Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February, providing many workers with a three-day weekend. This holiday is a popular time for travel, especially for those seeking to escape the winter cold. However, not all days during the holiday weekend are equally busy.
According to a BW analysis of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint data, Presidents Day follows similar travel patterns as other long weekends like Labor Day. Friday is typically the busiest day for air travel, followed by the actual holiday on Monday.
To avoid the largest crowds and potentially save on airfare, it’s important to plan your travel strategically. BW has calculated the average passenger volumes at TSA checkpoints over a 15-day period encompassing Presidents Day and the days before and after. Here is a ranking of the busiest to least crowded airport travel days.
Flying before Presidents Day
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Friday before. (2.46 million passengers.)
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Sunday before. (2.29 million.)
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Thursday before. (2.28 million.)
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Tuesday before. (1.66 million.)
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Wednesday before. (1.9 million.)
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Saturday before. (2.02 million.)
Flying on or after Presidents Day
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Presidents Day (Monday). (2.44 million passengers.)
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Sunday after. (2.37 million.)
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Friday after. (2.36 million.)
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Wednesday after. (1.97 million.)
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Saturday after. (2 million.)
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Tuesday after. (2.04 million.)
In the past three years, the Friday before Presidents Day weekend has consistently been the busiest day for air travel within the 15-day period. Therefore, travelers can expect Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, to be exceptionally crowded.
Following the trend, Presidents Day itself, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, is also anticipated to be quite busy.
Optimizing Your Presidents Day Weekend Itinerary
If you have Presidents Day off and follow a traditional Monday-to-Friday work schedule, the typical plan of leaving on Friday and returning on Monday may lead to encountering peak crowds and higher prices. To save both money and time, consider adjusting your travel days.
Depart on the Tuesday or Wednesday before: Start your long weekend early to avoid the Friday rush.
Travel on Saturday: Saturdays before and after the holiday are typically less crowded. Instead of joining the Friday exodus, you can enjoy a peaceful day at work, pack in the evening, and depart on Saturday.
Moreover, an early Saturday flight may reduce the risk of flight delays compared to flying out on Friday evening. According to a Department of Transportation report based on October 2024 data, approximately 91% of flights arriving before noon at the 30 largest U.S. airports were on time, in contrast to around 80% of flights arriving after 6 p.m.
Extend Your Trip to Wednesday: While most travelers return home on Presidents Day Monday, consider staying longer. The Wednesday after Presidents Day is typically the least crowded day to fly within the week following the holiday. Over the past three years, TSA data indicates that airport passenger volume on Presidents Day Monday was, on average, 23% higher than on the subsequent Wednesday.
Utilize Your Points or Miles: If you have accumulated airline miles or travel credit card rewards, consider using them. Redeeming miles is a wise choice as they do not accrue interest while sitting unused. By using your miles for your next flight, you could significantly reduce your travel expenses.