AAA Urges Travelers To Be Prepared As Air Travel Rebounds

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 28, 2022) — As travel rebounds to near pre-pandemic levels, AAA travel advisors have experienced some of their busiest days since last summer. Travelers have been booking vacations for spring break, summer getaways and more extravagant trips - including cruises and international travel packages well into 2023 and even 2024.

“Despite flight delays and cancellations, as well as higher costs, travel inquiries and bookings reflect a renewed sense of commitment to get going again,” said Maria York, District Director, AAA Retail Operations. “With winter behind us, not only are we seeing more people making plans for the future, AAA is also hearing from travelers who want to know where they can go right now.”

AAA bookings for March, April and May to places like Florida, Mexico and Hawaii are up 211% over last year and 10% over 2019. AAA finds the top trending destinations are those that include sandy beaches, blue water and clear skies.

“People taking tropical and beach vacations this time of year isn’t new,” said Ragina Ali, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. “It’s the number of bookings we’re seeing, with increases in the triple digits over last year and even beating pre-pandemic volumes. The moral of the story is that people, more than ever, want to get away and enjoy a little taste of paradise.”

AAA is also seeing an increased interest in TSA Pre✓® by travelers. TSA Pre✓® is the screening program that offers an expedited process at the airport. The good news for area residents planning to travel by air is that AAA is hosting TSA Pre✓® events with the IdentoGO® Mobile Enrollment RV, this week, as well as the first two weeks of May at the following locations:

AAA Fairfax – April 25-29

4100 Monument Corner Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

(703) 222-4200

AAA Seven Corners – May 2-6

6290 Arlington Blvd

Falls Church, VA 22044

(703) 269-4040

AAA Tysons Corner– May 9-13

8300 Old Courthouse Rd

Suite 110

Vienna, VA 22182

(703) 790-2600

Appointment times are limited, so travelers are urged to visit AAA.com/TSA for more details and to make their appointment today.

“As air and international travel rebound, having TSA Pre✓® is a convenience savvy travelers should consider,” Ali noted.

According to a recently released AAA Travel Poll, more than 40% of Washingtonians plan to take an international trip this summer, and nearly 55% say they will take multiple trips this summer.

Travelers can find additional tips and guidance at AAA.com/travel.