Spring Break Travelers Face Mix of Delays and Smooth Trips

As spring break travel surges, some Utah-bound travelers report long lines and disruptions while others have uneventful journeys.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:35pm

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As spring break travel picks up across the country, some travelers are running into delays and long lines at airports, while others say their trips are going off without major problems. Reports of college students being delayed or rerouted while trying to return to Utah from spring break trips have some travelers reconsidering their plans in the coming weeks. Concerns about TSA staffing and the busy travel season are adding to the uncertainty.

Why it matters

Spring break is a peak travel season, and the mix of smooth and disrupted trips highlights the challenges travelers may face as they look to get away for the holidays. The reports from Utah suggest broader trends playing out at airports nationwide, with some travelers able to navigate the crowds and others facing significant delays.

The details

At Salt Lake International Airport, some travelers like the Thomas family from Texas reported relatively easy journeys, while others like the Garish couple from New York described chaotic scenes with overwhelming crowds. One traveler, Linda Larsen of North Ogden, said she spent hours at the airport before realizing her trip to Florida likely wouldn't happen due to canceled flights and delays. Travel agents advise booking trips well in advance and arriving at the airport extra early to avoid potential headaches.

  • As spring break travel picks up across the country
  • On Monday, March 16, 2026

The players

Whitney Thomas

A traveler from Texas who took a spring break ski trip to Utah.

Suzy Thomas

The daughter of Whitney Thomas, who experienced longer than expected boarding times during her Utah trip.

Levi Thomas

A member of the Thomas family from Texas who was disappointed by the warm temperatures during their Utah ski vacation.

Hadlee Garish

A traveler who flew in from New York's JFK Airport and described the crowds there as "wild".

Monty Garish

Hadlee Garish's travel companion, who agreed the crowds at JFK were "pretty bad".

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What they’re saying

“We got to the airport a little bit earlier today and didn't have any issues going through TSA.”

— Whitney Thomas (fox13now.com)

“It was kind of taking a really long time getting on, so I kind of thought it was useless waking up early.”

— Suzy Thomas (fox13now.com)

“It was wild. It was 6 a.m. when we got to the airport and it was just weaving through every line possible.”

— Hadlee Garish (fox13now.com)

“People were outside in the baggage area for curbside and I've never seen so many people.”

— Monty Garish (fox13now.com)

“Just be calm and kind and hang in there.”

— Hadlee Garish (fox13now.com)

The takeaway

The mix of smooth and disrupted spring break travel experiences in Utah highlights the broader challenges facing travelers during peak holiday seasons, with some able to navigate the crowds and delays while others face significant setbacks. Advance planning, arriving early, and maintaining patience are key to avoiding potential headaches.