Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have anticipated and speculated as to when we’d return to travel normalcy. And we finally have the answer: we won’t—return, that is.
Instead, we’re in the midst of a new normal of travel: one that looks a bit like pre-COVID travel, but with new challenges and opportunities, such as budgeting more for travel due to inflation and prioritizing the environment when planning a trip.
Beyond the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, it’s Americans' travel behaviors that signal—and solidify—that the new normal of travel is here.
Last month, we asked more than 1,300 U.S.-based TripIt users about their recent and upcoming travel plans. Here’s what you need to know according to our data:
- Expect a busy summer travel season: Nearly all (88%) respondents plan to travel this summer.
- Travel plans trend up and to the right: 43% of respondents said they’ve traveled more in the past year than in previous ones. And going forward, 91% plan to travel more than or about the same as they did this past year.
- Travelers are spending more*, but they’re also more prepared: 74% of respondents had already booked or partially booked their summer travel plans. And they have their travel documents in order, too: 72% said they already have a REAL ID, and 84% have passport validity for at least the next year.
Let’s take a closer look at these trends, plus what else travelers had to say.
The future of travel is more of it
To better understand our new travel normal, let’s first reflect on travel volume over the past year. Nearly half (43%) of respondents said they’ve traveled more in the past year than in previous ones; 31% said they’ve traveled about the same; 27% said they’ve traveled less.
Since February:
- 68% of American travelers have taken a flight within the U.S.
- 65% have stayed at a hotel
- 59% have taken a road trip
- 32% have flown internationally
- 25% have taken a trip to stay with family or friends
Of those who’ve flown in the past three months, 81% said their flight boarded on time and 40% said their flight landed early at their destination. Of those who took a road trip, 60% said it was hassle-free and 7% said they actually paid less for gas than expected.
Looking ahead, almost all (91%) respondents plan to travel more than or about the same as they did this past year; just 9% will travel less. This summer alone, nearly nine in 10 respondents plan to travel:
- 50% plan to visit family and friends
- 46% will fly domestically
- 38% will travel internationally
- 35% are planning a business or bleisure trip
Traveling “more” or “less” can feel intangible, so we asked travelers what their typical year of travel looks like. Here’s what they said:
So, why do Americans plan to travel more in the year ahead? More than two-thirds (69%) said they have a general desire to travel more.
Other top reasons included:
- Bucket-list trips (38%)
- Increased business travel (34%)
- Upcoming events (30%)
- Travel feeling safe again (27%)
“Travelers are excited to get back out there after three years of too many missed trips,” said Jen Moyse, Vice President of Product for TripIt. “Nearly three quarters of respondents to our March survey said they’re feeling optimistic about their travel plans for the year. And we expect that excitement to translate into high demand this summer, especially after seeing TSA numbers for Memorial Day weekend surpass pre-pandemic levels.
“However, higher demand means more opportunity for travel disruptions,” Jen shared. “My advice for smooth summer travel is to make a plan b and pack your patience. Keep in mind the travel industry is still experiencing labor shortages and flight crews, hotel staff, travel agents, and other service workers are doing the best they can. Practicing patience and civility can help you (and fellow travelers) make the most of your trip—even if you do encounter disruptions. In the end, don’t let disruptions ruin your trip. Plan ahead by packing an extra change of clothes, essential items or medications, device chargers, and snacks in your carry-on bag in case you experience delays.”
Costs matter most to American travelers
Respondents also ranked cost as their top priority when booking a trip, followed by cultural experiences, and personal safety and well-being.
We found that cost matters even more to travelers age 40 and younger. Our survey data shows 89% of respondents in that age bracket chose cost as a top priority when booking a trip, compared to 77% of respondents age 41 and older.
It’s not difficult to see why Americans prioritize cost when it comes to planning their trips. According to survey data we released in March, 79% of Americans said inflation had impacted their travel planning for the year ahead. Over a quarter (26%) of survey respondents said inflation has caused them to budget more than usual for travel.
How much more? More than a quarter (27%) said they would spend at least $5,000 more; some said $10,000+ more.
“Travel is expensive right now, and ticket prices will rise as summer travel demand picks up,” said Jen. “My advice for people who know where or when they want to travel this summer is to book your trip now and monitor for potential price drops. Waiting to book could mean getting stuck with multiple layovers or less-than-desirable flight times. Travelers who want extra reassurance that they are getting the best price can benefit from using the TripIt Pro Fare Tracker feature after they’ve booked a flight. TripIt Pro monitors existing flights in your itinerary for ongoing changes in price and alerts you when a potential airline credit or refund may be available.
“If you have a flexible schedule or are open to any destination, then keep an eye on travel deals and book quickly when a deal surfaces. Those deals are usually short-lived, but a great way to save big—especially when booking family travel.”
High prices and travel woes have molded more prepared travelers
To help mitigate rising costs—among other reasons—many Americans plan their trips in advance. At the time of the survey, 74% of respondents had already booked or partially booked their summer travel plans.
Of those who had not yet booked (26%), most (45%) are waiting on summer travel schedules; 19% are waiting for business travel approval; and another 19% wait to book travel plans until one month before.
But booking one month before isn’t the norm; in fact, just 14% of Americans said they do this. Most (41%) plan two to three months in advance.
Many Americans have their travel documents in order, too: 72% of respondents said they already have a REAL ID, and 84% have passport validity for at least the next year.
In part, recent headlines about travel chaos have lent to this level of preparation: 86% of respondents said they’ve adjusted their behavior in some way to minimize the risk of travel disruptions. Nearly half (45%) said they now only book with brands they trust; 37% arrive at the airport earlier than ever before; and 34% avoid checking a bag.
Real-life experiences play a role here, too: While 81% of respondents said their recent flights boarded on time, 36% experienced a delay of an hour or more and 10% had a flight canceled.
Being more mindful in the next normal
While the experience of travel will never be perfect, there are ways to mitigate stress, be more mindful while traveling, take into account the impact trips have on the local economy and environment, and more.
Indeed, when we asked travelers about their top priorities, 52% said cultural experiences, yet very few said they prioritize limiting their impact on the environment (4%) and the local economy (4%) when they travel.
These gaps are opportunities for what comes next in travel: more travel—yes—but also, more intentional planning; more mindful experiences; and making more of a positive impact on the places we travel to and the people we meet along the way.
* According to survey data we released in March 2023.
Methodology: TripIt surveyed more than 1,300 U.S.-based users to understand their past and upcoming travel plans, plus their priorities, attitudes, and behaviors regarding travel and travel planning. The survey took place May 5-16, 2023.
