A forecast by Airlines for America published in the LA Times predicts that airports will be crowded this summer and empty cabin seats extremely rare as Americans take to the skies in numbers that are expected to edge closer to the pre-recession peak. Nearly 209 million people will fly on U.S.-based airlines this summer, up 1% from last summer, according to a projection released by the trade group for the nation's airlines. The travel forecast would mark the fourth year in a row that passenger totals have increased, climbing close to the all-time high of nearly 218 million in 2007. U.S. carriers are expected to set a new record with 27 million travelers flying to international destinations this summer.