now to get the best flight schedules and prices.
