Airports And Thanksgiving: A Crowded Chaos?

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, with millions of people flying to see their families. But are airports crowded on Thanksgiving Day itself?

Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded at airports

Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded day at airports.

Thanksgiving week is a brutal time to travel. In 2024, the number of passengers screened in US airports reached all-time highs multiple times. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually the busiest airport day of the year, so it's likely that the 2024 Thanksgiving week broke records.

However, some days within Thanksgiving week are far less busy than others. The Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are the least crowded days to travel. But the quietest day is Thanksgiving Day itself.

Across the travel days for the week before and after Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day was the lowest-traffic day every year in a recent analysis by NerdWallet. If you book the first flight out, you might even land in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

One source suggests that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day of the year, but another says that it's not as bad as you might expect.

If you're travelling by car, the worst time to travel is likely to be Wednesday afternoon, with drivers heading out of town mixing with commuters. But Thanksgiving Day itself is smooth sailing on the highways.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day

Thanksgiving is a busy time for airports, and in 2024, the number of passengers screened in US airports reached all-time highs on multiple occasions. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually the busiest airport day of the year, with over 2.9 million people passing through US airport security checkpoints in 2023. This is compared to Thanksgiving Day itself, which sees around 1.5 million people at airports.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the worst day of the year to fly. It is the most crowded day, and it can also be the most expensive. In 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expected to screen a record-breaking 18.3 million people over the Thanksgiving period, with the Sunday after the holiday predicted to be the busiest day.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are the least crowded days to travel. Thanksgiving Day itself is also a good option for flying, as it is the least crowded day during the Thanksgiving period. Flying on the actual holiday can be cheaper, and airports and planes are quieter. However, there is a higher risk of delays and cancellations, as there are often skeleton staff working on these days.

If you want to avoid the crowds and chaos, it is best to avoid travelling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This day is extremely busy, and it can be costly. Instead, opt for travelling on the days before or after the holiday, such as the Saturday before or the Wednesday after. You can also consider flying on Thanksgiving Day itself, which tends to be much quieter and more relaxed.

The Saturday before and Wednesday after are the least crowded

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weekends for US airlines and airports, but some days are less crowded than others. The Saturday before and the Wednesday after Thanksgiving are the least crowded days to travel.

If you can be flexible with your schedule, you can save money and avoid the chaos. Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded travel day during the period from the Thursday before to the Thursday after the holiday. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, just 1.5 million people were at a US airport on Thanksgiving Day, compared to more than 2.9 million on the Sunday after.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually the busiest airport day of the year, and it's likely that many people will be travelling on the Wednesday before and the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. The Wednesday before is also a heavy traffic day on the roads.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds, it's best to avoid travelling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and instead opt for the Saturday before or the Wednesday after.

Air traffic controller shortages can cause ground delays

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest times for airports in the US, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving being the worst day to fly. In 2024, the number of passengers screened in US airports reached all-time highs multiple times.

Airports are always busy during the holiday season, and air traffic controller shortages can cause ground delays, which can further worsen the situation. Air traffic controllers are essential for ensuring the aviation industry operates safely and efficiently. While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the industry, the ATC shortage has not recovered in the same way that other areas of the industry have. This is due to retirements and the impact the pandemic had on training new personnel.

The shortage of air traffic controllers is an industry-wide problem, with the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) reporting an obvious shortage of controllers in almost every part of the world. In 2023, there was a reported shortage of 700-1,000 ATCOs across Europe. The issue is particularly prominent in the US, with a shortage of around 3,000 controllers across the country. This has caused significant complications in some regions, with over 800 flights delayed in less than two weeks due to ATC staffing issues.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working to address the shortage, and while hiring has exceeded targets, there is still a long way to go. The FAA hired 1,500 new controllers in 2023 and plans to hire another 1,800 in 2024. However, it will take years to fully recover from these staffing shortages, and in the meantime, airports will continue to face ground delays and increased traffic congestion during busy periods, such as Thanksgiving.

Flying on Thanksgiving can be cheaper

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weekends for US airlines and airports, but flying on Thanksgiving Day itself can be cheaper.

According to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded travel day at airports during the Thanksgiving period. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, just 1.5 million people were at US airports on Thanksgiving Day, compared to more than 2.9 million on the Sunday after—the busiest single day of the year at US airports.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are also relatively less crowded and cheaper days to fly.

If you're flying internationally, you may find that Thanksgiving is a relatively inexpensive time to fly overseas. One travel site representative noted that airlines struggle to fill seats on international flights during Thanksgiving, so they offer fantastic fares. However, this may not be ideal for young families, as Thanksgiving is a very familial holiday.

While flying on Thanksgiving Day can be cheaper, there are some potential drawbacks. There are far fewer flights available, and you may encounter skeleton staff at the airport and on your flight. This means that if something goes wrong, you're more likely to be stranded as there will be limited staff available to resolve issues.

To summarise, flying on Thanksgiving Day itself can be a great way to save money, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons before booking your trip.

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