'Dramatic Bounce-Back' of U.S. Holiday Travel Expected Despite Omicron Spread

Holiday travel in the U.S. is expected to come close to pre-pandemic levels this season, with more than 100 million Americans likely to travel in the final days of the year.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) anticipates more than 109 million people will use some mode of transportation to travel 50 miles or farther during the last week of December and the first few days of January, according to estimates released this week. The numbers would represent an increase of about 34 percent over travel numbers reported last year, AAA said.

"That dramatic bounce-back — 27.7 million more people traveling — will bring this year's numbers to 92% of 2019 levels," AAA said in a Tuesday news release.

Focusing specifically on air travel, AAA estimated airlines would see a 184 percent spike in travelers over the 2020 holiday season.

"Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new Omicron variant," Senior Vice President of AAA Travel Paula Twidale said in the release.

"With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel," Twidale added.

Air travel already increased during the Thanksgiving holiday last month, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting nearly 21 million travelers during the agency's 10-day Thanksgiving travel period. Earlier this month, the TSA said it was anticipating "high traffic volumes into the December holidays" that it suggested would come close to pre-pandemic levels.

The anticipation of rising travel numbers comes as the U.S. prepares to enter the third year of the pandemic, with the recent introduction of the Omicron variant prompting some health officials to reinstate mask mandates and advise against indoor holiday gatherings. At least 36 U.S. states had reported Omicron infections by Wednesday, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky. Though the first Omicron infection was reported just two weeks ago in California, the variant already accounts for about 3 percent of all reported cases in the country, Walensky said.

Members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team urged Americans to seek out COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots when reporters asked for guidance on holiday celebrations.

"It's the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your communities this holiday season and winter," White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday.

The CDC also urges Americans to get vaccinated and wear face masks while indoors in communities with high virus transmission rates as part of its COVID-19 guidance for holiday celebrations.

Newsweek reached out to TSA for comment and will update this article with any response.