The holidays are nearly here and students heading home for the season can now score flights for just $25 thanks to a partnership between Amazon Prime and StudentUniverse.
16.11.2023 - 16:39 / travelandleisure.com
Holiday travelers flying into Seattle’s international airport waited the longest for customs and immigration, making it one of the slowest international airport experiences in the United States.
International travelers who flew into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport waited an average of 31.6 minutes, according to a recent study from Upgraded Points, the most of any airport in the U.S. That was followed by Miami International Airport, which clocked an average wait time of 30.6 minutes, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which had an average wait time of 29.2 minutes.
Overall, the national average wait time during the last winter holiday season came in at just under 23 minutes.
«Our latest report details the discrepancies between anticipated and actual wait times at customs,» Alex Miller, the founder of Upgraded Points, said in a statement. «While some airports provide swift passages, others are akin to time traps. And since being stuck in a customs jam can sour even the sweetest vacation, we're hoping this latest study will help empower travelers with the knowledge they need to avoid the snags.»
Courtesy of Upgraded Points LLC
Not every airport had long wait times. In fact, Orange County’s John Wayne Airport only saw an average wait time of 4.6 minutes for customs and immigration. Busy Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also boasted an average wait time of only 5.9 minutes, while travelers flying into Palm Beach International Airport only waited an average of 6.6 minutes.
Factors like time of day and whether travelers were U.S. citizens or foreign nationals also affected wait times, according to the study. Travelers who arrived between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. waited about 20 percent longer compared to other times of the day. And non-U.S. citizens waited approximately 66 percent longer than their U.S. citizen counterparts.
To complete the study, the company analyzed peak 2022 winter holiday season airport wait data from the Custom and Border Protection (CBP).
The study comes as more than 55 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year with 4.7 million of them expected to fly. Major airlines in the U.S. are also forecasting record numbers of travelers, and United Airlines, for example, expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever.
The holidays are nearly here and students heading home for the season can now score flights for just $25 thanks to a partnership between Amazon Prime and StudentUniverse.
Belize, a small Central American country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs. Among its many jewels, Caye Caulker stands out as a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable snorkeling experience. The crystal-clear waters surrounding this charming island provide a gateway to a mesmerizing underwater world, making snorkeling at Caye Caulker one of the best things to do in Belize. Caye Caulker, often referred to as the “Go Slow” island, is a tranquil paradise located off the coast of Belize. With its laid-back atmosphere, sandy streets, and colorful Caribbean-style houses, the island offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While Caye Caulker has much to offer in terms of relaxation and natural beauty, it is the underwater realm that truly captivates visitors.
Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union were nearing a new labor deal ahead of the holiday season, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Friday.
Universal theme parks around the world are in the midst of a period of unprecedented growth. The second Super Nintendo World — which is the first in the U.S. — opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in February. In Florida, Universal Orlando is building an entirely new theme park slated to open in 2025 called Epic Universe. You'd think Universal would have its hands full already, but you'd be wrong.
“If you need to update Facebook, do it now,” the conductor announces over the tannoy. The passengers chuckle but dutifully pull out their phones. As we trundle into the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, we’re about to enter another mobile dead zone.
When it comes to single malt whiskey, America has been, fittingly, like the Wild West. Sure, there are some basic rules that everyone follows—the whiskey must be produced from malted barley at a single distillery in the United States—but after that things have been wide open.
Demand for U.S. visas from Indian travelers are at record highs. But 500-day wait times or longer continue to hinder travel to the U.S.
Traveling during the holidays is stressful enough and every little obstacle along the way can feel amplified. While many factors can play a part in flight interruptions and delays, a new study by Upgraded Points takes a look back at nearly a decade of historical data spanning 2014 to 2022 to find out which airports tend to have the best and worst track records for punctuality during the holiday season.
The largest ski resort in the United States is now one of the nation's most accessible.
Air New Zealand is celebrating Cyber Monday with a major sale that has flights to Auckland starting as low as $1,033.
A vacationing family says American Airlines needs to pay up after their trip home from Jamaica became a headache when the air carrier canceled their flight.