With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, airports are gearing up for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, in spite of recent flight reductions. According to AAA, an estimated six million travelers in the U.S. are expected to fly domestically during the Thanksgiving season.
When planning your holiday travel, it’s important to keep in mind which days are expected to be the busiest. Based on trends from previous years, NerdWallet predicts the busiest Thanksgiving season travel days to be:
- Friday, November 21
- Tuesday, November 25
- Wednesday, November 26
- Sunday, November 30
The Sunday after Thanksgiving has historically been the busiest single day of the entire year at U.S. airports, according to CLEAR. To help ensure a smoother travel experience this holiday season, we recommend the following when booking your trip:
- Travel on historically less busy days: Saturday before (November 22), Monday before (November 24), and Friday after (November 28) (NerdWallet).
- Fly on Thanksgiving Day, when possible: From 2021 to 2024, Thanksgiving Day has consistently seen the lowest airport traffic each year (NerdWallet).
- Book flights between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.: Flights during this window experience 22% fewer cancellations on average (Expedia).
- Avoid tight layovers (especially when traveling with young children): Give yourself extra time for bathroom breaks, snacks, and stroller setups between connections. Aim for at least a 90-minute layover when flying with small children.
- Check the airline's policy for traveling with children: Most airlines allow parents to select seats for the children on their reservation; however, policies vary. Review your airline’s seating policy and purchase seats in advance if necessary.
Look out for Part 2 of our Preparing for Thanksgiving Travel series, where we’ll share more travel insights and tips.