The Fourth of July weekend is historically one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, and 2023 was no exception. AAA predicted that nearly 70.9 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home for the holiday, a 5% increase from 2022 and an 8% increase from pre-pandemic 2019. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) was no exception to this surge in travel, with Indiana University graduates Ben La Kier and Max McLaughlin among the many travelers passing through the airport on Sunday, July 2nd.The Fourth of July weekend is historically one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, and 2023 was no exception. AAA predicted that nearly 70.9 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home for the holiday, a 5% increase from 2022 and an 8% increase from pre-pandemic 2019. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) was no exception to this surge in travel, with Indiana University graduates Ben La Kier and Max McLaughlin among the many travelers passing through the airport on Sunday, July 2nd. La Kier flew back to Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, while McLaughlin was returning to New York City after spending time on a lake in Indiana with friends. Despite the large crowds, both La Kier and McLaughlin reported having a positive experience at IND. They arrived earlier than normal and had plenty of time to board their flights. McLaughlin praised the airport’s infrastructure, saying that “no matter what day it is, it has all the infrastructure but it never seems too busy.” The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicted that its agents would screen more than 3 million people at 434 airports across the country on Sunday. To help travelers prepare for the busy weekend, IND provided real-time flight status updates on its website.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Sunday is set to be one of the busiest days of the year for travelers in the U.S., and Indianapolis is no exception.
AAA predicted that nearly 70.9 million travelers would travel 50 miles or more from home for the holiday. That’s a 5% increase from last year and an 8% increase from 2019, making it the largest travel weekend ever for the Fourth of July weekend.
In addition, the Transportation Security Administration predicted that its agents would screen more than 3 million people at 434 airports across the country on Sunday.
Indiana University graduates Ben La Kier and Max McLaughlin are two of those making the journey home.
La Kier traveled back to Atlanta on Sunday. McLaughlin was on his way back to New York City.
The two had flown to Indiana last Tuesday to spend time on the lake with friends from school.
“We were all able to come together from different cities and you know, when you’re on the water on lap four, I’ll never complain,” La Kier said.
With large crowds expected, the two took precautions and arrived at Indianapolis International Airport earlier than normal, giving them plenty of time to board their flight.
“I was expecting today to be one of the busiest travel days of the year, the Sunday after the Fourth of July, but one of the things I love about Indianapolis Airport is that no matter what day it is, it has all the infrastructure but it never seems too busy,” McLaughlin said. “So we were able to grab a beer before the flight.”
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