5 Ways To Survive Air Travel On The Busiest Thanksgiving Ever

Air travel will be bustling this Thanksgiving in a record-breaking year so far. Airlines for America expects “an all-time high” of over 31 million passengers over Thanksgiving from November 22 to December 2. That is a 5% increase over last Thanksgiving when airlines served over 29 million passengers.

On average, 2.8 million passengers are expected to fly each day of the holiday. A4A expects the busiest days will be Wednesday, November 27 and Sunday, December 1, with more than 3 million people flying. To make room for extra demand, U.S. airlines have added 150,000 more seats daily than offered during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday.

“We expect this Thanksgiving season to be the busiest on record, and U.S. airlines have been preparing for months to get travelers and cargo safely and efficiently to their destinations,” said Rebecca Spicer, A4A’s Senior Vice President of Communications.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million passengers from Tuesday, November 26, to Monday, December 2, a 6% increase over last year. The administration predicts the busiest travel days will be Tuesday, with over 2.8 million passengers; Wednesday, with 2.9 million, and Sunday, with over 3 million passengers.

“This holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods on record, and the vigilant people of the Transportation Security Administration stand ready to ensure the security and ease of travel,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Many members of the TSA workforce will be on duty throughout Thanksgiving Day and week.”

Here are five ways to survive the holiday rush, from Thanksgiving to the new year.

Use Airline and Airport Apps

Technology can make travel easier, with all major US airlines and most airports offering apps to help you manage the journey. Most airlines let you manage your booking directly on the app and even book new tickets if you need to change your travel plans. They also send helpful travel alerts if there are any flight delays or gate changes, and many now offer baggage tracking for added peace of mind. Many airport apps also offer helpful information, including the latest departures and arrivals situation and wayfinding.

“We encourage travelers to take advantage of these technologies and download their carrier’s app as soon as they purchase a ticket,” A4A states.

Pack Smart

Avoid a hassle at the TSA lines by leaving prohibited items in your bags. The TSA recommends that travelers start with an empty suitcase to avoid forgotten items that could prove troublesome. Follow the rules for liquids, gels and aerosols, limiting these to 3.4 ounces in carry-on bags. “If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, it is a liquid, aerosol or gel and must be packed in your checked bag if it exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit,” the TSA advises. However, for safety reasons, travelers should remember that flammable items, like paints and nail varnish, are also prohibited in checked luggage. It’s smart to review your airline’s website for its comprehensive list of prohibited items in checked luggage.

These rules also apply to treats for the Thanksgiving table, including gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves, all of which count as liquids or gels. They should be packed carefully in your checked luggage. To avoid unpleasant spills, use containers that seal tight and place these in a zipped plastic bag. While, technically, you may be able to bring some pies and cakes in containers as carry-on items, it all depends on the filling. For example, the traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie could be considered a gel. Packing these in tight containers, well protected between fabrics, in your checked luggage is probably best.

Traveling with any food onboard will likely mean you have to spend a little extra time having it checked by TSA, so you should pack it so that it’s easy for them to get to, review and clear. The TSA offers a comprehensive packing guide on their website: What Can I Bring?

Arrive At The Airport On Time

Given the number of people who will fly this Thanksgiving, airport crowds will likely be inevitable, and that is before taking any weather-related delays into account. It’s best to arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your flight so you are not rushed to your gate.

Many U.S. airports now offer various shops, restaurants, relaxation zones, kids zones, and art installations. Use the airport app to find entertaining ways to spend any extra time.

If you are an elite frequent flyer, you may want to take advantage of your status to visit the airport lounge and wait for your flight. However, you can enjoy the same privilege even if you fly less often. Your credit card may allow you access, and many lounges offer day passes for a fee. These passes are generally available when the lounge is not too crowded, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Use Mobile Check-In And Kiosks, But Don’t Try To Cut The Line At Boarding

There are many ways to avoid long lines at the airline check-in desk. Many airlines offer mobile check-in, an ideal way to skip the lines if you only travel with carry-on luggage. Self-check kiosks at the airport are another alternative to save time, and airlines also offer baggage drop facilities at certain airports. Some airlines still offer curb-side check-in, which is also convenient.

Airlines offer priority boarding to elite travelers, passengers who paid for the privilege, passengers with special needs, and passengers traveling with children. While each airline has its own particular rules for boarding aircraft quickly, they generally involve groups or zones. While waiting until your group or zone is called is essential, some people get anxious or are eager to sneak on board ahead of time. These passengers are known as “gate lice” in the airline industry.

American Airlines has been cracking down on line-cutting “gate lice” with a new boarding system. It issues an audible alert at the gate when someone tries to board out of order, which could prove embarrassing. After successful trials last month at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Tucson International Airport (TUS), American is introducing the new boarding technology at 100 airports across the U.S., including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airline will continue introducing this new system at airports in the weeks and months ahead.

“We’ve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it’s a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase,” said Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Reservations and Service Recovery. “The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.”

Fly With Gratitude As Your Attitude

The truth is that no matter how well you prepare, things can go wrong when flying during peak times and the holidays. Often, things that are out of everyone’s control, like a weather disruption, can lead to travel chaos and stressful delays. It’s important to remember that the people working to get you where you need to be are also under stress and working through a time when others get to be with their loved ones. Show airport and airline staff due respect and follow their instructions.

Aircraft operate in a hostile environment, and flight rules are designed to keep passengers safe. TSA and airline staff are tasked with ensuring compliance with these rules, and unruly behavior can get you in deep trouble, legally and financially. The Federal Aviation Administration has made it clear that passenger tantrums are not tolerated. While many things are out of your control, how you react to travel disruption is entirely up to you.

Thanksgiving is a time to remember what you are most grateful for, and that should include being thankful for flying virtually anywhere in the world you please conveniently and affordably.

Bonus Travel Tip

As an extra tip for the year ahead, consider joining the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program, which will reduce your time at security screening to 10 minutes or less. Also, remember you will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to travel by air starting May 7, 2025.