Memorial Day 2025 begins smoothly at Atlanta's airport

ATLANTA - Memorial Day weekend travel is in full gear, and officials at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta have proven they are ready for the crowds.

It has been a smooth day so far at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

When we checked in with FOX 5's Tyler Fingert at noon, the main security checkpoint was surprisingly clear—even though the TSA had said they were expecting more than 111,000 passengers to pass through security on Friday and a total of 2.6 million passengers over the entire Memorial Day travel period.

The story remained much the same at 4 p.m., with no long lines or major issues reported at the airport. However, FOX 5 meteorologist Jonathan Stacey says that could change in the coming days.

The holiday weekend may be dry to start, but certainly not dry to finish. As we get into the second half of the weekend, there is once again the potential for severe storms in North Georgia—and that could cause trouble at the airport.

MORE: Inside ATL's 24/7 emergency ops center as summer travel season takes off

What we know:

The travel period began on Tuesday and runs through the Wednesday after Memorial Day.

This year is expected to be busier than last year's busy holiday period, with 143,000 more passengers anticipated during the same timeframe.

On Friday, more than 375,000 passengers are expected to fly out of or into the Atlanta airport - and officials say they are ready for any situation that could unfold.

Airport officials say they have 63,000 team members working around the clock to get people through security and to their gates quickly, so their summer travel plans can kick off on the right note.

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What they're saying:

Traveler Mya Jackson is heading to Houston for the holidays and said the crowds were what she expected to see on Friday morning.

"It’s about right. It seems like how it usually is. In the morning it’s busy, but the afternoon is when it gets really busier" she said. "So that's why I fly in the morning time."

Her best advice? Come early and don't forget to set your alarm.

Travelers Anthony and Sylvia Patterson were heading out to celebrate a graduation. They said they always arrive hours early to make sure they're at their gate with time to spare.

What you can do:

To help travelers navigate the crowds, airport officials say you should plan ahead and be sure to arrive early. For domestic flights, passengers should arrive 2 to 3 hours before departure, and at least 3 hours early for international travel.

For travelers driving to the airport, officials say you should plan ahead for potential delays or slower-moving traffic while construction is underway at the South Terminal.

If you're planning to park at the airport, the construction of a new parking deck is underway, meaning that the traffic flow may be slightly different from what you may be used to. If it's been a minute since the last time you flew, you may be unaware that rates went up at the end of April. 

Busy Atlanta Memorial Day traffic periods

Dig deeper:

While many metro Atlanta residents are flying the friendly skies, many are also hitting the roads.

AAA says the key to avoiding terrible traffic slowdowns is to leave early. The worst times to travel are between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and between 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Check traffic conditions here. 

For Memorial Day, avoid 4 to 7 p.m., the travel agency says.

Lane Closures Suspended

The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending all interstate lane closures starting at noon on Thursday, May 23, through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, to ease congestion and improve travel conditions during one of the year’s busiest travel weekends.

GDOT officials say a large influx of travelers is expected across Georgia, particularly in the metro Atlanta area near major attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park, and Six Flags Over Georgia. Peak traffic is expected Thursday and Friday afternoons between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m., with lighter congestion forecast for Sunday and Monday. Typical traffic patterns will resume by Tuesday evening.

On surface streets, drivers should expect heavy to normal traffic beginning late morning Wednesday, May 21, through Friday. Traffic should ease from Saturday through Tuesday. Express Lanes will follow their usual schedules, with no changes expected for the Northwest Corridor.

Travel trends from previous years show moderate to heavy congestion on I-75 near Stockbridge and Macon, I-24 near Chattanooga, and I-16 near Savannah. Light traffic is expected on I-85, I-20, and I-95 near the Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida borders.

GDOT encourages motorists to plan ahead, expect delays, and drive safely as they head into the holiday weekend.

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