Putting together a spring break travel plan that’s either financially or emotionally stress-free is a different challenge for 2026 during the partial government shutdown.
Airlines for America, the trade association for the leading U.S. airlines, projects 171 million people will fly between March and April, a 4% increase from last year. Every day, carriers are averaging 2.8 million passengers.
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The travel demand is so high that it's offsetting hundreds of millions of dollars in added fuel expenses. This week, major U.S. airlines like Delta and American announced they’re actually raising revenue projections with travel demand, as jet fuel prices are up more than $1.50 per gallon since the beginning of the Iran war.
Adding to travel stress this year are TSA agents still working without pay due to the months-long partial government shutdown.
RDU announced that it is accepting donations for TSA agents working without pay, writing,
"If you are looking for a way to help the dedicated TSA employees at RDU who continue to work without pay during the partial government shutdown, TSA is permitted to accept grocery store or gas gift cards. Visa gift cards and cash cannot be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 TSA Supervisor Podiums at the back of the checkpoint or by simply asking for a Supervisor or Manager."
Keller Hopkins, with his daughter Zion, were in the midst of an unexpected layover at Raleigh-Durham International. The first leg of their flight back to Philadelphia was delayed coming out of LAX.
"In Philly there was a big line and it went from TSA, they shut it down, it went from security all the way down to the parking garage," she said.
To add to that demand, airlines have added 2% more to seat capacity and flights.
How to improve air travel
Lisa Gill of Consumer Reports said there are some things you can do to reduce your stress, and it starts with planning.
"Book directly with the vendor and not a third party. If there is a disruption … it’s a whole lot easier to contact those places directly instead of working through a third party," Gill said.
It's also a good idea to enroll in TSA PreCheck, which costs around $80 for a five-year membership, to get through security faster. You can apply online and enroll in-person. Wake County has more than a dozen locations. Just note that approval could take between 5 to 60 days.
"That's going to really help you when it comes to saving time in those lines, you're able to fly right through, you don't have to take your shoes off, you don't have to open up, take your laptops out," said Tiffany Wright with AAA. "It's just a quicker screening process."
Finally, download the My TSA app to see how long the wait is.
You'll also want to have your airline's app to help you easily rebook the next flight if yours gets canceled.
"When those cancellations occur, you'll get a notification on your app ... you can do that [rebook] right from the palm of your hands," said Wright. "You don't have to go wait in a very long line in the airport. You're able to stay right there at that gate and put yourself on the next flight."
If you haven't booked your trip yet, consider travel insurance, flying in and out of a smaller airport or traveling during weekdays.
With rising gas prices, hitting the road is even more costly this year.
In North Carolina, the price per gallon has increased to $3.62, and while below the national average still represents a close to $1 increase over the last month. Meaning long road trips, to popular Spring Break destinations like Orlando or Miami can add to your total fuel cost.
Officials at RDU suggest showing up two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights
>> Find low gas prices in your area
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