As millions of travelers pass through New York City this holiday season, navigating the busy airports and public transportation systems will require planning and patience. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Port Authority are increasing services to accommodate the high volume of passengers expected between last Saturday and January 2. An estimated 13.8 million people are set to travel through the city’s transit hubs, with airports alone anticipating around 5.2 million passengers, reported Gothamist.
As part of a $19 billion renovation, Kennedy Airport is expecting higher traffic volumes, and officials are advising travelers to arrive three hours before their flights to accommodate both the construction and peak holiday crowds, according to Newsday.
To address the increased travel demand and ongoing construction, additional measures are being put in place. The MTA has announced that subways will operate on a special Sunday schedule for Christmas and New Year's Day, with extra service as necessary. This includes additional late-night trains for those attending New Year's Eve celebrations. The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North are also planning to add extra trains, as per Gothamist.
Travelers heading to airports during the holiday season are advised to use public transportation. Live updates on train schedules and service changes can be accessed via the MTA and TrainTime apps or at mta.info. The Port Authority is also recommending this, as construction at JFK Airport has displaced 3,500 parking spots, potentially causing increased traffic congestion. In response, the authority has moved car service and ride-sharing pick-up areas to an off-site lot in an effort to improve traffic flow and streamline passenger pick-ups, Newsday reports.
Travel has significantly increased since the pandemic, with many travelers eager to make up for lost time, a trend described by AAA Northeast spokesman Alec Slatky as revenge travel. This surge in demand, along with the Port Authority's efforts to maintain JFK's operations during ongoing upgrades, is expected to contribute to a busy holiday travel season. Travelers departing from New York's airports are advised to plan ahead to help mitigate the potential for delays during this peak period.
