Thanksgiving: America's Busiest Travel Holiday

is thanksgiving the biggest travel day

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days in the US, with millions of people travelling to be with their families for the holiday. The day before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year, with the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 2020 being the busiest air travel day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is a myth that the day before Thanksgiving is the single busiest travel day of the year; summer weekends, particularly Fridays in June, July and August, are busier.

Characteristics Values
Is Thanksgiving the busiest travel day? It is a myth that the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year. Summer weekends win that distinction. However, Thanksgiving travel earns a spot in the top ten.
The busiest travel days of the year Fridays, June, July, and August.
The busiest travel day in 2020 Sunday, November 22, 2020, was the busiest air travel day since March.
The busiest travel day in 2019 Wednesday, November 27.

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Thanksgiving 2020: Pandemic hangs over travel plans

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year in the US. However, Thanksgiving travel in 2020 looked a little different. The COVID-19 pandemic loomed over the holiday, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving. Despite this, millions of people still planned to travel over the holiday week.

On Friday, the number of travellers screened at US airport security checkpoints exceeded 1 million for only the second time since March, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) figures. This was still just 40% of the volume screened on the Friday before Thanksgiving in 2019.

The CDC's guidance came as coronavirus cases surged in the US, with daily new cases surging by 14% in the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Many states implemented stay-at-home orders or tightened travel restrictions ahead of the holiday.

The CDC's recommendation posed a dilemma for many Americans, who had to weigh the desire to join family and friends for Thanksgiving against the risks of travelling during the pandemic. Some people, like retired public health nurse Gail Duilio, cancelled their travel plans due to the risks. However, others, like mechanical engineer Julio Perez, decided to go ahead with their travel plans, taking precautions such as wearing masks and using sanitary wipes to clean surfaces.

Travel organisation AAA expected at least a 10% drop in travel for Thanksgiving due to the pandemic, with a nearly 48% decrease in air travel and a 4.3% drop in car travel. Overall, they forecasted that 48 million people would still travel by car and 2.4 million would fly.

While air travel was significantly reduced due to the pandemic, aviation officials anticipated that Thanksgiving could set a pandemic-era passenger record. The TSA expected the busiest travel days to be the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

With Christmas approaching, many Americans were faced with another difficult travel decision. Mary Church, a retiree from Seattle, planned to fly to Arizona to visit family for the holidays, stating: "Right or wrong, people are just fed up. We need something to look forward to."

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The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day

Thanksgiving is a time when many people in the US travel to be with their families. However, the idea that the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year is a myth. In reality, summer weekends typically see more travel, with five to ten days during the summer busier than Thanksgiving, according to AAA's Troy Green. That being said, Thanksgiving travel is still high-traffic enough to be considered one of the busiest times of the year, and it does include the busiest travel day of the year on Wednesday.

Historical data from Skyscanner confirms that the day before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year. This is due to the fact that Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, and most non-retail and non-food service businesses close on the Friday after, as do schools. This means that most people are locked into travelling on Wednesday afternoon, as many schools are still in session on the Tuesday before.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded its highest number of weekend passengers since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, with over 3 million people travelling over a three-day period that year. The Sunday before Thanksgiving was the busiest individual day, with 1,047,934 passengers.

In 2019, a record 31.6 million passengers travelled on US airlines during the Thanksgiving holiday period, according to a forecast by Airlines for America. The second-busiest day of the holiday period was Wednesday, November 27, with 2.98 million people flying the day before Thanksgiving.

While air travel certainly spikes during the Thanksgiving period, most American travellers will be using the nation's roadways to get to their destinations, according to predictions from motor and leisure travel company AAA. In 2019, some 49.3 million travellers journeyed by car—the most since 2005. Global transportation analytics company INRIX expects trips to take up to four times longer than normal in major metropolitan areas on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, and for travellers to experience heavier-than-normal congestion throughout the week.

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TSA records busiest weekend since March

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days in the US, with the day before Thanksgiving typically being the busiest travel day of the year. However, in 2020, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded its busiest travel weekend since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, with over 3 million people travelling between Friday and Sunday. This surge came despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advising against Thanksgiving travel due to rising Covid-19 cases across the nation.

Sunday was the busiest travel day since the pandemic began in March, with 1,047,934 passengers. TSA screenings surpassed 1 million on both Friday and Sunday, with Friday seeing 1,019,836 travellers and Saturday seeing 984,369.

The new peak in travel came as US coronavirus cases also hit a new high, just in time for Thanksgiving week, which is usually the busiest travel period of the year. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving in 2020, daily new coronavirus cases in the US surged by nearly 14%. The CDC recommended:

> "Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year."

Despite the CDC's warnings, many people chose to travel for Thanksgiving, leading to crowded airports and potentially contributing to the spread of Covid-19. This highlights the challenges of balancing personal travel plans with public health considerations during a pandemic.

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Thanksgiving air travel expected to break records

Airports across the US are bracing for a busy Thanksgiving, with some predicting that travel numbers will break records. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel in the US, with people across the country travelling to be with their families for the holiday.

Record numbers

Airlines For America, a US airline trade organisation, predicts that a record 31.6 million passengers will travel on US airlines during the Thanksgiving period. This would be an increase of 3.7% from 2018. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, December 1, is expected to be the busiest travel day ever for the US airline industry, with 3.1 million passengers. The second busiest day is expected to be the day before Thanksgiving, with 2.98 million people flying.

Travelling by road

While airports will be busy, most Americans will be travelling by road to reach their Thanksgiving destinations. Motor and leisure travel company AAA predicts that 49.3 million people will be travelling by car—the most since 2005. Global transportation analytics company INRIX expects travel on Wednesday afternoon to be the worst, with journeys taking up to four times longer than usual in major cities.

Travelling by air

For those travelling by air, patience and preparation are key. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends that travellers check their flight status and get their boarding passes ready before leaving for the airport. It's also important to arrive at the airport early and to check the TSA website to find out what can be brought on board and what needs to be checked in.

Travelling during the pandemic

In 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against travelling for Thanksgiving due to the pandemic. Despite this, millions of people still travelled over the holiday period. The number of travellers passing through US airport security checkpoints topped 1 million for only the second time since March.

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Thanksgiving travel tips

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with millions of people travelling to spend the holiday with family and friends. If you're planning to join them, here are some tips to help you travel with ease and avoid stress.

Planning

  • It's never too early to start planning your Thanksgiving travel. Take advantage of lower rates and more availability by booking early. Sign up for sale notifications from your chosen airline or travel company, and follow them on social media for exclusive deals.
  • If you're flying, consider travelling on Thanksgiving Day or the Friday after. These are usually the slowest and cheapest days to fly.
  • If you can't travel on those days, try to avoid the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, as these are the busiest travel days of the year. Instead, fly on the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
  • If you're driving, try to avoid peak travel times, such as the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Plan your route in advance and consider bringing a GPS or using a smartphone app to help you navigate.
  • If you're travelling by plane, ship any non-essential items to your destination ahead of time to lighten your load and avoid baggage fees.
  • Pack snacks and drinks for the journey, especially if you're travelling with children.
  • Bring an empty water bottle with you, which you can fill up after passing through security.
  • If you're driving, make sure your car is in good condition and pack an emergency kit, a first aid kit, and any other supplies you may need.

At the Airport/On the Road

  • Arrive at the airport early to give yourself plenty of time for parking, security, and any other potential delays.
  • Take advantage of useful smartphone applications that can help you navigate the airport and provide information on gates and restaurants.
  • If you're driving, bring change for tolls and plenty of snacks. Fill up your gas tank before you hit the road and keep it full for emergency use and to prevent the fuel line from freezing.
  • Be sure to follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones.
  • Avoid distractions such as cell phones, and make frequent stops to stay alert. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

Health and Safety

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially when travelling through airports or train stations.
  • Carry hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes to use before eating and to wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
  • If you've been sick or in contact with someone who is sick, consider postponing your trip, as you may still be contagious.
  • Bring your own pillows and blankets to act as a shield against the seat on planes and trains.
  • Avoid touching your face or eyes, and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Happy travels and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Frequently asked questions

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel days in the US, with millions of people travelling to be with their families. However, summer weekends are busier, with five to ten days during the summer busier than Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day has the fewest people flying and is therefore the best day to fly.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year. The Sunday after Thanksgiving also tends to be a busy travel day.

Most American travellers will be driving to their destinations, so flying may be a better option to avoid traffic congestion.

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