Airlines Brace for Heavy Traffic Over Holiday Weekend

If you're traveling by air this weekend, don't count on sitting next to an empty seat.

This Fourth of July weekend is expected to be one of the busiest holidays in years for airline travel, and airplanes could see record passenger loads.

Officials with Fort Worth-based American Airlines say airplanes will average more than 90 percent full over the weekend and into next week.

"It's going to be huge," said Tim Smith, an American spokesman. "We're seeing substantial increases over last year."

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is also anticipating heavy traffic, spokeswoman Paula Berg said. "So far it's going smoothly, despite the bump," she said.

The fact that the Fourth falls on a Monday has likely inspired more people to take a longer holiday and travel farther, Smith said. In addition, with high gasoline prices and the availability of inexpensive airfares, some consumers have concluded that it's cheaper to fly than drive.

The weekend comes as consumers have already shown a greater appetite for summer travel. The Air Transport Association, an airline industry trade group, expects 200 million passengers to fly this summer, more than 4 percent more than last year.

"Low fares continue to prompt high travel volumes," James May, the group's president and chief executive, said in a prepared statement.

But the crush of passengers doesn't mean financial salvation for the struggling airlines, analysts warn. High fuel prices and low fares mean most carriers will continue to lose money this year, even as demand grows.

"Right now, carriers have very little ability to pass on the additional costs in the price of a ticket," May said.

According to his group, ticket prices are comparable to what consumers paid during the mid-1980s. Meanwhile, the industry will spend an additional $5.5 billion for fuel this year.

"The demand is great," Smith said. "But we still have a lot of challenges."

In the Know

Swarms of passengers will fill the airlines this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday. If you're flying, experts recommend:

Pack light. Carry-on bins will fill up quickly, and airlines will strictly enforce baggage limits.

Give yourself plenty of time at the airport for long check-in and security lines: at least one hour for domestic flights, two for international.

Parking will fill up quickly, so consider having someone drop you off at the airport.

Check in online, at curbside or at an airport kiosk.

Wear clothing and shoes that are free of metal, which can slow down the security screening.

Prepare for your screening while you wait in line. Remove shoes and coats and stow metal items in your bags.

Don't bother trying to fly standby -- available seats will be nearly impossible to find.