Thanksgiving travel numbers could break records in 2024

The Thanksgiving travel period will see record numbers for those hitting both the roads and the skies, according to reports from several airlines and travel organizations.

American Automobile Association

The American Automobile Association predicted that 79.9 million travelers will head to destinations at least 50 miles from their homes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which officially runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 2024.

That would be an increase of 1.7 million people from 2023 and 2 million more than in 2019 (in light of the global event’s impact on travel).

AAA expected 71.7 million Americans will travel by car over Thanksgiving, an increase of 1.3 million over last year.

However, motorists can expect to see lower gas prices this year compared to last year, according to AAA. Last year’s national average was $3.26 per gallon. With prices falling this fall, AAA predicts the national average could fall below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021, even before the Thanksgiving drive begins.

Nearly 2.3 million people will also travel by bus, cruise or train this Thanksgiving, according to AAA, up nearly 9% from last year and 18% from 2019. This growth is largely driven by cruises’ increasing popularity in the post-pandemic era, AAA explained.

When it comes to the friendly skies, AAA says travelers will pay 3% more for domestic flights this Thanksgiving. International flight bookings are up 23%, in part due to a 5% drop in international airfares, according to AAA.

The 10 best Thanksgiving travel destinations in 2024 share a common theme: warm weather. AAA data shows that the top 3 domestic destinations are cities in Florida, while other top destinations include New York, California, Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Internationally, Europe and the Caribbean dominate the list, driven by interest in seaside resorts, tourist attractions and river cruises, according to AAA.

Airlines to America

Airlines for America, an industry association, said airlines also expect record highs this year. It predicts that more than 31 million passengers will fly on US carriers during the given holiday period.

This is compared to almost 29 million passengers in the same period last year and 28 million in 2019.

Airlines are preparing to meet demand by flying an average of 2.8 million passengers daily – a 5% increase from 2023, according to A4A. To accommodate the increase, airlines are adding 150,000 more seats per day compared to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday period, it said.

A4A expected the busiest days for air travel to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday, Dec. 1, each with over 3 million flyers per day. day.

Hops

Hopper also predicted that this Thanksgiving will be the busiest ever, with 36.5 million seats scheduled to depart between Nov. 23 and Dec. 3 — up 4.8% from the same period last year.

Hopper expected the busiest day to travel will be December 1st. For those returning no later than Monday, Hopper recommends taking an early flight that morning instead of returning on Sunday, as this can save you about $175 per flight. domestic ticket.

The busiest airports during the Thanksgiving travel period are Atlanta, Dallas Fort-Worth and Denver, as they are each scheduled to serve between 1.5 and 2 million passengers, Hopper reported.

According to Hopper, hotel rates during Thanksgiving week average $213 per night, with some rates as low as $140 still available. In popular cities, prices are slightly higher; for example in New York the average price per night as high as $423 due to the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year’s popular Thanksgiving destinations are Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas and Chicago, according to Hopper. Internationally, the most popular destinations are Puerto Rico, Mexico City, Madrid, Bogota and Cancun.

Airlines, by the numbers

United Airlines has said it expected its busiest Thanksgiving ever this year, with 6.2 million passengers expected to fly between Nov. 21 and Dec. 3. Nearly 480,000 people a day will fly with United — about 30,000 more people a day than last year.

Delta Airlines expected it will see its busiest ever with 6.5 million passengers expected between November 22nd and December 3rd. An average of 540,000 passengers are expected to fly each day over the 12-day travel period, marking an increase of 5%. compared to last year.

American Airlines shared similar predictions with 8.3 million passengers expected to fly on more than 77,000 flights between Nov. 21 and Dec. 3. The airline said it expected to carry over 500,000 more travelers than last year — which, it added, translates into serving about 6.8 million Biscoff cookies to its passengers over the holiday period.

Its peak travel day is expected to be Dec. 1: To handle the surge, American Airlines said it will operate 1,035 mainline and regional flights from about at during the American’s travel period.

Tips for travelers flying to their Thanksgiving destinations

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weeks of the year to travel, with packed airports, highways and hotels across the United States

For those hitting the skies, plan for longer lines at security and potential delays or cancellations, as airports will be packed with larger schedules than usual.

Here are a few tips from experts to manage holiday crowds and disruptions:

Book flights earlier in the day: There is less probability that flights from 05.00 to 8.00 will be delayed.

Download the airline’s app and check your flight status before you go to the airport.

Add travel protection.

Choose direct flights to avoid missed connections due to flight delays and cancellations.

Have flexible travel plans and try to build in a buffer day in case of delays or cancellations.

In the event that you encounter disruptions or problems, experts have also suggested that it is important to know your rights and options: Airlines are now required to provide 24/7 customer service via live chat or telephone support. If your flight is cancelled, contact an agent at the gate, by phone or via chat.

Federal regulations now mandate that airlines issue automatic refunds for domestic flights delayed more than three hours and international flights delayed more than six hours. Additionally, if a passenger’s baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, they are entitled to a refund of their baggage fees.

Passengers also have the right to request a refund for any unfulfilled ancillary services, such as Wi-Fi access.