ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’re considering flying out for the holidays, it turns out that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day could be your best bet for a hassle-free travel experience.

At Orlando International Airport, passengers on Christmas Eve were pleasantly surprised by the light foot traffic, minimal security lines, and an unexpectedly smooth journey. Many had anticipated the usual holiday rush, yet the airport was far from chaotic.

“You’d think Christmas Eve would mean bustling terminals,” remarked Yvette Rawls-Parks, a traveler departing from Orlando. “It was quite astonishing—there were no lines at TSA. Everyone was in a cheerful holiday mood, which was lovely.”

The morning at the airport saw a steady yet calm flow of activity, with luggage arriving on time and security procedures running efficiently. Some frequent flyers shared that traveling on the holiday has always been their go-to approach.

“I’ve always chosen to fly on Christmas,” shared Elena Tyson. “That’s been a family tradition for us, and I highly recommend it. Although, it seems others might be catching on to this travel hack.”

According to AAA, airfare is significantly more expensive this holiday season, averaging nearly $900 per ticket. The days leading up to Christmas are typically the most expensive, while fares on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are generally lower.

AAA estimates 8.03 million people will travel by air during the holiday season, marking the first time the number has surpassed 8 million. Despite that record-setting forecast, conditions at Orlando International Airport on Christmas Eve were quieter than some travelers anticipated.

“I’m surprised,” said Paul, another traveler at the airport. “You look at the websites, and they tell you how many people are traveling, and I’m surprised there are just not a lot of people right now.”

Transportation Security Administration wait times fluctuated at points during the day, and officials advised travelers to monitor conditions before arriving at the airport.

AAA expects Christmas Day to be even quieter, with heavier travel returning later in the week as holiday travelers head back home. Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status in advance and arrive early to account for any potential delays.

Despite ongoing upgrades to the airport’s Gate Link tram system, there were no visible disruptions to passenger movement on Christmas Eve. Trams continued to run smoothly throughout the day.