Thanksgiving Travel Expected To Hit Record Numbers This Year

What’s going on here?

This Thanksgiving, nearly 80 million Americans are set to travel, breaking previous records and putting airlines and transport networks to the ultimate test.

What does this mean?

As families eagerly plan their Thanksgiving reunions, American transportation systems are bracing for an unprecedented surge. American Airlines is preparing to accommodate 8.3 million travelers, an uptick of 500,000 compared to 2023. Delta Air Lines anticipates a 5% increase in passengers, translating to 6.5 million holiday flyers. Despite hitting capacity snags before, airlines are expanding services to meet the soaring demand: Southwest and American Airlines expect a peak on December 1. Meanwhile, United Airlines is gearing up for a 20% passenger surge over crucial post-Thanksgiving days with 6.2 million passengers expected within 13 days. On the ground, 71.7 million choose road trips, a trend fueled by lower gas prices. Interest in buses, trains, and cruises is climbing too, with Amtrak set to surpass last year’s figures, and cruises enjoying a 20% popularity boost.

Why should I care?

For markets: Travel demand fuels economic ripple.

The spike in holiday travel is energizing sectors beyond airlines, revving up the entire transportation industry. While road trips remain popular, the drop in gasoline prices has fueled this choice, benefiting retail and hospitality sectors as travelers make stops along the way. This uptick in movement offers a hopeful sign for economic activity, translating into prosperity for transportation stocks and tourism-related businesses in the short run.

The bigger picture: Travel trends point to post-pandemic normalcy.

This record-breaking holiday travel points to a significant return to pre-pandemic levels of mobility, showcasing a resilient recovery in travel and tourism industries. Airlines face a balancing act of managing higher passenger volumes while keeping prices competitive—domestic airfare averages $273, 9% more than last year. Meanwhile, international travel sees a 5% price drop amid a 23% booking increase, signifying a pent-up demand for global adventures. These evolving travel trends reflect the broader economic recovery and offer clues to future consumer behavior and spending patterns.