ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects a “record-breaking” travel day on Friday due to the holiday weekend, it said in a statement.
By 7 a.m., the airport had already screened about 21,000 travelers, it said — and it expects to screen more than 100,000 by the day’s end. The numbers may even surpass the airport’s Super Bowl travel record.
Next Monday is Columbus Day, and many schools are on or approaching fall break.
“Fall appears to be the new summer,” airport spokesperson Mark Howell said. He added that the TSA checkpoints are fully staffed.
Traveler Tracy Hammons told Atlanta News First the airport was “completely chaotic” earlier this morning, with people being redirected left and right and the TSA check line wrapping around the baggage claim area several times. She missed her flight but was able to reschedule for one that takes off near midnight.
“Not a single person we spoke to in line, at the restaurant we’re at now, and at the terminal, had ever seen the security line like it is today,” Hammons said. “A coworker let us know they experienced the same thing last weekend at Hartsfield.”
The airport is recommending travelers arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. You can check wait times here.
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