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 Travel & Outdoors | December 2007 
Predictions for a Busy Winter Holiday Travel Season Ahead
 Travelocity
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If the record-breaking Thanksgiving crowds were any indication, the December holiday travel season will shape up to be another lively one. But, despite airport crowds and record-high load factors, travelers fared quite well over Thanksgiving with minimal hold-ups at check-in and security.
The reason for such success, aside from relatively cooperative weather, was the fact that travelers were prepared. To help consumers get ready for the next leg of their journey, Travelocity evaluated how some of the busiest airports performed over Thanksgiving and analyzed the latest booking and airfare data for December.
With average ticket prices 10 percent higher than the 2006 holiday and most travelers having booked two and a half months in advance, travel insiders are expecting this December to be busier than ever despite high airfares.
"While a number of factors played a part in the success of the Thanksgiving travel season, we shouldn't let our guards down just yet, as winter storms are still a possibility," says Amy Ziff, Travelocity's editor-at-large. "Agreeable weather, changes by the federal government, new policies from individual airlines, and savvy travelers all worked together to make for a relatively hassle-free weekend."
MORE DECEMBER STATS
• Overall Dec. airfares (domestic and international combined) for 2007 = $446 (compared to $387 for Thanksgiving)
• Overall airfares for 2006 = $405 (Compared to $371 for Thanksgiving)
• Overall airfares for 2005 = $401 (Compared to $354 for Thanksgiving)
In contrast to Thanksgiving data, December travelers finally seem to be taking high fares and the weak dollar into account when they plan their vacations. Travel to Western Europe is down 4.4 percent and to Canada down almost 9 percent. With share up to Mexico, Central America and Eastern Europe, it does indicate that the unfavorable exchange rates are finally influencing where people are going.
• Top Booked DOMESTIC Destinations: 1. New York 6. Los Angeles 2. South Florida 7. Chicago 3. Las Vegas 8. Washington, DC 4. Denver 9. San Francisco 5. Orlando 10. Phoenix
• Top Booked INTERNATIONAL Destinations: 1. Cancun 6. Jamaica 2. London 7. Bahamas 3. San Jose Cabo 8. Paris 4. Puerto Vallarta 9. San Jose, CR 5. Mexico City 10. Dominican Republic
As a rule, fares are up worldwide. Two notable exceptions where fares are even with last year - Mexico and the Caribbean - reveal that sunny spots may be the best bargains this season. For travelers looking to save, Ziff strongly recommends being flexible about the destination and shopping by theme instead - such as beach, ski or romance - to get ideas and prices on packages.
THANKSGIVING AIRPORT SUMMARY
Travelocity experts also factored Thanksgiving successes and challenges into the equation when making predictions for the holidays ahead. Stationed at 10 of the nation's busiest airports on two of the most popular travel days of the year (Nov. 20 and 21, 2007), Travelocity representatives monitored everything from security and check-in lines to travel delays and parking. Following are key highlights from Thanksgiving week:
• Despite a few periodic rush periods, check-in and security lines in airports monitored by Travelocity remained consistently short, around 10 - 15 minutes throughout the day on Nov. 20 and 21 (with few ever exceeding 20 minutes).
• Due to weather, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles saw some delays from rain and fog, but overall impact was minimal.
• Some international terminals (such as LAX) experienced slightly longer check-in times.
• The longest check-in wait times were reported periodically during the earlier part of the day on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
• The worst problems were initial delays due to weather that built up in the system throughout the day on Monday following the holiday weekend.
HOLIDAY AIRLINES POLICIES
It remains to be seen whether or not the "Holiday Express Lane" that gave commercial airlines access to military airspace over Thanksgiving will be used again in December. However, individual airlines have announced steps to make air travel as smooth as possible. A few examples are listed below, but please visit individual airline Web sites for complete details.
United Airlines
• Has added 140 kiosks inside the gates at busy airports so travelers who have been rebooked because of delays can print new boarding passes without going through security again. These kiosks also have software that enables customers to make changes to their itineraries, such as placing themselves on the stand-by list for an earlier flight.
US Airways
• Increasing staff at airports and plans to hold additional spare aircraft for placement into scheduled service if needed.
Northwest Airlines
• Has issued a "20 Point Plan" to minimize disruption during the holiday travel season. The airline will waive rebooking fees for passengers whose plans were disrupted by weather or mechanical delays.
For more holiday tips and advice, visit The Window Seat blog at www.windowseat.travelocity.com or write to ask.amy(at)travelocity.com.
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler's champion - before, during and after the trip - and provides the most comprehensive and pro-active guarantee in the industry - see www.travelocity.com/guarantee for details. This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology, has made Travelocity the sixth largest travel agency - booking $10.1 billion in travel worldwide in 2006. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(R) for corporate travelers; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel commerce. |
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