ORLANDO, Fla. – For travelers leaving town for the holidays, Christmas Eve, and even Christmas Day, may be the best time to fly.
At Orlando International Airport on Christmas Eve, travelers encountered light crowds, short security lines and a smooth overall experience, surprising many who expected packed terminals ahead of the holiday.
“You might assume Christmas Eve means crowded terminals,” said Yvette Rawls-Parks, a traveler heading out of Orlando. “It was shocking. There were no lines in TSA. Everybody was very friendly and in the holiday spirit.”
Airport activity throughout the morning remained steady but calm, with luggage arriving on time and security moving efficiently. Some travelers said flying on the holiday itself has long been their preferred strategy.
“I’ve always traveled on Christmas,” said Elena Tyson. “That was always what my family did, and I do recommend it. But the cheat code might have been broken.”
According to AAA, airfare is significantly more expensive this holiday season, averaging nearly $900 per ticket. The days leading up to Christmas are typically the most expensive, while fares on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are generally lower.
AAA estimates 8.03 million people will travel by air during the holiday season, marking the first time the number has surpassed 8 million. Despite that record-setting forecast, conditions at Orlando International Airport on Christmas Eve were quieter than some travelers anticipated.
“I’m surprised,” said Paul, another traveler at the airport. “You look at the websites, and they tell you how many people are traveling, and I’m surprised there are just not a lot of people right now.”
Transportation Security Administration wait times fluctuated at points during the day, and officials advised travelers to monitor conditions before arriving at the airport.
AAA expects Christmas Day to be even quieter, with heavier travel returning later in the week as holiday travelers head back home. Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status in advance and arrive early to account for any potential delays.
Despite ongoing upgrades to the airport’s Gate Link tram system, there were no visible disruptions to passenger movement on Christmas Eve. Trams continued to run smoothly throughout the day.