Airline traffic finally topped pre-pandemic levels going into one of the busiest travel weekends yet

• AAA estimates that 47.7 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday weekend.
• The number of people traveling on airplanes has increased 164% compared to last year.
• Hotel and car rental prices have increased as more people are gearing up to travel.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

More than 2 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on Thursday, nearly tripling the number of travelers compared to 2020 and topping 2019 figures for the first time since the pandemic began.

AAA estimates that 47.7 million Americans will travel for the July Fourth weekend. 3.7 million of those people are expected to take to the skies increasing the number of travelers by 164% compared to last year.

-TSA (@TSA) July 2, 2021

"Travel is in full swing this summer, as Americans eagerly pursue travel opportunities they've deferred for the last year-and-a-half," AAA said in a press release. "We saw strong demand for travel around Memorial Day and the kick-off of summer, and all indications now point to a busy Independence Day to follow."

There were 37 million people estimated to travel during Memorial Day weekend, 2.7 million of those travelers choosing to fly instead of drive, AAA reports.

Travelers going by air this weekend may want to brush up on the many ways they can enhance the flying experience with early check-ins, apps for easy airport navigation, and more.

Prices are up

Airfare prices have decreased by 2% compared to last year, but hotel prices have jumped more than 30%, AAA says. Hotels aren't the only prices that have increased, AAA found that daily car rental prices have increased by 86% compared to July Fourth last year.

AAA estimates that 43.6 million Americans are expected to travel by car this holiday weekend. But gas prices are expected to be the most expensive since 2014, "with the national average likely to remain above $3 per gallon," AAA says.

"Higher gas prices won't deter road trippers this summer. In fact, we're expecting record-breaking levels of car travel this July Fourth," AAA said. "Though prices will remain above $3 a gallon, travelers are likely to look for more free activities or eat out less, but still take their vacations as planned."