COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) are preparing for an avalanche of passengers during this winter holiday season. Between Friday, December 19, and Friday, January 2, more than 230,000 passengers are scheduled to depart from Columbus-area airports.
| Busiest travel day | Scheduled departing and arriving airline seats |
|---|---|
| Friday, December 19 | 17,300 |
| Sunday, December 28 | 17,000 |
| Monday, December 29 | 16,700 |
| Tuesday, December 30 | 17,600 |
Traditional holiday travel combines with football fandom during the last days of December. On Tuesday, December 30, airlines added seats to serve nearly 2,000 passengers from John Glenn International to the Dallas area, accommodating Buckeye fans going long and traveling to Texas for the Cotton Bowl. Nearly 1,700 seats are running back and scheduled to return on Thursday, January 1.
To keep on cheering (O-H) and fill yourself with holiday cheer:
Santa starts with an empty sack, so should you. TSA recommends you start with an empty bag when packing, so you can be sure it doesn’t contain prohibited items. Don’t forget to check the prohibited items list (and maybe check it twice)!
Choose the parking option that’s best for your sleigh. Visit flycolumbus.com to see all the options. From valet to shuttle, there’s an option for every lifestyle and budget. Don’t forget to secure your valuables, or better yet, leave them at home.
‘Son of a nutcracker!’ You’ll be on time if you give yourself extra time at the airport. It’s the best way to spread holiday cheer! We recommend arriving 90 minutes before a domestic flight and two hours before an international flight. The average TSA wait times are right on the homepage at flycolumbus.com, or check this page for hourly estimates.
Make sure your ID is TSA-approved so your travel’s not a ‘Grinch’ of a trip! Check the requirements to make sure you can enter Who-ville.
To eat, drink, and be merry during your trip, check out the terminal map to learn where to get the best pre-board bite or last-minute gift item!
Don’t spend ‘Eight Nights’ waiting by the curb! Use our additional cell phone lot, located between the air traffic control tower and the terminal for smoother passenger pickups.