222 million passengers set to fly this summer in increase
Americans are getting sky high this summer.
About 222 million passengers are expected to take off throughout the US between June and August — a 4.5 percent increase from last year, according to the trade group Airlines for America.
The cityās airports — including LaGuardia, JFK and Newark — topped the charts with the busiest airport activity in the country with Los Angeles, Denver, Las Vegas and Chicago ranking in the top five.
The increase in flyers includes a record high of 3šÆ1 million travelers on international flights.
Airlines are also adding more seats to accommodate passengers, boasting 126,000 new seats to accommodate the 2.4 million passengers expecteź¦«d to fly daily, according to Airlines for America.
The overall increase is likely a combination ofā low gas prices and a healthier economy.
āThe continued rišŖse in U.S. consumer sentiment and employment is leading to more people traveling more often,ā said John Heimlich, the chišøef economist at Airlines for America.