PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland International Airport (PDX) is bracing for more than 900,000 holiday travelers after a busy Thanksgiving.
PDX is expecting the onslaught between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5, a 12% increase from last year, according to Port of Portland's Alison Ferre. During Thanksgiving, PDX saw an 8% increase in travelers.
However, the airport expects its three busiest days to be after Christmas, with Dec. 27 shaping up to be the peak busiest with more than 56,000 travelers. Dec. 30 and 31 may see just below that — around 55,000 arriving and departing travelers.
The airport remains under construction in Phase 2 renovations, having recently completed the new terminal, so they recommend travelers plan on getting there earlier, noting that 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. is the busiest time. The airport will have some concourse bypasses amid construction, meaning longer distances to concourses E and B.
PDX recommended that people arrive two hours early for domestic flights and 2.5 hours early for international traveling, as well as contacting their airline for wheelchair assistance in advance. Parking will also be in high demand.
This is also the last holiday season before REAL ID requirements go into effect in May 2025.
The rise in holiday travelers aligns with AAA's prediction of this year narrowly beating 2023's record by 3 million more travelers nationwide, with 1.68 million Oregonians expected to travel 50 miles or more for the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year. The agency also projected that 35% of Americans, or 119.3 million, will be setting out, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers.
Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho, said because Christmas falls on a Wednesday, many are taking the entire week off or working remotely for a longer break.
AAA added that around 90% American travelers will drive this year, including 1.5 million Oregonians. This is 2.5 million more than last year but still behind 2019's record of 109 million. Though gas prices will be the cheapest since 2020, traffic will be busier than normal, with the peak days expected to be Dec. 22 and Dec. 29. Dec. 19 through Dec. 23, as well as Dec. 26 through Jan. 2, are expected to be congested, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. In Oregon, drivers can expect that their trips will take 8% to 50% longer, assuming no weather or traffic crash delays.
Air travel will set a record, with 160,00 Oregonians, including 7.85 million Americans, taking to the skies. Again, this holiday's air travel will surpass last year's numbers.
Lastly, travel via cruises, trains and buses are expected to be the highest in 20 years, with 62,000 Oregonians traveling, including nearly 4.5 million Americans. This is up nearly 10% from 2023, AAA said, with domestic cruise bookings up 37% from last holiday season.