CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Holiday travel has hit high gear across the U.S., and the surge is being felt at Charleston International Airport.
It is considered one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Between Christmas and New Year’s, more than 122 million Americans are expected to hit the roads and skies. Winter weather impacting parts of the country has already disrupted hundreds of flights nationwide, including dozens in the Lowcountry.
Over the past several days, travelers flying in and out of Charleston have seen a steady stream of delays. More than 50 delays were reported in a single day, and over the weekend, the airport recorded 125 delays and 16 cancellations.
Despite the holiday rush, FlightView data shows about 81 percent of flights arriving and departing Charleston International are still on time. Airport officials say even when weather conditions are clear locally, delays in major hub cities can create a domino effect that impacts arrivals and departures here.
Some travelers experienced unexpected detours. One New York family traveling to Hilton Head told News 4 their flight was delayed by about an hour and a half due to a mechanical issue. Once airborne, the flight was diverted to Charleston instead of Savannah because of bad weather.
Despite the setbacks, the family said they chose not to let the delays derail their vacation.
“So much of it’s out of your control — whether it’s mechanical issues or weather — you kind of have to know that going into it, but also know that the travel is worth it in the long run, the experience,” Liz Sposato said.
Other travelers said the shared delays were creating an unexpected sense of connection inside the terminal.
“It’s kind of just leaning on everybody here,” Sposato added. “Having a sense of humor about it is helpful — knowing everybody else is in it with you.”
Charleston International typically sees 150 to 200 flights per day, with especially busy travel days reaching closer to 300 flights. While delays have been frequent, FlightView data shows most departure delays at the airport have been brief, lasting 15 minutes or less.
Parents said even short waits can be challenging when traveling with children.
“They’re not as patient as we are, so making sure they have things to kind of fill their time and keep them busy helps,” Sposato said.
Nationwide, the holiday travel crunch has been even more noticeable. On Sunday alone, more than 11,000 flights were delayed across the U.S.
Some travelers said they were simply relieved to reach their destination.
“I’m glad I made it,” Evan Mora said. “I’m tired of going through TSA and dealing with airplanes and babies crying and kicking the seat and everything — so I’m definitely glad to be back.”
Airport officials say these delay patterns could continue through the remainder of the holiday travel period. They recommend travelers arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and check airline apps frequently for real-time updates.
Officials also urge travelers to stay flexible and be prepared for last-minute changes as the holiday rush continues. Travelers echoed that advice.
“It’s definitely really important, because so much of it is out of your control,” Sposato said.
