With summer on the horizon, here is a data-driven look at the U.S. locations that typically see the largest spikes in summertime visitors.
Researchers ranked locations by the percentage change in average daily flight passenger traffic during the summer months, using data from 2021–2024.
Key Takeaways, With Data for New York State
- 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 typically 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 with popular national parks like Maine, Alaska, and Montana see the largest increases in summer air travel.
- Summertime Air Travel in New York State: In the non-summer months, New York State typically sees an average of 24,043 visitors each day. During July through September, however, this average increases to 27,053 per day—a 12.5% spike.
The full report covers nearly 200 cities and 51 U.S. states and territories, with detailed breakdowns of seasonal visitor volumes, flight totals, and airfare trends.