Abta has estimated almost two million people will be travelling on holiday overseas this weekend as the majority of schools break up for the summer.
Top short haul destinations are expected to be Turkey, Greece, Egypt, the Canary and Balearic islands and mainland Spain, according to Abta. Popular long haul destinations will be Dubai and Florida.
The association estimated 440,000 are due to fly from Heathrow, 250,000 from Gatwick, 139,000 from Stansted, 65,000 from Birmingham, and 65,000 from Luton.
A further 127,000 will leave from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports in addition to hundreds of thousands using regional airports and crossing the English channel.
Abta chairman John McEwan said: “I am delighted to see hundreds of thousands of us heading overseas this weekend, the traditional curtain raiser to the summer season.
“With prices having fallen in the eurozone and an improved exchange rate on last year, holidaymakers will get a pleasant surprise when they arrive in resort and head for local restaurants and bars.”