- Record Traveler Volume: US airlines predict a record 31 million people will fly during the 11-day Thanksgiving travel period.
- Busiest Travel Days: The Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest day, with approximately 3.4 million passengers.
- Shutdown Impact: Airlines are recovering after the recent government shutdown caused thousands of flight disruptions due to air traffic controller shortages.
- International Travel Surge: International bookings for the holiday hit a record high, increasing by 10% over the previous year.
Following the end of a protracted federal government shutdown, US airlines are anticipating a record-breaking number of travelers during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period. Airlines for America (A4A), the industry’s lobbying group, predicts that carriers will transport over 31 million people between Friday, November 21, and Monday, December 1. The busiest travel days are expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with an estimated 3.4 million flyers, followed by the Monday after Thanksgiving, with approximately 3.1 million passengers.
The industry has expressed relief that the shutdown, which ended on November 12, is over. The closure led to a shortage of air traffic controllers working without pay, resulting in thousands of canceled and delayed flights and disrupting travel plans for an estimated six million people. Airline executives are now advocating for legislation to ensure air traffic controllers receive compensation during future shutdowns, hoping to prevent air travel from becoming a political issue.
Despite the recent disruptions, bookings rebounded immediately after the shutdown’s conclusion, with United Airlines reporting a 16% increase in bookings compared to the prior weekend. United also noted a record high in international trip bookings for the holiday period, up 10% from last year, with destinations like Cancun, London, and Frankfurt being top choices. While capacity is up across major network carriers, budget carrier Spirit Airlines has significantly reduced its domestic flying capacity due to ongoing financial restructuring.
