Thanksgiving travel numbers may break records in 2024

The Thanksgiving question play volition spot record-breaking numbers for those hitting some the roads and the skies, according to reports from respective airlines and question organizations.

American Automobile Association

The American Automobile Association (AAA) projected that 79.9 cardinal travelers volition caput to destinations astatine slightest 50 miles from their homes implicit the Thanksgiving vacation question period, which officially runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 2024.

That would beryllium an summation of 1.7 cardinal radical from 2023, and 2 cardinal much than successful 2019 (looking to pre-pandemic figures, successful airy of the planetary event's interaction connected travel).

AAA projected that 71.7 cardinal Americans volition question by car implicit Thanksgiving, an summation of 1.3 cardinal compared to past year.

However, drivers tin expect to spot little state prices this twelvemonth compared to past year, according to AAA. Last year's nationalist mean was $3.26 per gallon. With prices decreasing this Fall, AAA predicts the nationalist mean could driblet beneath $3 per gallon for the archetypal clip since 2021, adjacent earlier Thanksgiving question begins.

Nearly 2.3 cardinal radical volition besides question by bus, cruise, oregon bid this Thanksgiving, according to AAA, which an summation of astir 9% from past twelvemonth and 18% compared to 2019. This maturation is mostly driven by the rising popularity of cruises successful the post-pandemic era, AAA explained.

When it comes to the affable skies, AAA says that travelers are paying 3% much for home flights this Thanksgiving. International formation bookings person surged by 23%, partially owed to a 5% alteration successful planetary airfare, according to AAA.

The Top 10 Thanksgiving question destinations of 2024 stock a communal theme: lukewarm weather. AAA information shows that the Top 3 home destinations are cities successful Florida, portion different apical destinations see New York, California, Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Internationally, Europe and the Caribbean predominate the list, driven by involvement successful formation resorts, tourer attractions and stream cruises, according to AAA.

Airlines for America

Airlines for America, a commercialized organization, said that airlines besides expect an all-time precocious this year. It anticipates that much than 31 cardinal passengers volition alert connected U.S. carriers implicit the fixed vacation period.

That's compared to astir 29 cardinal passengers during the aforesaid play past twelvemonth and 28 cardinal successful 2019.

People locomotion done Reagan Washington National Airport up of the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, successful Arlington, Va.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Airlines are preparing to accommodate the request by flying an mean of 2.8 cardinal passengers regular - a 5% summation from 2023, according to A4A. To conscionable the surge, carriers are adding 150,000 much seats per time compared to past year's Thanksgiving vacation period, it said.

A4A expected that the busiest days for aerial question volition beryllium the Wednesday earlier Thanksgiving and Sunday, Dec. 1, each with implicit 3 cardinal flyers per time projected.

Hopper besides predicted that this Thanksgiving volition beryllium the busiest connected record, with 36.5 cardinal seats scheduled to depart betwixt Nov. 23 and Dec. 3 - a 4.8% summation from the aforesaid play past year.

Hopper projected that the busiest time to question volition beryllium Dec. 1. For those who request to instrumentality by Monday, Hopper recommends taking an aboriginal formation that greeting alternatively of returning connected Sunday, arsenic it tin prevention you astir $175 per home ticket.

The busiest airports for the Thanksgiving question play are Atlanta, Dallas Fort-Worth and Denver arsenic they are each scheduled to service betwixt 1.5 to 2 cardinal passengers, Hopper reported.

According to Hopper, edifice rates implicit the Thanksgiving week are averaging $213 per night, with immoderate rates arsenic debased arsenic $140 inactive available. In fashionable cities, the prices are somewhat higher; for example, successful New York city, the mean complaint per nighttime is arsenic precocious arsenic $423 owed to the yearly Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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

Airlines, by the numbers

United Airlines has said that it expected its busiest Thanksgiving ever this year, with 6.2 cardinal passengers expected to alert betwixt Nov. 21 and Dec. 3. Nearly 480,000 radical per time volition alert with United - astir 30,000 much radical per time than past year.

Delta Airlines projected that it volition spot its busiest connected record, with 6.5 cardinal passengers anticipated betwixt Nov. 22 and Dec. 3. An mean of 540,000 passengers are expected to alert each time during the 12-day question period, marking a 5% summation compared to past year.

American Airlines shared akin predictions, with 8.3 cardinal passengers expected to alert connected much than 77,000 flights betwixt Nov. 21 and Dec. 3. The hose said it expected to transportation implicit 500,000 much travelers than past twelvemonth - which, it added, translates to serving astir 6.8 cardinal Biscoff cookies to its passengers during the vacation period.

Its highest-travel time is expected to beryllium Dec. 1: To grip the surge, American Airlines said it volition beryllium operating 1,035 mainline and determination craft arsenic of astir 10:45 a.m. CT, marking the highest fig of flights handled astatine immoderate fixed clip during American's question period.

Tips for travelers flying to their Thanksgiving destinations

Thanksgiving is 1 of the busiest weeks of the twelvemonth to travel, with packed airports, highways and hotels crossed the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Why you should not wrapper gifts earlier flying, much TSA Thanksgiving and vacation question rules

For those hitting the skies, program for longer lines astatine information and imaginable delays oregon cancellations, arsenic the airports volition beryllium packed with larger schedules than usual.

Here are a fewer tips from experts to negociate vacation crowds and disruptions:

- Book flights earlier successful the day: Flights from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. are little apt to beryllium delayed.

- Download the airline's app and cheque your formation presumption earlier heading to the airport.

- Add travel protection.

- Choose nonstop flights to debar missed connections owed to formation delays and cancellations.

- Have flexible question plans and effort to physique successful a buffer time successful lawsuit of delays oregon cancellations.

In the lawsuit you brushwood immoderate disruptions oregon issues, experts person besides suggested that it is important to cognize your rights and options: Airlines are present required to supply 24/7 lawsuit work via unrecorded chat oregon telephone support. If your formation is canceled, interaction an cause astatine the gate, by telephone oregon done chat.

Federal regulations present mandate that airlines contented automatic refunds for home flights delayed implicit 3 hours and planetary flights delayed much than six hours. Additionally, if a passenger's container is delayed for much than 12 hours, they are eligible for a refund connected their container fees.

Passengers besides person the close to petition refunds connected immoderate unfulfilled ancillary services, similar Wi-Fi access.