More people expected to fly during 4th of July compared to last year

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now )– Crowds continued to fill Reagan National Airport Saturday, as passengers travel for the Independence Day Holiday.

“It was packed when we was leaving. Good Lord God,” said Tina Johnson, who flew home to Upper Marlboro, Md, from Orlando, Fl.

She planned her trip so she would return before the start of the holiday.

“Didn’t want to be bothered with the crowds and the hype and the crowded places,” Johnson said.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts that more than 32 million passengers over the long holiday that started June 27, and ends July 8.

“Florida first. And then from there, I’m going to head to the Dominican Republic,” said Rockville’s Pedro Caba.

He had a good reason why he chose Saturday to fly.

“When I travel, though, I plan ahead,” Caba said. “And I saw the, the ticket was, like, pretty cheap and I bought it, but it doesn’t matter which day I fly, though.”

Caba’s also traveling internationally. Flying around the U.S. over the holiday averages $800, according to Triple-A. But, that’s 2% cheaper from a year ago.

Crowds picked up throughout the day, as many passengers arrived early.

“I like to be on time for my flight and you never know what’s going to happen during the weekend,” said Orlando’s Rebekah Barton–she arrived nearly five hours ahead of her flight home

All smiles for Tina Johnson, as she and her family made it home ahead of the crowds.

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