New projections from AAA estimate that more than 109 million Americans will travel during the holiday period between December 23 and January 3, a number approaching the pre-pandemic record 119 million travelers during the winter holiday period in 2019, reports CNN. According to AAA, airlines are projected to carry 6.4 million travelers, roughly triple the number from last year.

Transportation Security Administrator (TSA) David Pekoske predicts that the Christmas rush will be busy, but noted that the single busiest travel day of 2021 has already passed: the Sunday after Thanksgiving. TSA reported screening over 2.4 million people on November 28, about 85% of the volume screened on the same day in 2019, before the pandemic. Pekoske forecasts December 23 and January 3 will be the busiest days of the winter holiday season, stating that the Sunday and Monday after Christmas will see "a convergence of travelers returning home from Christmas trips and heading out for New Year's vacations."

The British government has lifted its restrictions on travelers arriving from 11 African countries on its "red list," reports The New York Times. Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, which maintained similar red lists, followed Britain's lead and lifted restrictions as well. The African countries were put on the “red list” in November, requiring anyone arriving in Britain from those countries to quarantine at their own expense in government-approved hotels for 10 days. On Tuesday, Britain's health secretary, Sajid Javid, announced the end of the “red list” restrictions that applied to Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Mr. Javid said he would consider whether travelers who were already in quarantine hotels would have to finish their 10-day stay. Fully vaccinated travelers coming to England from anywhere still have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken recently before departure, and then take a PCR test within two days of arrival and stay in quarantine until they receive a negative result.

President Joe Biden has signed an Executive Order designed to modernize several major government services, including the ability to renew passports online and the implementation of technology to speed up airport wait times, reports Travel Pulse. US citizens currently looking to renew their passports must use in-person or mail-facilitated renewal processes, which can take between 8-11 weeks. The Executive Order, signed into law on Monday, will allow online renewals to be completed within 5-7 weeks. While the Executive Order is now law, a timetable for when the digital passport renewal will go live was not revealed. Additionally, the Secretary of Homeland Security was tasked with testing innovative technologies at airport security checkpoints to reduce traveler wait times. Homeland Security will provide new opportunities for travelers to connect with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including online chat, improved communication during screenings, and additional mechanisms to provide feedback.

Travel experts believe getting a duplicate passport may be beneficial for certain international travelers, particularly frequent business travelers and individuals who travel often to countries that require travelers to submit their passport in order to get a visa, reports The Washington Post. The US State Department allows citizens to obtain a second passport under certain circumstances; individuals considering a second passport need a valid US passport and have to meet a short list of additional requirements. For frequent business travelers and travelers who are applying for visas or immigration documentation, a second copy of their passport can help streamline the process in getting a visa or the need for multiple visas. Additionally, a second passport can reduce issues traveling to countries with restrictive entry policies. A second passport costs $110, the same as a replacement passport. The State Department publishes a fee calculator on its site that will help determine the exact price, based on passport type and processing method. Second passports are only valid for up to four years.

American Airlines, British Airways, and several of its joint venture partner carriers will launch new ongoing and seasonal transatlantic routes through spring, reports Business Travel News. American will operate daily service between Charlotte, NC, and Rome from April 5 to October 29, 2022. Beginning June 3, 2022, British Airways will fly five times a week between London Heathrow and Portland, OR, and four times a week between Heathrow and Pittsburgh, PA. Iberia Airlines plans to increase its capacity between April and October on flights between Madrid and New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Juan, PR, as well as offer 19 weekly flights between Madrid and Mexico. Meanwhile, Finnair will fly between Helsinki and Dallas from February 6, 2022, to October 30, 2022, four times a week, and between Helsinki and Seattle from June 1 to October 29 three times a week.