Top apps for getting around this holiday travel season

Whether traveling home for the holidays or booking a trip at the last minute - mobile can lighten the stress of the busy travel season.

what happens:

As people all over the world prepare to return home for the holidays, this season will be one of their busiest activities yet. The AAA estimates a record high that 115.6 million Americans will travel this holiday season between December 21, 2019 and January 1, 2020. While travel comes with many pressures including busy airports, traffic-laden roads and more, mobile apps are The ideal travel companion for everything from booking, boarding, entertainment and navigation.

why does it matter:

If you are flying on this vacation, be sure to download your airline's app to help simplify both airport and onboard efficiencies including in-flight booking, discounts and entertainment. American Airlines also recently announced that the company will start accepting portable passport scans for international travel. American Airlines (# 7) and Southwest Airlines (# 6) are currently ranked # 1 in the top 10 travel apps with daily iPhone downloads as of December 14, 2019.

Knowing where you are going is the key to effective travel. Whether you're driving to the airport or taking a cross-country trip, apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you navigate busy roads and find the most efficient route to get you to your destination on time - helping to avoid congestion and roadblocks.

However, if you'd rather leave the driving for someone else - ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft can get you to your destination. These apps are also useful ways to travel home from holiday parties and often times, service providers or event sites may offer engagement offers or promotions.

Going deeper:

Although the holiday travel season is the busiest day of the year, mobile provides a powerful tool to allow travelers to reach their destinations with ease. Whether by land, sea or air, mobile will continue to play an increasing role in the future of the entire travel industry.

To reveal more about mobile travel status, register to be one of the first countries to receive the industry-leading 2020 Mobile Status Report:

 

This post is the latest in the Mobile Minute series that features App Annie's perspective on how mobile is affecting current events and consumer trends. Check in weekly for our latest news sessions and how the mobile transformation is shaping industries around the world.