TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of people flocked in and out of Tampa International Airport on one of two busiest days for travel.
More than 90,000 people are estimated to have traveled through TPA on Saturday. The same is projected for the Saturday after the Christmas holiday. The weekend after New Year's Day is also projected to be "extremely busy."
"It went very smoothly except for the delay, but we made it here," Mary Benziger, who is visiting family in Sarasota, said. "We're happy."
Despite a number of delays, passengers credited TPA for a smooth experience and living up to its standard for one of the best airports in the country.
This year, J.D. Power ranked TPA the best large airport in the U.S. The Wall Street Journal also ranked it among the top 10 best airports of 2023 and it also ranked third in favorite domestic airports, according to one survey.
Meanwhile, those like Nina DeNaro of Riverside Heights in Tampa said they felt some nerves heading to the airport, but the process went better than expected.
"On the way here, we had to pass the mall and we saw how chaotic the mall was so I was a little worried about how the airport was, but we were the only ones in line to check our bags," DeNaro said.
TPA broke a record on Thanksgiving and now, the airport is expecting around 80,000 passengers per day during the three-week Christmas and New Year's holiday period.
TPA's parking garages are expected to reach capacity during peak times, therefore some briefly close and travelers without reservations may be bumped to alternative lots, airport officials said.
For a smooth travel, TPA suggests the following:
- Plan ahead for parking. Passengers may book parking online in advance.
- Arrive two hours before departure and three for international trips.
- Passengers with carry-on luggage can take advantage of its Blue Express Curbsides, which lead straight to the ticketing level.
- Check for any treats or items that can be confiscated or prohibited during security screenings.