As summer approaches, many Americans are eager to plan their vacations, with some destinations attracting more travelers than others. From serene beach getaways to adventurous national park visits, the U.S. offers a diverse array of travel experiences. Understanding which destinations see the biggest seasonal spikes in visitors can help travelers make informed decisions while also providing insight into broader tourism trends.
Recent data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shows that U.S. summer travel has not only rebounded from the pandemic but now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Airlines have adjusted schedules to accommodate this surge while also practicing capacity discipline—a strategy of limiting available seats to maintain higher fares and profitability.
This analysis identifies the most popular summer travel destinations by examining both total flight volume and the number of arriving passengers. While the analysis considers overall commercial flight activity, its primary focus is on travelers flying to these destinations—not just those departing from or passing through. By analyzing round-trip and multi-leg ticket data, researchers highlight locations that experience the largest seasonal spikes in visitor arrivals, offering a data-driven look at where air travelers head for summer trips.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the analysis:
- Summer Air Travel Hits Record High: Monthly TSA throughput averaged more than 84 million people in summer 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
- Smaller Airports See the Biggest Surges: Nonhub airports see a 23.4% increase in passengers and a 15.1% rise in flights during summer, far surpassing the summertime growth at larger hub airports.
- Outdoor Destinations Drive Seasonal Growth: States like Maine (+174.1%), Alaska (+93.9%), and Montana (+93.0%) see the largest increases in summer air travel.
- Hot Weather Destinations See Declines: Air travel drops in areas like Palm Springs, CA (-66.7%), Tucson, AZ (-40.2%), and Phoenix, AZ (-37.1%) as travelers seek cooler alternatives.
Changes in Summertime Air Travel Over Time
Summertime air travel hit an all-time high in 2024
Source: Dunhill Travel Deals analysis of Transportation Security Administration data
Air travel in the U.S. typically peaks in summer, and it hit a record high in 2024, averaging over 84 million passengers passing through TSA security checkpoints in the month of July. This represents a remarkable recovery from 2020, when the pandemic drove monthly travelers down to just 4 million—a staggering 94% drop from the year prior. After several years of gradual rebound, passenger numbers finally surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2023. This continued growth reflects strong demand for summer travel, making 2024 the busiest season yet and setting the stage for an even busier summer in 2025.
Summertime Air Travel by Airport Hub Size
Smaller airports are most impacted by summer travel surges
Source: Dunhill Travel Deals analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data
For people planning summer travel, the choice of airport can make a big difference in their experience. Smaller airports see the most dramatic seasonal surges, which can impact flight availability, wait times, and overall congestion. Nonhub airports—typically smaller regional airports with limited year-round service—experience the biggest shifts, with daily visitor numbers rising by more than 23% and daily arriving flights increasing by 15%. In contrast, large hub airports—which already operate at high capacity year-round—see a more moderate 1.9% rise in visitors and a 4.9% increase in flights.
Geographic Differences in Air Travel During Summertime
Air travel to scenic, wilderness-rich states like Maine, Alaska, and Montana increases dramatically during summer
Source: Dunhill Travel Deals analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data
Summertime air travel surges the most in states known for outdoor recreation, with Maine, Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming seeing some of the largest seasonal increases. Maine leads the country with a 174% jump in visitors, reflecting its popularity for coastal getaways and outdoor activities.
In contrast, states with extreme summer heat or year-round travel demand—such as Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas—see declines. Arizona experiences the steepest drop, with daily passenger numbers declining more than 37%, likely due to scorching summer temperatures. These patterns suggest that travelers heading to popular outdoor destinations should book early to secure flights, while those open to visiting less in-demand locations may find better availability and lower fares.
The seasonal shift in air travel is even more apparent at the city level, with smaller regional hubs in scenic destinations seeing the largest surges. Martha’s Vineyard, MA (+681.7%), Nantucket, MA (+532.4%), and Traverse City, MI (+236.2%) top the list. On the other hand, while travel to Palm Springs, CA declines by two-thirds likely due to the extreme heat, areas like Steamboat Springs, CO (-66.1%) and Eagle, CO (-52.9%) experience steep declines because of their popularity during the wintertime.
Below is a breakdown of summertime air travel patterns for the top and bottom markets and states. For more detailed information about the data and calculations in the analysis, refer to the original analysis Most Popular Summer Travel Destinations in the U.S. on Dunhill Travel Deals.
Most Popular Cities for Summer Travel in the U.S.
Most Popular States & Territories for Summer Travel in the U.S.
Methodology
Photo Credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock
The data in this analysis come from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Airline Origin and Destination Survey and Air Carrier Statistics database. Researchers at Dunhill Travel Deals—a leading source for travel deal discovery—ranked locations by the percentage change in average daily flight passenger traffic during the summer. For the purposes of this analysis, the summer season was considered to be July through September, and averages were calculated using data from October 2021 through September 2024, the latest data available. For relevance, destinations were only included if they were a part of a round-trip flight where the destination was a scheduled stop not solely for the reason of changing planes. Additionally, locations with an average of less than 100 daily summertime passengers were excluded. In the event of a tie, the location with the greater average daily flight passenger traffic was ranked higher. The researchers also calculated the percentage change in average daily flights arriving at each location, as well as average airfares during summer and non-summer periods for visiting travelers. For relevance, air travel markets were mapped to the metropolitan areas they serve and grouped into the following metropolitan population cohorts: small (less than 350,000), midsize (350,000–999,999), and large (1,000,000 or more).
For complete results, see Most Popular Summer Travel Destinations in the U.S. on Dunhill Travel Deals.
