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In the United States, November data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on passenger traffic at airports had something curious. The Sunday following Thanksgiving was as usual very busy, with 2.6 million people being inspected at checkpoints. This is the highest figure recorded in the country in a single day since the start of the pandemicdemonstrating that many people have returned to travel. Other habits, however, have changed. This year, the Friday before Thanksgiving, which fell nearly a week before the holiday, was busier than in 2019 and nearly as crowded as the day before, which traditionally marks the annual peak for U.S. travel. People have indeed returned to travel, but differently than in the past.
The airlines predicted that travel around Thanksgiving would be strange. Between soaring demand, skyrocketing ticket prices and the flexibility of the smart workingsome people have chose to fly at different times than in previous years. Airlines expect a similar trend for the Christmas holidays as well. “Bookings are a little different this year Andrew Nocella, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of United Airlines, said in October –. They are spread over more days than in the past.”
More trips, less peaks
In other words, in the United States the great exodus that usually took place during the holiday periods has transformed, with a flow of travel that has intensified by replacing the great peaks. A survey conducted by consulting firm Deloitte found that American travelers are adding an average of six days to their travels this year thanks to the flexibility afforded by new ways of working. With remote working set to establish itself on a permanent basis, some people may have changed the way they travel forever. Now they can avoid commuting on the busiest and busiest daysmaybe even saving some money.
Trips with lower peaks during the holidays represent a advantage for airlines: “We can become much more efficient because demand remains steadily high in all periods”, said Robert Isom, chief executive officer of American airlines. Airlines and hotels, still short on pilots, cleaners and service personnel, may not need aircraft and room turnover as often. In front of one less competition between passengersmoreover, the companies could accept a greater number of reservations. “This will help us operationally”said Ed Bastian, chief executive officer of United Airlines, explaining the phenomenon to investors last fall.
However, these transformations could mean fewer breaks for workers in the travel sector. “We used to plan our holidays and work schedules based on typical travel flows. Now the flights are always full. This makes it difficult to get to work or reap the benefits of our profession”said Sara Nelson, president of the flight attendants union Association of flight attendants-CWA.
The rise of travel bleisure
This phenomenon is now manifesting itself due to the convergence of three trends that affect the way people travel and work in the post-pandemic restrictions and lockdowns era.
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