The day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday are traditionally the busiest travel days in the US. But this year, officials expect high passenger numbers a bit earlier as airports across the country advise travelers to pack extra time with them embarking on their journey to see loved ones this week.

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday, November 22nd, will be one of the busiest travel days before Thanksgiving. With over 48,000 flights scheduled last Friday, November 18th, the agency said those numbers indicate that airports will see crowds increase as the holiday gets closer.

Inside the numbers

According to the FAA's Thanksgiving 2022 Air Travel Forecast, 48,082 flights across the continental US are anticipated on Tuesday, November 22nd, which is at least 1,000 more flights than any other day this week. The agency said the busiest route on Tuesday is between Washington (DCA) and Boston (BOS), with 34 scheduled flights.

US Airports expect a busier than usual Thanksgiving
Photo: Getty Images

Sunday, November 27th, ranks second in terms of the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving. The FAA is anticipating 46,790 flights on Sunday, which is 1,292 flights less than the anticipated amount on Tuesday. Since it is the final day before the beginning of the work week, the Sunday following the holiday typically sees busy airport crowds every year.

From November 19th to November 27th, the FAA estimates nearly 400,000 flights to soar over the US, with 23,000 flights scheduled on Thanksgiving Day.

According to the Associated Press, for every 100 people who flew on Thanksgiving Day 2021, 177 were flying out the Sunday after. The trend was also apparent on the same day in 2019, making the Sunday after Thanksgiving the single busiest airport travel day in 2019 and 2021. Passenger numbers during the 2020 holiday season were significantly lower due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A bustling Chi-Town

The news comes as the city of Chicago prepares for a massive increase in passenger numbers this week. Over the next week, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) expects approximately 1.7 million travelers between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport based on projections from airline carriers. The estimate is a 6.6% increase over the same period last year.

CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee, on Monday, spoke about the anticipated high passenger numbers.

“The CDA appreciates the valuable role that O’Hare and Midway play in bringing friends and families together from across the nation and the world to gather at Thanksgiving dinner tables. We have no higher priority this holiday season than providing a safe and secure environment for all of our passengers, employees and the entire aviation community.”

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 on the airport apron
Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images

O'Hare Airport is expected to see a passenger increase of 2.7% compared to last year's travel period. Airlines project that Sunday, November 27th, will be the airport's busiest day. Midway Airport is projected to experience an increase in passengers of approximately 24.1% compared to last year, with the most active day expected to be Wednesday, November 23rd, according to the CDA.

The focus on customer service

In light of numerous flight cancellations and delays this year due to aircraft maintenance problems and pilot shortages, the FAA said on its website that passengers would have a resource if their flight gets interrupted this holiday season.

"The Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched an interactive Customer Service Dashboard to provide travelers with up-to-date airline customer service policies on controllable cancellations and delays to ensure customers have easy access to information when problems arise," the agency said.

The FAA also said that airlines must adhere to their promises in their customer service plan and that the DOT will hold airlines accountable if they fail to do so. Last month, several airlines opposed the DOT's plan to update its airline customer service dashboard.

Source: Associated Press

  • US-airlines-government-support
    Chicago O'Hare International Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    ORD/KORD
    CEO:
    Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie Rhee
    Runways :
    4L/22R - 2,286m (7500 ft) | 4R/22L - 2,461m (8075 ft) | 9L/27R - 2,286m (7500 ft) | 9C/27C - 3,428m (11,245 ft) | 9R/27L - 2,428m (7,967 ft) | 10L/28R - 3,962m (13,000 ft) | 10C/28C - 3,292m (10,801 ft) | 10R/28L - 2,286m (7500 ft)
    Airlines:
    American Airlines, United Airlines
    Country:
    United States
    Passenger Count :
    54,020,339 (2021)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 5