Expect Longer Airport Wait Times Starting Monday

The United States will start welcoming foreign visitors on Monday. This goes for both air travelers and border crossings. And with the reopening comes the expected increase in airport wait times.

The United States requires international visitors to present proof of COVID19 vaccination, a negative COVID19 test, and other documents. And with this, travelers can expect bottlenecks.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said that “It’s going to be a bit sloppy at first, I can assure you”. He added that “There will be lines, unfortunately”.

Airport Wait Times

Airlines are preparing for the return of eager travelers entering the US. According to Virgin Atlantic spokesperson Andrew Scott, most US-bound flights are sold out. This includes flights from London to New York on the first day.

United Airlines expects more than 30,000 travelers to fly on Monday. That’s equivalent to a busy summer day for United. According to United’s spokesperson Nicole Carriere, the flights are going to be “fairly full”.

For Delta, the carrier expects planes to be relatively full for the next weeks. Since the US announced welcoming international travelers, Delta’s bookings recorded a 450% increase from travelers outside the US. Among popular destinations include New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Orlando, Florida.

British Airlines is offering 26 flights to 15 US destinations on Monday. And also, the flights will now have a mix of travelers from both US and non-US citizens.

Travelers Will Feel Different

Airlines are expecting international travelers to feel different about the new rules. And with unfamiliarity with the new rules, travelers are advised to anticipate longer airport wait times than what they are used to. Most passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight.

Both US and foreign airlines remind travelers about the entry restrictions. Passengers are pointed to mobile apps where they can upload their documents including test results and vaccination proof.

American Airlines sends reminders to travelers about the new US entry rules multiple times. Travelers get the reminder once they book, a week following the booking, 72 hours, and 24 hours before the flight.