Memorial Day Travel Chaos: Record-Breaking Rush Expected

Memorial Day Weekend Travel Rush Expected to Break Records: Millions to Hit the Roads and Skies Los Angeles, CA – May 22, 2025 – The Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and with it comes the largest travel rush in recent memory. AAA forecasts more than 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, potentially exceeding the record set in 2005. This surge is already underway, as seen at Los Angeles International Airport, where ABC News correspondent Trevor Ault reported on the bustling activity. "This plane is headed to Hawaii, that one to Denver," Ault observed, pointing to the planes taking off. "United Airlines says they're expecting one of their planes to take off every 20 seconds throughout this travel weekend." This reflects a significant increase of over 300,000 travelers compared to last year. The sheer volume of travelers, coupled with the potential for severe weather, poses challenges. "Bad weather anywhere could lead to delays everywhere," Ault warned. This concern is amplified by the 49,000 flights scheduled for today alone, with an even higher number anticipated for tomorrow. Despite the potential for headaches, the sheer scale of travel underscores the public's eagerness to embrace the first long weekend of summer. This Memorial Day weekend promises to be a test of the nation's air travel infrastructure, and the high number of travelers highlights the resilience and desire for travel after the pandemic.