Travelers warned of packed airplanes

USA Today

Airplanes could be more crowded than ever this summer, leading to unpleasant surprises for fliers who aren't prepared.

Starting today, passengers this Fourth of July weekend should expect packed airports, long waits and full planes. Although fewer people are flying than in recent summers, financially strapped airlines have reduced flights to cut costs as fares remain low.

Signs of crowding:

• In June, Continental and America West both filled at least 81 percent of their seats, a record. ATA Airlines sold out 431 of its 6,000 flights last month.
• The largest U.S. airlines filled 71 percent of their seats on domestic flights in January through May, the Air Transport Association says. That's the highest percentage for those months since at least 1970.
• Nine large and small airlines filled more than 75 percent of their seats in May; JetBlue filled nearly 85 percent.

AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson says flights Thursday, Sunday and Monday are "just jammed." Delta expects to carry more than 1.8 million passengers on its flights between yesterday and Monday.

Airlines are urging passengers to arrive early and check in by computer at home or at airport check-in kiosks to avoid lines at ticket counters. Extra-large passengers and those traveling with toddlers might want to buy another seat if they need space, rather than count on an empty neighboring seat.

Passengers who do get bumped, or voluntarily give up a seat, could find it hard to get an empty seat on a later flight.

Travel expert Terry Trippler says airlines packing their planes risk flight delays and having to compensate bumped passengers.

"These numbers are going to come back to bite the airlines," says Trippler, traveler advocate for CheapSeats.com.