5.2 million travelers expected at NYC airports over holidays

NEW YORK — Expect jam-packed airports and highways as the holiday travel season kicks into high gear in the New York City area.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is predicting 5.2 million passengers will travel through LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports during the 2024 holidays.

That’s a 3% jump from last year’s holiday season, officials said.

Amtrak service suspended

Some people who may have been hoping to get a head start on holiday travel hit a snag. Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia was suspended Sunday morning due to downed power lines.

Amtrak later said it had restored two of the four tracks, adding trains are moving at reduced speeds in and out of New York and travelers should expect delays of up to an hour.

Crowds could be seen packing Moynihan Train Hall on Sunday, one of the busiest travel days of the year.

In addition to all the delays, at least four trains were canceled between Washington and Boston.

“It has been probably more of a hectic travel than I could have imagined for myself,” said Aaron Lassmann of Houston, Texas.

“I’m taking a train to Harrisburg, but the one before my train was delayed a couple hours. So, I’m crossing my fingers that this one isn’t,” added Olivia Robinson of Philadelphia.

Amtrak said it will waive extra charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule.

Record travel predicted

Winter weather has already disrupted some, but ultimately AAA predicts more than 119 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles to get to their holiday destinations this year.

The busiest stretch runs for 13 days starting on Dec. 21 and ending Jan. 2. AAA estimates about 90% of Americans traveling for the holidays will drive. Still, the Transportation Security Administration is expecting to screen 40 million passengers during that time.

Advice from air travel experts remains the same: Arrive at the airport two hours before departure, or three hours for international flights. 

Zinnia Maldonado

Zinnia Maldonado joins the CBS News New York team from CBS Boston. While there, she had the opportunity to cover an array of national and breaking news stories such as the Boston Marathon, the Harmony Montgomery disappearance and the Celtics’ journey to the NBA Finals.