Ruth Haines
Thanksgiving is a time for family reunions and celebrations, and for many, it also means navigating busy airports. With Thanksgiving week being one of the peak travel times in the US, it is no surprise that airports see record-setting numbers during this period. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is consistently reported as the busiest airport day of the year, with long lines and crowded terminals. However, travellers can find some respite by choosing to fly on the actual Thanksgiving Day, which is often the least crowded and offers cheaper rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest day to fly during Thanksgiving week | The Sunday after Thanksgiving |
| Least busy day to fly during Thanksgiving week | Thanksgiving Day |
| Second least busy day to fly during Thanksgiving week | Black Friday |
| Least busy day to travel post-Thanksgiving | Wednesday after Thanksgiving |
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What You'll Learn
Thanksgiving Day is the least busy day to fly
Thanksgiving week is a peak travel time in the US, with major crowds at airports. However, Thanksgiving Day itself is the least busy day to fly. In 2024, the number of passengers screened in US airports reached all-time highs multiple times, but Thanksgiving Day was an exception. On this day, just 1.5 million people were at the airport, slightly more than half of the number on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Data from checkpoint travel numbers from 2021 to 2023 shows that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day to fly. In contrast, Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded, making it one of the best days to fly during the Thanksgiving period. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving is also one of the least busy days to travel, as is Black Friday.
Flying on Thanksgiving Day can be cheaper than flying on other days of the week. The average domestic airfare for Thanksgiving Day is $244, compared to $326 for the Wednesday before and $443 for the Sunday after.
However, some people may be concerned about flying on Thanksgiving Day itself due to the risk of missing dinner if something goes wrong with the flight. There may also be fewer staff available at the airport on the holiday itself, so any issues that arise are more likely to strand passengers.
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The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day to fly
Thanksgiving is a time when many people travel to meet their loved ones, and it is historically one of the peak travel times in the US. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day to fly, with more than 2.9 million people passing through US airport security checkpoints on this day in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
In contrast, Thanksgiving Day is the quietest day at the airports, with just 1.5 million people travelling, slightly more than half of Sunday's figures. This is also the cheapest day to fly. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving is the least busy day to travel post-holiday, and if you can work remotely, it is a good option to avoid taking vacation days. Black Friday is the third least crowded day to fly on average, and a great way to avoid both airport and retail crowds.
If you are able to be flexible with your scheduling, you can save money and avoid the chaos. For example, the Saturday before Thanksgiving is the least crowded day, followed by the Monday before and the Thursday before. The days to avoid travelling are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which are extremely busy.
The debate between driving and flying depends on several variables, including the number of people in the car, the cost of checking bags, and the possibility of facing heavy traffic. Thanksgiving week is expected to be busy on the roads, with a record 71.7 million people travelling by car, an increase of 1.3 million from the previous year.
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The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a busy travel day
Thanksgiving is one of the peak travel times in the US, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving being the worst day of the year to fly. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, more than 2.9 million people crossed through US airport security checkpoints on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest day for travelers heading to their destination. According to travel platforms, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is also expected to be crowded. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day of the year, with the number of passengers screened in US airports reaching all-time highs multiple times.
The best way to avoid crowds is to fly on Thanksgiving Day or three days earlier, on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day is the lowest-traffic travel day of the holiday period, with just 1.5 million people at airports, slightly more than half of Sunday's figures. Flying on Thanksgiving Day can also be cheaper than flying on other days of the week.
If you must travel during the weekend, consider flying on Black Friday, which is the third least-crowded day to fly on average. This is a great way to avoid both airport and retail crowds.
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Black Friday is the third-least crowded day to fly
Thanksgiving week is a peak travel time in the US, with major crowds at airports. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day to fly, with long lines at security checkpoints. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also a busy travel day.
However, some days during Thanksgiving week are less crowded at airports. Thanksgiving Day itself is the least crowded day to fly, with lower rates and easier navigation. The Monday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday after are also relatively less busy.
Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is the third-least crowded day to fly on average. It is a great option for those who want to avoid airport crowds and the rush of retail shopping. Flying on Black Friday can be a strategic choice to benefit from lower crowds and potentially lower prices.
While Black Friday offers some advantages for travellers, it is important to consider the potential challenges. There may be fewer flights available on Black Friday, and travellers should be prepared for the possibility of reduced staff and limited support in case of any issues. It is always advisable to plan ahead, especially during the busy holiday season.
Overall, for those looking to travel during the Thanksgiving week, Black Friday presents a window of opportunity to navigate airports with relatively lower congestion.
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The days before Thanksgiving are more expensive to fly
Thanksgiving is a busy time for airports, and the days before the holiday are often more expensive to fly. While Thanksgiving Day itself tends to be the cheapest and least crowded day to fly, the days leading up to the holiday see an increase in travel demand and ticket prices.
Data from checkpoint travel numbers and TSA passenger data shows that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is typically the busiest and most expensive day to fly. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, more than 2.9 million people passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on this day, making it the busiest single day of the year at U.S. airports.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also identified as one of the busiest travel days. This day is expected to be crowded with travellers heading to their Thanksgiving destinations. Similarly, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is likely to be busy as well.
On the other hand, Thanksgiving Day stands out as the least crowded and least expensive day to fly during the holiday period. Airports see a decrease in traveller numbers, with only about 1.5 million people passing through security checkpoints on this day in recent years. This is attributed to people already being at their destinations and celebrating the holiday with their loved ones.
To save money and avoid the chaos, travellers are advised to be flexible with their scheduling. Extending the trip and flying on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving or even on Black Friday can be a strategic decision to bypass the crowds and take advantage of potentially lower prices.
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Frequently asked questions
Thanksgiving week is historically one of the peak travel times in the U.S. However, Thanksgiving Day is the least crowded day at the airport during the holiday period.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day at the airport. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, more than 2.9 million people crossed through U.S. airport security checkpoints on that day.
The Wednesday before and after Thanksgiving are also busy days at the airport. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Saturday after Thanksgiving are expected to be crowded as well.
Thanksgiving Day is the cheapest day to fly during Thanksgiving week, with an average domestic airfare of $244.
