The Calm Before Thanksgiving Storm At Airports

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel in the US, with millions of people travelling to see family and friends. In 2024, nearly 80 million people were predicted to travel for Thanksgiving, with the majority of people travelling by car. However, the days before and after Thanksgiving are also busy for airports, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving usually the busiest airport day of the year. So, how slow is the airport before Thanksgiving? Well, Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded travel day at airports during the holiday period.

Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded travel day at airports

Thanksgiving is a busy time for travel, with millions of people taking to the roads and the skies to visit family and friends. However, if you're looking to avoid the crowds, Thanksgiving Day itself is the least crowded travel day at airports.

Analyses of checkpoint travel numbers from the Transportation Security Administration show that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day to fly during the holiday period. In contrast, Thanksgiving Day sees significantly lower passenger numbers, with just over half as many people at airports compared to the Sunday.

Flying on Thanksgiving Day can also be a more affordable option, with lower fares and fewer crowds. However, it's important to note that there may be a reduced number of flights available on this day. Those who choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day should still aim to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, as security checkpoints may have longer wait times due to increased travel numbers overall.

In addition to flying, driving is also a popular option for Thanksgiving travel. For those hitting the road, it's best to avoid peak traffic hours on Thanksgiving, which typically occur between 9 am and 3 pm. The Monday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Tuesday after, are also expected to be busy travel days, with bumper-to-bumper traffic and potential delays due to weather conditions or staffing issues.

So, if you're looking to avoid the chaos of crowded airports and busy roads, Thanksgiving Day is the best option for travelling during the holiday period. With lower passenger numbers and more affordable prices, it's a great time to fly, as long as you're prepared for potential schedule changes and delays.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest airport day of the year

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel in the US, with millions of people travelling by car, plane, or train to celebrate with their families. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest airport day of the year, with nearly 3 million people passing through security checkpoints.

In 2023, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was the busiest travel day in history at US airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA screened 2,907,378 people at airports across the country on Sunday, November 26, setting a new record for the busiest day ever for air travel. The previous record was set earlier that year in June, with 2.883 million passengers screened before the Fourth of July holiday.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to be the busiest airport day of the year, and 2024 was no exception. While exact figures are not yet available, predictions estimated that nearly 80 million people would travel for Thanksgiving, with 5.84 million people flying domestically, an increase of 2% from 2023. The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen a record 18.3 million people over the week of Thanksgiving, with Tuesday and Wednesday being the busiest days before the holiday.

The days following Thanksgiving tend to be extremely busy at airports as people return home from their holiday celebrations. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually the busiest day of the entire year at US airports, with over 2.9 million people passing through security checkpoints in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This is in stark contrast to Thanksgiving Day itself, which sees significantly lower traffic, with only about 1.5 million people at airports.

To avoid the crowds and chaos of the Sunday after Thanksgiving, travellers are advised to choose alternative days to fly. Thanksgiving Day itself tends to have lower traffic and fewer crowds, making it a good option for those who can be flexible with their travel plans. The Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are also less crowded and may be more affordable options for travellers.

The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest travel days

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel in the US, with millions of people travelling to their holiday destinations. In 2024, nearly 80 million people planned to travel for Thanksgiving, according to AAA. This was an increase of 2 million people compared to 2019, before the pandemic.

To avoid the crowds and congestion, travellers are advised to adjust their schedules and travel on days that are less crowded. The Saturday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are generally less busy. Thanksgiving Day itself also tends to be a lighter travel day, with fewer people at the airports and on the roads.

For those who must travel during the busy days, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early, typically two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. It is also beneficial to follow traffic apps and local news alerts to stay informed about potential delays and plan alternative routes if necessary.

The busiest travel days before Thanksgiving can be stressful and crowded, but with careful planning and flexibility, travellers can minimise delays and enjoy a smoother journey to their holiday destinations.

The Monday after Thanksgiving is also a busy travel day

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel in the US, with millions of people travelling to spend the holiday with their loved ones. While the days before Thanksgiving are extremely busy, the Monday after Thanksgiving is also a busy travel day as people return home.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen a record number of people over the Thanksgiving period, with Tuesday and Wednesday being the busiest days before the holiday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is also usually the busiest airport day of the year, with over 2.9 million people passing through US airport security checkpoints in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

However, Thanksgiving Day itself tends to be a quieter travel day, with just 1.5 million people at airports in 2021. This is because most people are already at their destination, and it falls on a Thursday, so people are less likely to be travelling for work.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, or on the Wednesday after the holiday. The Saturday before Thanksgiving is also a relatively quiet travel day. In contrast, the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are not only the busiest days, but also the most expensive to fly.

For those travelling by car, the roads are usually most congested the day before Thanksgiving between 2 pm and 6 pm. On Thanksgiving Day, the roads are busiest between 11 am and 3 pm. To avoid traffic, it is best to travel before 10 am or after 5 pm.

Overall, while the Monday after Thanksgiving is a busy travel day, there are other days during the Thanksgiving period that tend to be even busier, particularly the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday, and the Sunday after.

The cheapest days to fly are the busiest days

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, with millions of people flying to their holiday destinations. In 2024, AAA predicted that nearly 80 million people would travel for Thanksgiving, with 5.84 million people flying domestically.

The cheapest days to fly are often the busiest, and this is true of Thanksgiving travel. The Sunday before Thanksgiving is the cheapest day to fly, according to Hopper, and it is also the second busiest day of the week before Thanksgiving, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also expected to be busy, with bumper-to-bumper traffic and airport delays.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is typically the busiest airport day of the year, and in 2021, 2022, and 2023, it was the busiest single day at US airports, according to TSA passenger data. In 2023, nearly 3 million people crossed through US airport security checkpoints on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

If you want to avoid the crowds and save money, consider flying on Thanksgiving Day itself. It is the least crowded travel day during the holiday period, and you can often find lower fares. The Saturday before and the Wednesday after Thanksgiving are also good options, as they are less crowded and likely less expensive.

To get the best deals on Thanksgiving flights, it's recommended to book around two months in advance or by the end of October at the latest.

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