airline travel on thanksgiving day

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The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving week tends to draw major airport crowds, and coupled with inevitable weather delays, it can be a brutal time to travel. Not to mention, the conventional wisdom to fly on Tuesdays won't necessarily save you much money.

But some days within Thanksgiving week are significantly busier than others. If you can afford to be flexible with scheduling, you’ll not only save money, but you might also avoid chaos.

The best and worst days to fly around Thanksgiving

NerdWallet analyzed checkpoint travel numbers provided by the Transportation Security Administration from 2019-2022, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily in the U.S. at its checkpoints.

The data shows that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day to travel from the seven days before and after Thanksgiving.

Are airports busy on Thanksgiving Day? Our analysis shows that the actual holiday is the least crowded travel day at airports.

From 2019-2022, here were the most to least crowded days for Thanksgiving flying:

Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).

Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Friday before.

Monday after (Cyber Monday).

Saturday after.

Sunday before.

Tuesday before.

Thursday before.

Monday before.

Saturday before.

Thursday after.

Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).

Friday after (Black Friday).

Wednesday after.

Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

When broken out by pre- and post-holiday travel, here are the three least-crowded days to travel ranked from least to most crowded. Because they're less crowded and likely less expensive, it makes them some of the best days to fly around Thanksgiving.

Pre-holiday:

Saturday before (least crowded).

Post-holiday:

Wednesday after (least crowded).

Black Friday.

Tuesday after.

Why flying the Sunday after Thanksgiving is so terrible

By almost all metrics, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is pretty much the worst day of the year to fly. In 2019, 2021 and 2022, it was the busiest single day of the entire year in terms of U.S. passengers, based on TSA passenger data.

(The post-Thanksgiving Sunday wasn't the busiest day of the year in 2020 because, well, you know why. The most-crowded-day award in 2020 went to Friday, Feb. 14, which preceded the Presidents Day weekend and pandemic-related travel restrictions.)

Here’s a breakdown of the number of people flying on Thanksgiving Day versus the Sunday after Thanksgiving in three recent years:

For every 100 people who were flying on Thanksgiving Day 2022, there were 183 people flying on the Sunday after.

The smarter, cheaper Thanksgiving weekend itinerary

If you work a standard Monday-Friday workweek, with two days off for the holiday, then leaving Wednesday after work and flying home Sunday night might make sense. That’s the schedule most people follow to avoid taking extra time off, and if you join in, then you’ll pay — both in terms of cost and crowds.

Beyond crowds, expect to pay big this year. Sure, average airfares are actually cheaper this year versus last (and are even cheaper this year versus pre-pandemic), with average airfares for the first six months of 2023 down 7.2% versus the same period in 2022, according to a NerdWallet analysis of consumer price index data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

But airfares can still feel incredibly high. That’s for a few reasons, including that basic economy seats have lowered overall prices. But for folks who end up paying a la carte for benefits that were typically included in the past (e.g., checked bags or the ability to select your seat), the total cost can end up sometimes more expensive given all those ancillary fees .

So how can you choose a better Thanksgiving travel itinerary to save money? Avoid the Wednesday-Sunday itinerary and try these travel days instead.

Travel on Thanksgiving Day

Is flying on Thanksgiving Day busy? Across travel days for the week before and after Thanksgiving, the holiday was the lowest-traffic day every year in our analysis. Book the first flight out for the day — a practice NerdWallet recommends anyway to reduce your odds of a flight delay — and you might even land in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Stay longer

If you can extend your trip, the Wednesday after Thanksgiving is, on average, the second-emptiest day to travel. Especially if you have the option of remote work , you might be able to avoid taking vacation days, despite the longer trip.

Fly on Black Friday

If you must travel during the weekend, consider having Thanksgiving dinner at your own home, then flying somewhere on Black Friday, which is the third-least crowded day to fly on average.

Look at it as a great way to not only avoid airport crowds but also retail crowds since you won’t be out shopping.

The standard rules around the best (and worst) days to fly don’t necessarily apply. Coupling that with conventional wisdom around saving money on flights , flying for Thanksgiving might not be as painful a proposition as you once thought.

How to maximize your rewards

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Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

8 tips for Thanksgiving travel: Airports will be packed; Masks aren't optional

A week before Thanksgiving last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Americans not to travel over the holiday as COVID-19 cases were ticking up.

Millions of travelers ignored the advice, swarming airports across the country and setting what was then a pandemic record for air travel .

A year later, there is no broad CDC Thanksgiving travel warning, 80% of Americans age 12 and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and school-age children are now eligible for a jab.

►Airline cancel or delay your flight?: Here's what airlines owe you (and how to get it)

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Add in relaxed travel restrictions to and from many destinations , especially for vaccinated visitors, and you have the recipe for a Thanksgiving travel surge that is likely to set pandemic passenger records.

The Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday said it expects to screen an estimated 20 million people, or 2 million per day, at U.S. airports over the 10-day Thanksgiving travel period that began Friday and ends the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That is down from a record 23 million in 2019, but double 2020 levels.

Early TSA numbers bear that out: Nearly 6.5 million people were screened over the weekend, with Friday travel setting a pandemic record of 2,242,956. That beat the previous record of 2,238,462 set on Aug. 1.

Delta Air Lines said it expects to carry nearly triple the number of Thanksgiving passengers as it did in 2020, with passenger traffic the Sunday after Thanksgiving likely to top a pandemic record set in July.

Travelers who haven't been on a plane during the pandemic will be rusty. Here's what travelers need to know:

1. Do get COVID-19 travel documents in order before you get to the airport

Travelers don't need to show vaccine proof or a negative coronavirus test to board a flight within the United States, though Hawaii requires one of the two to bypass a mandatory quarantine upon arrival. Several international destinations have entry requirements, and all travelers flying into the U.S. from another country, including returning U.S. citizens, must show a negative coronavirus test to board the flight. Foreign nationals must test  and show proof of vaccination under new rules that took effect Nov. 8.

Need to show vaccination proof?   How to safely store it on your phone

2. Don't cut it close getting to the airport

This isn't the year to show up an hour before your flight, even if you have a fast pass through security like TSA PreCheck. Airlines, the TSA, wheelchair providers and airport shops and restaurants have struggled to add staff to match the rapid return in travel this year, so waits are generally longer and bigger crowds mean even longer lines. Airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Add in more time if you are traveling at peak times or plan to grab coffee or food for your flight.

3. Do reserve a ride to the airport or airport parking in advance so you're not scrambling the day of the flight

Travelers have struggled to get timely, affordable Uber and Lyft rides this year due to a shortage of drivers, and a spike in holiday travelers won't help the situation. Schedule a ride or shuttle where available, take public transportation, or enlist someone to drop you off.

If you opt for ride-hailing service s :   Uber can have your airport ride ready once you land. Here's how it'll work.

4. Don't forget face masks

Masks are still required from the second you step into an airport until you land and claim your bags, and flight attendants regularly remind travelers to only remove them briefly while eating or drinking. The federal face mask mandate covers airport facilities like shuttles and rental car centers too. Bring extras, especially for longer flights, and hand sanitizer too. Some airlines still hand out wipes, but on most carriers, you have to bring your own.

5. Do brush up on TSA rules

Cranberry sauce, gravy and wine are considered liquids and thus prohibited in carry-on bags; pies and other baked goods are solids and OK to bring on the plane. Have questions about specific items? Reach out to TSA on Twitter or Facebook messenger or call the agency's contact center at 866-289-9673.

Need extra assistance at the airport?   How TSA Cares helps people who need extra support at security.

6. Don't count on the usual food and drinks on the plane

Airlines cut back on complimentary snacks and drinks and items for sale early in the pandemic to reduce interactions between flight attendants and passengers, and many have been slow to resume service. 

Southwest Airlines used to offer a variety of free snacks on longer flights, but today only hands out a small bag of snack mix on most flights. The airline recently expanded its drink menu beyond three soft drinks and water; it still doesn't serve alcohol. American Airlines has also not resumed alcohol sales in economy. United resumed sales of hard liquor this week .

7. Do bring your own food but forget about BYOB

With in-flight food limited and airport lines long and some concessions still closed, the best option for hungry travelers is to bring food from home. Sneaking those miniature bottles of booze or an alcoholic beverage from the airport onto the plane is not allowed, however. FAA regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on board the aircraft unless it is served by the airline.

Airlines plea to pandemic passenger s: No BYOB

8. Don't forget to draft a plan B in case of flight cancellations and delays

Southwest , Spirit and American airlines have stranded passengers this year during major meltdowns tied to staffing shortages, and wintry weather is always a wildcard during the holiday travel rush. Get to know your airline's Twitter handle for quick rebooking help in case of cancellations and delays, and know your rights – airlines are required to refund your money not just issue travel credit when they cancel the flight. Jot down alternative flights to or near your destination and even airport hotels, so you're not researching on the fly.

Airline cancel or delay your flight? Here's what airlines owe you (and how to get it)

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The Vacationer • Air Travel • Air Travel Guides

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

Traveling on Thanksgiving does not have to be a stressful experience. While it is one of the busiest times of the year to fly, you can book an affordable flight at a desirable time. Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows 45.21%, or 117 million American adults, plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year.

In addition to air travel tips, this guide will provide advice on booking accommodations and rental cars.

Table of Contents

When is Thanksgiving 2023?

Thanksgiving takes place this year on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Since Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, its best and worst travel dates are easier to predict than other major holidays.

What Are the Best and Worst Times to Book Thanksgiving Flights?

Summer is the best time of the year to book Thanksgiving flights. Most people are not thinking about holiday flights yet, which is why June, July, and August are the months to book . You’ll generally see the cheapest prices during the summer as well as the ability to select a more desirable flight. Here are a few of those options.

• More Direct Routes
• More Desirable Seats
• Better Times

There are only a limited number of flights available during the Thanksgiving travel period. As more people book, prices increase and only poor routes with less-than-desirable seats remain.

At the very latest, book your Thanksgiving flight by Halloween. But remember, earlier is better. If you fail to book in the summer months, aim to book by the middle of September.

Those booking in November are usually subject to high prices for a limited number of routes and seats.

Here is how I rank the different periods to purchase Thanksgiving airfare.

• June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
• Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
• Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
• Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
• November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

See Also:   When to Book Christmas Flights  and  Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

What Are the Best Days to Fly Around Thanksgiving 2023?

Here are our predictions for the best days to fly for Thanksgiving this year. To get these days, we analyzed Thanksgiving flight data from previous years. We also sampled prices from hundreds of routes around the end of November.

Best Departure Dates

• Sunday, November 19
• Monday, November 20
• Tuesday, November 21
• Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving Day)

Fly as early as possible during Thanksgiving week. Most people work the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving before flying out on Wednesday. Thanksgiving Day is also a great day to fly, but most people do not do it for obvious reasons.

Best Return Dates

• Friday, November 24 (Black Friday)
• Monday, November 27
• Tuesday, November 28
• Wednesday, November 29

The Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is historically a great day to fly home. Alternatives include the Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving, with prices even lower on Wednesday.

What Are the Worst Days to Fly Around Thanksgiving 2023?

Here are the worst days to fly around Thanksgiving. As with our best days, we reviewed data from previous years as well as sampled hundreds of routes around Turkey Day.

Worst Departure Dates

• Wednesday, November 22 (the day before Thanksgiving)

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is always an expensive day to fly. Additionally, it is busy and often stressful, which is why we recommend avoiding it.

Worst Return Dates

• Sunday, November 26 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving)

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the day most people fly home. It makes sense because it lets you enjoy the weekend and return to work on Monday. For that reason, it is often very expensive to fly this day. Avoid it.

The Vacationer Tip

Book your Thanksgiving flight with a travel-focused credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , and The Platinum Card® from American Express . These cards earn bonus points or miles on flight bookings as well offer important benefits like travel insurance.

Thanksgiving Flight Booking Tips

The tips from our How to Find Cheap Flights guide work for Thanksgiving, with a few caveats.

Book in the Summer: As previously detailed, you need to book your Thanksgiving flight during the summer months. That gives you the best chance of getting a great deal on a desirable flight with a seat you want. Book before Halloween at the absolute latest.

Follow Our Date Guidelines: We always say flexibility is the key to getting a great deal on a flight. Unfortunately, your flexibility is somewhat limited when flying during a holiday like Thanksgiving. Regardless, use our dates as a starting point. Depart on the earlier end such as Sunday, November 19, and return on the later end such as Wednesday, November 29.

Book a Nonstop Flight: Booking early gives you access to the largest number of nonstop flights. Besides the obvious reasons, nonstop flights also have lower odds of experiencing a delay or cancellation, which is often an issue around Thanksgiving.

Fly Early in the Morning: Flights taking off very early in the morning are less likely to experience an interruption than those taking off later in the day. This is especially important during Thanksgiving when airports are full and flights are packed.

Avoid Booking With an Online Travel Agency: There are rarely any advantages to booking flights with an online travel agency as opposed to booking directly with the airline. Prices are often similar, and the online travel agency is nothing but a middleman. This is usually not a big issue, but it may be if you need to change your flight during the busy Thanksgiving travel period; It is always quicker to make a change by talking directly to the airline.

Consider Flying International: Thanksgiving is a great time to fly to an international destination because the majority of people fly domestically to visit friends and family. Additionally, most international spots do not celebrate Thanksgiving. That provides the perfect opportunity to visit popular destinations like France, Italy, and the rest of Europe. As always, book international Thanksgiving flights even earlier than domestic flights.

Further Reading: Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year’s

Best Destinations to Fly to Over Thanksgiving This Year for Cheap

Here are some of the best places to fly to over Thanksgiving this year. This is only a small sample of the many great deals available. To find more, use the Google Flights Explore feature. Simply enter your departure airport and dates, and Google will show you the cheapest places to fly to around Thanksgiving!

Here are a few of the best domestic routes we found for Thanksgiving this year. Please note, these prices are subject to change . All routes are nonstop. It is more than possible to book a domestic roundtrip flight for $200 or less. Many routes are available for under $300

When considering domestic routes, look at your airline’s hub cities for cheaper prices. For example, my home airport is Philadelphia (PHL), which is an American Airlines hub. Other American Airlines hubs include Miami and Phoenix. Oftentimes, I’ll find cheaper prices flying hub to hub with a particular airline around the holidays.

• Miami to Charleston for $98 roundtrip via JetBlue from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• Los Angeles to Seattle for $173 roundtrip via Alaska Airlines from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• Minneapolis to Orlando for $228 roundtrip via Delta Air Lines from Monday, November 20 through Tuesday, November 28
• New York to Los Angeles for $257 roundtrip via United Airlines from Monday, November 20 through Friday, November 24.
• Chicago to Miami for $290 roundtrip via American Airlines from Monday, November 20 through Tuesday, November 28
• Philadelphia to Denver for $324 roundtrip via American Airlines from Monday, November 20 through Friday, November 24.

International

Here are a few of the best international routes we found for Thanksgiving this year. Please note, these prices are subject to change . All routes are nonstop. It is more than possible to book an international roundtrip flight for $375 or less. Many routes are available for under $550.

• New York (JFK) to London for $353 roundtrip via Norse Atlantic UK from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• Boston to Dublin for $438 roundtrip via Aer Lingus from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• Los Angeles to London for $453 roundtrip via Norse Atlantic UK from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• Chicago to Paris for $547 roundtrip via Air France from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• New York to Rome for $552 roundtrip via Air Canada from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28.
• New Jersey (EWR) to Lisbon for $564 roundtrip via Tap Air Portugal from Monday, November 20 through Tuesday, November 28.

Avoiding Thanksgiving Flight Cancellations & Delays

Busy travel times like Thanksgiving often see increase flight delays and cancellations. While you can’t fully prevent a significant interruption, there are things you can do to minimize your chances.

• Book a Very Early Morning Flight – These flights are less likely to be canceled or delayed.
• Book a Nonstop Itinerary – Fewer legs means lower odds of experiencing an interruption.
• Book Directly with the Airline – Lets you cut out the middleman if you need to quickly rebook your flight at the airport or before arriving.
• Know Your Rights – By law, you are entitled to a cash refund if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed. See What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight .
• Book With a Credit Card Offering Travel Insurance – Many credit cards provide travel insurance benefits if your flight is delayed or canceled. This includes meals and potentially overnight lodging.

Further Reading: How to Avoid Flight Delays and Cancellations

Accommodations/Car Rentals

The same rules apply to accommodations and car rentals. Here are a few important guidelines.

Book Well in Advance of Thanksgiving: As with flights, there are only a limited number of desirable accommodations and car rentals available during Thanksgiving. After hopefully booking your flight during the summer, immediately start searching for accommodations and cars.

Book Refundable Hotels and Car Rentals: Focus on refundable accommodations and car rentals. After booking, monitor prices to see if they go down. If they drop, rebook at the lower price, and pocket the difference.

Further Reading: How to Find Cheap Hotels and How to Find Cheap Car Rentals

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

The key to getting a good deal on your Thanksgiving flight is to book it when no one is thinking about it yet. That means during the summer months. Focus on our predicted best and worst days to fly, but stay flexible. Consider taking an international vacation if you do not have a set destination as there are often great flight deals around Thanksgiving. Finally, book your flight with a credit card offering travel insurance for interruptions, delays, and cancellations.

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

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The Best (and Worst) Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

Peter Thornton

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The leisure travel industry has rebounded from the pandemic more than expected in 2021 and with more Americans comfortable traveling this year, it should be expected that the typical busy travel days around the Thanksgiving holiday will, once again, indeed be busy.

In 2020, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than one million passengers in a day only one time between mid-March and the week leading up to Thanksgiving. In contrast, more than one million passengers have passed through TSA screening every single day since mid-March 2021.

While the numbers are still lower than 2019 levels, airports around the country will be more crowded than we’ve become accustomed to since the start of the pandemic. Hopper is forecasting a daily throughput of about 1.9 million travelers for Thanksgiving, which is about 75% of 2019 levels and nearly double 2020 levels.

The 7 Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving

When to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021

Having flexible travel dates is the key to finding cheap flights any time of the year but this is even more apparent when traveling around a fixed holiday such as Thanksgiving. Historically, the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are two of the busiest (and most expensive) travel days of the year for U.S. domestic travel.

With many kids back in school, it’s looking like this will be the case again in 2021, though if you’re able to flex your travel dates by just a few days or extend your trip to fly a week early or return a week later, you can save some money and avoid the largest crowds at the airport.

What Are the Worst Days to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021?

Of course, the best and worst days to fly for a holiday are subjective. Some might prefer to pay whatever it costs to maximize time with family while others will prioritize cost in order to make the trip a reality. From an airfare perspective, it’s best to avoid the busiest travel days.

• Wednesday, November 24 th
• Sunday, November 28 th

Data from both Hopper and CheapAir indicate that domestic airfare is averaging around $300 roundtrip for Thanksgiving travel, with flights returning on Sunday, November 28 th about $90/ticket more expensive than returning on Monday and $180/ticket more expensive than returning on Tuesday. This average is rising as we get closer to the date of travel and the actual price depends heavily on the route and which dates you choose to travel.

For instance, take these examples of roundtrip flights from New York-JFK to Los Angeles searched on October 14, 2021. Note: Prices will likely change before publication.

• Wed, Nov. 24 – Sun, Nov. 28: $712 nonstop on Delta
• Mon, Nov. 22 – Sun, Nov. 28: $632 nonstop on Delta
• Wed, Nov. 24 – Tue, Nov. 30: $418 nonstop on United
• Mon, Nov. 22 – Tue, Nov. 30: $325 nonstop on United

As you can see, adjusting your return travel date will likely have a bigger impact on price than adjusting your departure travel date. If you’re only flexible on one end, choose to return later after the holiday rather than depart earlier.

Other travel dates that are trending on the expensive side for Thanksgiving travel include:

• Saturday, November 27 th
• Monday, November 29 th

The Best and Worst Days to Travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas

What Are the Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021?

Flying on the holiday itself will be one of the cheapest days to fly. Although this may not be ideal for many, if you’re just looking for an affordable way to see the family for Thanksgiving dinner, this may be an option to consider. Otherwise, extending your trip to leave and/or return on off-peak travel days can help reduce the cost of your flight. The cheapest days to fly for Thanksgiving 2021 include:

• Sunday, November 21 st
• Monday, November 22 nd
• Thursday, November 25 th (Thanksgiving Day)
• Friday, November 26 th
• Tuesday, November 30 th

Thanksgiving Travel Deals for International Travel

Since most Americans are focused on domestic travel around the Thanksgiving holiday, it is actually a great time to score a deal on international travel. Options are still limited due to travel restrictions, but it’s now possible for vaccinated travelers to fly to several destinations in Europe and a few more South American countries are opening their borders this fall.

You may be surprised to find that it’s cheaper (or only slightly more expensive) to fly your family across the pond than it is to fly across the country during Thanksgiving weekend. And you can usually find the cheapest international fares departing on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which are typically expensive days to fly domestically.

The Best Tools for Flexible Date Searches

Book Thanksgiving Travel Before Halloween

Whether you choose to fly domestic or international, it will be best to book your flights at least three weeks in advance, which is when airfares tend to rise even more. This means you’ll want to try and purchase tickets before the end of October. Hopper is forecasting that domestic airfares will increase around 40% if you wait to book until November and an additional 25% for last-minute bookings.

There have been last-minute sales for Thanksgiving travel in the past but with airlines flying fewer seats this year, it’s less likely that seats will need to be filled at the last-minute. And these types of sales in the past have typically been on ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier or Spirit and/or have only been for very limited off-peak travel dates/times.

Since most airlines are offering free changes to even the most basic tickets booked for travel through 2021, you can book now with the peace of mind that you can change your travel plans in the future without paying any extra fees. Bottom line, be flexible with your travel dates and book your Thanksgiving trip sooner than later for the best deals.

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TSA offers Thanksgiving holiday travel tips for passengers departing Spokane International Airport

SPOKANE, Washington - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates a high number of people will be screened through the security checkpoints at Spokane International Airport (GEG) this Thanksgiving holiday travel season, likely equaling or surpassing 2019 volumes.

Since Nov. 1, 2022, TSA nationally has screened an average of 2.13 million people per day at airports nationwide. With this sustained high volume of travelers, TSA anticipates that security checkpoints across the country will be increasingly busy during the Thanksgiving travel season, which kicked off Friday, Nov. 18 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 27.

The three busiest days during the Thanksgiving travel period nationally are typically Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving and Sunday after the holiday. TSA could screen as many as 2.5 million passengers at checkpoints nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and may surpass 2.5 million passengers on Sunday, Nov. 27.

Locally at GEG, the busiest days leading up to Thanksgiving are projected to be Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 23 when more than 6,300 and 7,100 passengers respectively will be screened by TSA. The post-holiday rush at GEG will see more than 6,600 travelers screened on Saturday, Nov. 26 and more than 7,400 on Sunday, Nov. 27. The fewest travelers are projected to depart GEG on Thanksgiving when approximately 4,500 will be screened.

“With high travel volumes projected nationally and locally leading up to and after Thanksgiving, the best piece piece of advice I have for passengers is arrive at the airport early and arrive prepared. Every step of the travel process takes longer during peak travel times. This holiday season is no exception,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “TSA diligently monitors our operations and makes needed adjustments throughout the day. Whether it is reallocating our staff to checkpoints within the airport or extending the shifts of our employees, we remain committed to delivering the highest level of security to the traveling public.”

The security checkpoints at GEG open at 3:30 a.m. daily. Due to several flights departing early in the morning, travelers can expect to encounter large numbers of people who need to be screened first thing in the morning. Passengers can expect to encounter security lines during peak times when the number of passengers who need to be screened may exceed the capacity of the checkpoint.

TSA at GEG strives to staff the security checkpoints based on the number of travelers projected to depart the airport at various times during the day. The busiest times at GEG by checkpoint are:

TSA strives to get travelers through the general security screening process in less than 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck® screening in less than 10 minutes. In October 2022, 91% of TSA PreCheck passengers nationwide waiting less than five minutes to be screened.

In 2019, TSA screened the highest number of passengers in its history on the Sunday following Thanksgiving when nearly 2.9 million people nationwide. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2021, TSA screened approximately 2.5 million people nationwide.

Travel advice TSA continues to ask travelers to arrive early and prepared for the screening experience to allow for timely completion of every step of the travel process. To help things go smoothly, please follow these tips: #1: Pack smart. Prepare for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in carry-on luggage. Bringing prohibited item to the security checkpoint will result in a bag check, slowing the screening process for you and all travelers behind you. Also, your carry-on is not a turkey, so please don’t overstuff it. A cluttered carry-on can lead to a TSA officer having to conduct a bag check.  

#4: Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. Wrapped items are screened just like any other item. If a wrapped item alarms the security screening technology whether in carry-on or checked luggage, a TSA officer may have to unwrap it to determine what the item is and confirm it does not pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag for easy access and resolution.

# 5: Download the free myTSA app and follow TSA on social media. The myTSA app is a trusted source for last-minute travel questions, providing travelers with 24-hour access to the most frequently requested airport security information. It also features a searchable “Can I Bring” database where you can enter the name of an item and find out if you should pack it in your checked or carry-on bag. The app is available from the App Store or Google Play. Travelers can also Tweet or Message AskTSA to get answers to last-minute questions. Live assistance is available daily including weekends and holidays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.

#6: Listen for guidance from TSA officers. Some people may not have traveled recently, so it is important to listen to the direction provided in the security checkpoint. There may be information on new technologies that help reduce touchpoints and make for a more streamlined and convenient passenger experience, so listen up! #7: Give yourself plenty of time at the airport.  Extra time may be needed for parking, checking a bag at the airline check-in counters and in the security checkpoint. There is no substitute for arriving early and prepared.

TSA hiring TSOs at GEG Finally, TSA has immediate openings for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to work at GEG. The starting hourly rate is $18.59. As an incentive to join the agency, TSA will pay newly-hired TSOs at GEG $2,500 upon starting with the agency and $2,500 after one year of service with the TSA.

 Benefits for TSOs include paid training, annual and sick leave, health care plans for full- and part-time employees and a generous 401k retirement plan. TSOs are also eligible for up to $5,000 per year in college tuition reimbursement. TSA does not prorate benefits for part-time workers, and veteran’s preference is not required to join the agency.

TSOs screen hundreds of airline travelers daily, ensuring that travelers arrive at their destinations safely and securely. Applicants do not need previous experience working in security or law enforcement fields. Newly-hired TSOs will attend a two-weeks standardized training with other recently hired TSOs from around the country as well as receive ongoing on-the-job training.

After six months, TSOs are eligible for pay increases and those who work early mornings, evenings and Sundays receive a shift differential. Overtime opportunities, which are paid at time and a half, are frequently available.

“TSA is focused on recruiting and hiring dozens of people from the local community to ensure that we are fully staffed to screen travelers departing GEG. The entire Inland Northwest benefits when we are able to run our security operations in the most efficient and effective manner,” said TSA’s Greg Hawko. “We invite those who are interested in joining an established team of security professionals to consider TSA as your next career move. The benefits and opportunities are second to none.”

To begin the application process, visit https://jobs.tsa.gov .  In the “Search TSA jobs” box, enter “TSO” in the search box to the left and “Spokane” in the “location” search box to the right.

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Flying for Thanksgiving? Expect packed planes, unruly passengers and cancellations

David Schaper

Unclaimed baggage wells up between carousels for passengers arriving on Southwest Airlines flights at Denver International Airport late Sunday, Oct. 10, in Denver. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

Unclaimed baggage wells up between carousels for passengers arriving on Southwest Airlines flights at Denver International Airport late Sunday, Oct. 10, in Denver.

A year ago, many of us stayed home or went to small gatherings for turkey, stuffing and Mama Stamberg's cranberry relish , but this year, the wide availability of coronavirus vaccines in the U.S. is making more people feel comfortable flying longer distances for Thanksgiving.

If you're among them, brace yourself for long lines in crowded airports and jam packed flights, because the early pandemic days of half-empty planes are long gone.

"We're seeing a lot of people very much, you know, looking to travel and fly for Thanksgiving this year and make up for maybe staying at home last year," says Vivek Pandya, lead analyst for Adobe Digital Insights, which tracks airline booking data.

As of Nov. 7, bookings for Thanksgiving week flights are up 78% over last year, and they're even slightly ahead of 2019, up 3.2% from pre-pandemic levels.

"There's excitement around potentially, you know, being with family and friends for Thanksgiving again. So that's, you know, pushing up bookings, you know, pretty sizably there," Pandya says.

But Pandya says as bookings rise, so do prices.

"We are seeing flight ticket prices increase because we're seeing this high demand for Thanksgiving," Pandya says, as air fares are up significantly from last year's pandemic bargains.

Higher fuel prices are contributing to higher fares, too, with the price of crude oil rising 66% this year.

Coronavirus Updates

American airlines plane is diverted after a passenger assaults a flight attendant.

Passengers line up outside the Spirit Airlines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season. Eugene Garcia/AP hide caption

Passengers line up outside the Spirit Airlines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season.

Airlines have had operational meltdowns that forced delays and cancellation of thousands of flights

In recent months, some airlines have had trouble handling the rapid recovery in air travel demand. Southwest , Spirit and American have all had operational meltdowns that forced them to delay and cancel thousands of flights.

Some of those delays and cancellations were initially caused by bad weather, but the airlines' staffing levels were stretched too thin and "problems snowballed" as they had too few pilots and flight attendants available to catch up and recover, says Kathleen Bangs, a former commercial airline pilot who is now with the flight tracking firm FlightAware. And she notes that now, winter is coming.

"And so what's going to be interesting is to see what are the airlines going to do to handle not only this huge influx of capacity of passengers that are going to be wanting to travel starting out with the Thanksgiving season, but what's going to happen when we have a major weather system impact? Are we going to see another meltdown?"

Bangs says airlines cannot overpromise by adding too many flights to meet the increased holiday travel demand, they and then underdeliver by having too few pilots, flight attendants and other employees to run their operations smoothly when the inevitable bad winter weather hits.

"Because it's one thing to have a meltdown at the end of October," Bangs says. "But it's another thing completely if you ruin somebody's Thanksgiving or Christmas or make them miss it altogether. That is on a whole other level."

American Airlines , which had the most recent operational meltdown last month, says on Nov. 1, it has brought back 1,800 flight attendants who had been on leave, and another 600 new hires come on board Dec. 1.

In addition, the airline and its flight attendants union negotiated for bonus pay of 150% their normal rate to flight attendants who work at critical times over the holiday season, and up to triple pay, 300%, to flight attendants who don't call in sick at all over certain critical periods in November, December and into January.

But American's pilots union rejected the airline's offer of a similar boost in pay to work holiday season flights, saying pilots would rather focus on "meaningful permanent improvements in a new collective bargaining agreement."

An American Airlines plane grounded at O'Hare International Airport. Chicago in April. David Schaper/NPR hide caption

An American Airlines plane grounded at O'Hare International Airport. Chicago in April.

Flight attendants are mentally and physically exhausted and continue to face abuse from passengers

American Airlines flight attendant Paul Hartshorn, Jr., spokesman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, says the bump in pay is well deserved.

"It's been a really difficult almost two years now for our flight attendants, it's just been one hit after another and they are mentally and physically exhausted at times," he told NPR, noting that he and his colleagues continue to face a high number of incidents of verbal and physical abuse on flights.

"We've had flight attendants shoved, punched, pushed to the floor and hit their head on the armrest on the way down. Really, really serious injuries that we're dealing with here."

On one recent flight , he says a passenger repeatedly punched a flight attendant in the face, breaking her nose and other facial bones. That passenger was arrested and charged by federal authorities as the FAA is now increasingly referring these cases to the FBI and Department of Justice for prosecution.

The FAA has now received more than 5,100 reports of unruly passenger incidents since January, and agency data show that almost three in four incidents involve passengers refusing to wear masks.

On Wednesday, the FAA announced it was proposing fines ranging from $9,000 to $32,000 on 10 passengers for incidents of unruly behavior on flights, including assault.

"Look, the masks are here for the holiday season," Hartshorn says. "It's incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to socially distance onboard an aircraft. And we have a lot of passengers that don't have access to the vaccine, we have children who are just now gaining access to the vaccine."

There could be a possible shortage of TSA officers to work at security checkpoints

Another potential problem for Thanksgiving air travelers is long lines at airport security checkpoints, as there could be a possible shortage of TSA officers to work those checkpoints.

Like all federal government employees, TSA workers face a Nov. 22 deadline for being fully vaccinated. As of last month, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said about 40% of the agency's 65,000 employees had not yet reported their vaccination status.

Officials say they expect the actual number of unvaccinated officers will be low, adding that those who do not comply with the mandate will be be able to work, while going through a process of vaccine education and counseling, so they don't expect having any staffing shortages over the holiday season.

"We're keeping an eye on this. Our goal is always to protect passengers, get them to their destination safely, and we'll know more when we get closer to the deadline," says Chicago-based TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle. "Right now, we're just focused on encouraging all employees to get vaccinated and collecting that information from them as they do it."

Mayle also says the TSA says it is staffing up in preparation for the holidays to try to minimize long lines at security checkpoints.

"We've been hiring all year, we've hired more than 6,000 officers across the country this year," she says.

"We have local teams on the ground (at airports) across the country ... They definitely know the times of day, the flight patterns, the passenger patterns that they see and they keep their staffing level appropriate so that you don't see wait lines beyond what we can (normally) expect."

But with many people possibly flying for the first time in a long time, Mayle advises travelers to plan ahead and not bring any prohibited items in carry-on bags, and she advises travelers to arrive at the airport two hours before their flight's departure time.

• Thanksgiving travel

Your Thanksgiving travel guide: Forecasts from airlines and best times to hit the road

AAA predicts nearly 49 million people to travel by car this Thanksgiving.

Millions are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday and airlines say they're prepared for the travel rush.

Airlines this fall boasted the most full-time employees in 20 years, and industry leaders say airlines are well-positioned to handle the holiday uptick in passengers.

On the roads, AAA predicts nearly 49 million people to travel by car over Thanksgiving -- up 0.4% from last year.

Here's what you need to know:

MORE: Experts share best times to book, airport hacks and more holiday travel insights

Travelers staying in the U.S for Thanksgiving are headed to big cities like New York, Orlando and Los Angeles, according to Hopper. For international travel, Dublin, Cancun and Doha, Qatar, are topping Hopper’s list of most-booked destinations.

American Airlines expects to serve 6.8 million customers over Thanksgiving with more than 66,000 scheduled flights. American said Sunday, Nov. 27 will likely be its busiest travel day.

Delta Air Lines plans to carry nearly 6 million customers from Nov. 18 to Nov. 29. Delta also expects its peak travel days to be Nov. 18 and Nov. 27.

United Airlines is preparing for more than 5.5 million travelers between Nov. 18 and Nov. 30. Houston, Chicago O’Hare, Denver and Newark will be United’s busiest airports over the holiday. United anticipates Nov. 27 will be its busiest travel day since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

This year is forecast to be the third-busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA started tracking in 2000.

If you're hitting the road on the day before Thanksgiving, the worst time to travel is between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., while the best times are before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m., according to transportation analytics company INRIX.

If you're looking to head back home on the day after Thanksgiving, the worst road travel time is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., while the best times are before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m., INRIX said. The same road travel advice goes for the Sunday after Thanksgiving as well.

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Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here are 5 tips from travel experts

It's no secret that traveling this summer was more chaotic than in years past. But how will travel around Thanksgiving — one of the busiest flying seasons in the U.S. — look this year?

In the summer, air travel was hugely impacted by understaffing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, causing flight cancellations and delays along with lost baggage and an overall rocky journeying experience.

To ease the stress around traveling during this Thanksgiving season, TODAY spoke to two travel experts and consulted with travel site TripAdvisor to compile a list of tips and answer common questions about the less-than-friendly skies.

How will Thanksgiving travel look in 2022?

According to Tripadvisor's fall travel index , six out of 10 Americans plan to travel this season, despite the travel chaos, and 50% of people plan on traveling more this fall compared to last fall.

Melanie Lieberman, senior features editor at travel site The Points Guy, told TODAY that she is expecting a more chaotic travel season than normal, given the fact that airlines have already reduced their schedules and demand is high during the holiday season.

Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and co-host of travel show “The Jet Set,” pointed to a culmination of factors that he says has the potential to unfold in a disastrous way for travelers this Thanksgiving.

"What I'm really interested in watching is the convergence of COVID and the flu together without masks because that's something we haven't done yet," Laurie told TODAY, referencing how this holiday season will be the first winter and flu season that masks are no longer required on domestic flights.

"As people begin to call in sick, it's now a question of whether or not these airlines have enough staff to crew and man the plane," he said.

What time should I get to the airport?

Lieberman recommends arriving at the airport three hours before your flight to account for potentially long lines. But she also suggests taking extra measures to sidestep airport crowds.

"This is a really great time for travelers to ensure they are enrolled in programs that cut down on the time you need to spend at the airport and will make that travel process easier, so ensure that you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck ... or Clear," Lieberman said, referring to programs that allow travelers to skip long lines and have special exceptions at airport security, like not having to take your shoes off.

She also recommends checking if your credit card company allows access to an airport lounge, so you can arrive at the airport earlier and then spend time in the lounge.

Laurie also recommends arriving at the airport three hours before your flight, but he believes the long lines are the result of flyers anticipating them.

"Everyone goes super early, and then everyone's there for a 6 p.m. flight at 7 in the morning, and now you've got these lines that just continue on forever because everyone's paranoid," Laurie said.

To keep up to date with what airport lines might look like, Laurie suggests downloading the MyTSA app, where a special feature shows data from the Transportation Security Administration to check airport security wait times. FlightAware MiseryMap , dedicated to showing delays and cancelations in airports around the country, is another helpful tool.

What can I do to make the travel experience easier?

First and foremost, both experts emphasize the importance of flexibility and having a backup plan, because it's likely that your flying itinerary will not go perfectly smoothly.

Lieberman suggests flying out earlier in the week and later after Thanksgiving, given how short the holiday is, to give yourself a few days of buffer for getting where you need to be.

"One thing we've been recommending all summer long is taking the first flight out if you can, even if you're not an early bird," Lieberman said.

Casey Brogan, a consumer travel expert at Tripadvisor, told TODAY that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be the busiest day of travel. She recommends choosing your airports strategically.

"Airports in major hubs will be more crowded, (so) it’s a good time for travelers to take advantage of smaller regional airports whenever possible for a smoother experience with less delays and congestion," Brogan said.

Laurie added that some airlines have certain agreements with other airlines to rebook you should your flight get canceled.

"Not every airline has those agreements," Laurie said. "So in the back of your mind, have a backup plan in the event you are canceled and the next available flight isn't for three days, and at that point, it's already Thanksgiving."

How can I stay COVID-19 safe if there's no longer a mask mandate?

Masks are no longer mandated on domestic flights in the U.S., though some international flights may require masks through a country's specific COVID-19 requirements. But, Laurie said, masks are still recommended .

"It's not unusual anymore to board an airplane wearing a mask, whereas in 2019 if you did it, everyone would look at you thinking, 'Oh no, you're sick,'" he said. "Now, no one would even think a thing if you walk on the airplane wearing it, so why not do it to protect yourself?"

Additionally, with the flu season fast incoming, Laurie noted many people will be falling sick, and every airline is handling sick calls and positive COVID-19 cases differently.

To limit exposure and ease the travel process, Lieberman reiterated the importance of not traveling in the days immediately before and after the holiday, if possible, and instead trying to fly on less busy days earlier and later in the week.

How can I ease the travel process if I'm flying with children?

Lieberman recommends ensuring you have early boarding, whether that's part of the airline's policy or something that you have to pay for, because air travel will inevitably be more crowded this year.

"Flying on a less crowded day is definitely helpful," she emphasized. "(And) if you have a whole family traveling only with carry-ons, you want to make sure you have room for your bags in the overhead compartment ... so keeping your family together and getting early boarding is one way to cut down on the stress a little bit more."

Laurie recommends packing a little bit extra when traveling with children in the event that your journey hits a speed bump. He suggests looking into the airline's seating process, because some airlines will not necessarily seat families together just because they are on the same reservation.

"So long as there's a guardian for every child, there's no real requirement to fit you together if that's the fare you booked," Laurie said. "Make sure if you want to sit together, you spend the extra $15-$20 per ticket and ensure you have your seats together."

In all, Brogan summed up the travel experience in one concise tip: "Pack your patience, and recognize the airlines, hotels and restaurants on your vacation are doing their best to serve you despite continued labor and supply chain challenges."

Laya Neelakandan is a reporter for CNBC.

clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

Thanksgiving travel will be crowded, but not as chaotic as the summer

What to know about the busiest airports, high-traffic days and destinations for last-minute trips.

A perfectly roasted turkey, grandma’s stuffing and a heaping side of travel chaos: Busy airports and expensive flights have become an annual Thanksgiving tradition, and this year will be no exception.

With many families reuniting for the first time since the pandemic began, nearly 55 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home for the holiday this year, according to AAA . About 4.5 million plan to fly, an increase of nearly 8 percent from 2021.

This Thanksgiving is expected to be the “biggest air travel period since the start of covid,” said Peer Bueller, the chief financial officer at travel booking website Kayak.

“We’re inching really close to pre-pandemic levels,” especially for international travel, Bueller said.

After the chaos of summer travel this year, many travelers remain wary that staffing issues and extreme weather might derail their plans. Here’s what to know ahead of a busy travel week.

The busiest days at airports

Airlines have sold roughly 25 million seats departing from U.S. airports from the Sunday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after, about 6 percent more capacity than 2019, according to Hayley Berg, lead economist at the travel booking app Hopper .

The largest surge of travelers will come to airports on Wednesday and Sunday, especially in the mornings, according to Berg. Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver airports are expected to be the nation’s busiest all week long, with crowds peaking in the mornings. Las Vegas, Phoenix and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport will also be among the busiest but will see their largest crowds in the evenings, Berg said.

Your guide to surviving airport chaos

If you’re traveling during one of those peak times, expect long lines at security and have backup options in case your plans fall through, Berg said. “If you’re really worried, a lot of airlines are offering $0 changes to try to change your flight to earlier in the day or the day before,” she said.

The Transportation Security Administration will be “fully staffed” for the holiday period, with 20 million passengers expected to pass through checkpoints between Nov. 18 and Nov. 27, according to spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.

Farbstein recommends passengers arrive at the airport two hours early for a domestic flight and “pack some of that all-important patience.” If you’re traveling with Thanksgiving foods, be sure to place them in the right bag : solid foods like pie can go in a carry on, but liquids like wine and gravy must be checked.

“If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, then please pack it in a checked bag,” Farbstein said in an email.

The holiday foods you can and can’t bring in a carry-on, according to TSA

The days with peak Thanksgiving traffic

Travelers looking to avoid crowded airports may choose to hit the road, but expect significant congestion there, too.

Traffic is expected to peak Wednesday afternoon, especially in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta, according to INRIX, a transportation analytics firm.

If you need to travel Wednesday, leave before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, try to drive before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when traffic will be lightest, according to INRIX. For the return trip, avoid driving between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Gas prices have fallen 11 cents in the last week to $3.66 per gallon on average nationally as of Monday, according to AAA . While far below summer peaks of over $5 a gallon , it will still be the most expensive Thanksgiving for gas prices since AAA started tracking rates in 2000.

Drivers in the Mid-Atlantic region can find some relief at the gas station chain Sheetz, which has reduced its Unleaded 88 fuel to $1.99 a gallon for Thanksgiving week. Navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps now feature gas prices along your route, and Google Maps offers an eco-friendly routing option to find the most fuel-efficient route to your destination.

The best times to drive for Thanksgiving

Expect disruptions, but not as many as summer

Passengers who encountered delays, cancellations, lost bags and other travel disruptions this summer should expect some relief during Thanksgiving, according to experts.

Bueller said he expects disruptions during Thanksgiving to be “much less significant” than the summer, when factors like staffing and weather “blindsided” the industry.

“Thanksgiving is such a time-bound, well-defined travel period, and airlines have been able to prepare for that one much better than this summer,” he said.

Your canceled-flight emergency kit

Airlines say they have been hiring aggressively to deal with staffing shortages and adjusting schedules to improve reliability. Major U.S. carriers completed 99.3 percent of their flights in September and October, with 83 percent arriving on time, excluding those impacted by Hurricane Ian, according to the trade group Airlines for America.

Berg said airlines have been “very conservative” in scheduling for the remainder of 2022 to avoid overextending their fleets and staffing, which should allow them to fly the routes they planned.

“My expectation is that we’ll only see run-of-the-mill disruption, so think late tropical storms, blizzards, ice, snow — the more normal weather-based and every once in a while some equipment-based delays,” Berg said. Hopper expects the worst airports for delays to be Newark, Dallas Love Field and Miami.

Disruption remains top of mind for many air travelers, and Berg said about one-in-five customers are opting to buy Hopper’s Flight Disruption Guarantee , which allows for instant free rebooking in case of a flight disruption.

Storms could slow your return trip

In another relief to travelers, weather across most of the country is expected to be dry and mild on Wednesday, the busiest travel day, The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang reports .

Return travel could be more tricky. A storm system may bring rain and snow to the Northeast between Friday and the weekend, but meteorologists remain unsure of its intensity, so keep an eye on the forecast.

The South and Tennessee Valley are likely to see warm temperatures with some intermittent showers through the weekend. Rain is possible across most of Texas on Friday.

The Plains, Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, meanwhile, are expected to remain mostly dry and clear. The West should be mild and dry, with some rain possible in the Pacific Northwest.

Traveling? Here’s your region-by-region Thanksgiving forecast.

Last-minute deals on flights and hotels

The average Thanksgiving flight ticket was averaging around $380 round trip as of Thursday, with the price increasing $15 or more per day until the holiday, according to Berg.

“If you have not booked your Thanksgiving travel, you should book it today — right now — because prices are only going to increase from here,” Berg said.

Holiday travel prices are climbing high. Here’s how to save money.

Few deals remain, but if you’re looking for a last-minute getaway , flights to Atlanta are averaging around $100 and warm-weather destinations like Cancún, Mexico and Puerto Rico are around $400, she said. Travelers might also be able to score a cheap last-minute flight to Las Vegas and Nashville, where prices are averaging $321 and $345, respectively, according to Kayak.

On the hotel side, travelers might actually be able to benefit from waiting to book until the day they arrive, when hotels drop their rates as much as 25 percent to compete for the last-minute bookings, Berg noted. These deals are usually found in major cities with large hotel inventories, except for New York (because of its Thanksgiving parade) and leisure destinations like Miami.

“Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas, Denver — pretty much any city that has a lot of hotel options, you’re going to see last minute deals,” Berg said.

It’s cheaper to travel early next year

Your money will go much further if you sit out holiday travel and book a trip for early in 2023.

Hopper, along with 75 airline and hotel partners, will host its annual Travel Deal Tuesday sale on Nov. 29, which will see 50 percent more deals than the average day, according to the company. On that day, average domestic airfare will be about $50 cheaper and international flights will drop by $160, and Hopper adds additional promotional discounts, Berg said.

Travelers staying home for the holidays should consider booking their travel for mid-January, when domestic flights will be 28 percent cheaper and international flights will be 25 percent cheaper, according to Kayak.

“Those are very significant step downs that are worth waiting for,” Bueller said.

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U.S. Airlines Expect a Record-breaking Number of Travelers for Thanksgiving 2023 — and Share Which Days Will Be the Busiest

Delta, United, and American all expect the number of travelers for the holiday to surpass 2019.

Sam Hodgson/Getty Images

Major airlines in the United States are expecting record numbers of travelers this year over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

United Airlines , for example, told Travel + Leisure it expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever with more than 5.9 million people flying from Nov. 17 to Nov. 29. That’s 13 percent more passengers than last year and nearly 5 percent more than 2019.

All that will be supported by an average of more than 3,900 flights per day.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines told T+L it expects to fly between 6.2 million and 6.4 million passengers from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28, also an increase compared to both 2019 and last year. The carrier expects the busiest days to be the Friday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 17, and the Sunday and Monday after the holiday, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.

American Airlines expects to welcome the most travelers with more than 7.8 million customers forecast to fly with the airline from Nov. 16 to Nov. 28. The volume of passengers will mark the most trafficked Thanksgiving ever for the carrier with Nov. 26 expected to be the busiest travel day.

“We are running the best operation in our airline’s history,” David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer, said in a statement . “As our customers travel to spend time with their friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving, we look forward to continuing to deliver a safe and reliable operation they can count on, and that’s thanks to the hard work of our more than 130,000 team members.”

This year, holiday flights are also forecast to be more expensive than in the past . Flights for Thanksgiving, specifically, are expected to be about 12 percent pricier than last year, according to a recent study.

But while domestic travel is consistently busy — and pricey — for the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s actually a great time to travel internationally . In fact, travelers can often find great deals on international airfare during that time and hotels around the world offer Turkey Day-themed experiences to celebrate.

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Thanksgiving travel - live: Thousands of flights delayed on busiest day of the year

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A storm will move over the central and eastern US just in time to disrupt Americans ’ Thanksgiving travel plans.

Wednesday is expected to be the busiest road travel day for US holiday travelers, with more than 49 million Americans expected to drive to their destinations during the Thanksgiving stretch.

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow are expected to move from the central US across the Midwest and ultimately into the northeast just in time for the holiday.

The storm system will hit the Midwest and Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Tuesday before turning northeast for the mid and latter portion of the week.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York warned travelers in the state to be cautious as there was a risk of “extreme winter weather” during peak travel days.

Tuesday will bring severe thunderstorms, rain, snow and wind to much of the eastern half of the US. Those storms are expected to wane on Wednesday, making way for an undisturbed Thanksgiving Day in most parts of the US.

Severe weather may disrupt Thanksgiving travel

Santa Ana winds expected to hit California this week

Travel news after explosion at niagara falls.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 23:37 , Michelle Del Rey

Buffalo Niagara International Airport has reopened to arriving international flights and departures following a car explosion that occurred at the US-Canada border in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, according to the US Department of Transportation .

The airport had been closed to the flights following the incident at Rainbow Bridge, which left two people dead and one border patrol officer injured.

According to authorities, a western New York resident attempted to cross the bridge around 12pm. When a border patrol officer directed the vehicle into a secondary lane for searching, it sped up, went airborne over an 8-foot fence, crashed, caught fire and then exploded.

Three international bridges — The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, and Peace Bridge — also reopened after officials closed them as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, Amtrak services between New York State and Canada remain temporarily suspended.

During a news conference, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul said there is no active terroristic threat and that she didn’t believe the crash to be motivated by terrorism.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman

Something to be thankful for—Thursday’s forecast looks “fairly pleasant,” the National Weather Service says

With apologies to those in the Northern Plains, Thanksgiving temperatures look fairly pleasant for much of the CONUS. Find your detailed forecast at https://t.co/VyWINDkBnn pic.twitter.com/yzf7pRIDx9 — National Weather Service (@NWS) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 22:30 , Kelly Rissman

Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are expected at LAX

An estimated 103,000 vehicles are expected at the Los Angeles airport on Wednesday, when 223,000 passengers are expected to travel, KABC reported.

On Sunday, when travelers are expected to return, 98,000 vehicles are anticipated to return after Thanksgiving.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 22:00 , Kelly Rissman

Union workers’ rally at LAX has begun

LAX workers are getting ready to make our voices heard: it’s time to raise the Living Wage for tourism workers! We’re calling on the LA City Council to stop the delays, RAISE THE WAGE NOW! @TWRisingLA @LAANE @GoodAirports pic.twitter.com/m9F4UiVjyO — SEIU USWW (@seiuusww) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 21:30 , Kelly Rissman

Colorado governor warns of holiday traffic delays

Holiday travel can cause traffic delays, and we are doing our part to help reduce congestion on the roads this holiday season so people can spend more time with their loved ones and less time in traffic. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and drives safely! pic.twitter.com/dN4qQYqI9m — Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman

WATCH: North Carolina hit by rain and holiday traffic

POV: Staycationers to the left lane 🚗 pic.twitter.com/aOFp1jhT7t — AccuWeather (@accuweather) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 20:30 , Kelly Rissman

Atlanta Airport by the numbers

Atlanta Airport wrote on X that 32,029 passengers were screened by 8am.

“This was the busiest AM rush in TSA-ATL history. At peak, the wait was 37 minutes and all checkpoint lanes were operational,” the post said.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 20:00 , Kelly Rissman

Great news for passengers: flights seem are being cancelled less often

From January through October, airlines cancelled 38 per cent fewer flights than during the same period in 2022, the AP reported.

From June through August, when thunderstorms threaten easy air travel, flight cancellations dropped by 18 per cent compared to 2022.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 19:30 , Kelly Rissman

Snow is already accumulating in the northeast

Danbury, New Hampshire has over six inches of snow as of this morning and southern Vermont, according to the National Weather Service.

A white Thanksgiving for much of northern New England pic.twitter.com/NB0vdwqfQ1 — NWS Northeast RFC (@NWSNERFC) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 19:00 , Kelly Rissman

A birdseye view of the air traffic during the busiest travel week of the year

Flights moving smoothly throughout the US on what is set to be the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving week. There are more than 50,000 flights scheduled to/from US airports today. pic.twitter.com/s05gxeiFFj — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 18:30 , Kelly Rissman

WATCH: Transportation Sec Pete Buttigieg offers travel tips ahead of Thanksgiving

If you're taking a flight this Thanksgiving, here are a few things you should know. pic.twitter.com/LpOsn3ikT2 — Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) November 21, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 18:00 , Kelly Rissman

Tuesday night’s traffic jam in LA

Traffic on Tuesday evening was already bumper-to-bumper on 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, according to video footage, as millions plan to travel for the holiday.

'Twas the traffic nightmare before Thanksgiving as commuters sat through bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405 Freeway in LA https://t.co/lAVPIT30nL pic.twitter.com/WKhNKJ6SSK — FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 17:30 , Kelly Rissman

Members of the White House Communications team touted lower gas prices under the Biden administration ahead of busiest travel days

This Thanksgiving, we’re seeing important progress on inflation, with prices lower for: ⬇️ Thanksgiving dinner ⬇️ Gas ⬇️ Airline tickets ⬇️ Car rentals ⬇️ Toys ⬇️ TVs pic.twitter.com/a7fAFu3BbJ — Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) November 22, 2023

https://t.co/KmE6sYbjkr pic.twitter.com/AMqAttowmm — Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) November 22, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving https://t.co/nD3ckQsiS6 — Ben LaBolt (@WHCommsDir) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 17:00 , Kelly Rissman

Reagan National Airport is telling customers to line up early — and here’s why

The DC airport is encouraging those flying during Thanksgiving week to arrive hours early. An NBC reporter captured video footage, documenting exactly why that might be a good idea, showing hundreds of people waiting in line.

This is why they tell you to get to the airport 2 HOURS EARLY. Welcome to one of the busiest days in the entire year for air travel. This is @Reagan_Airport at ~6am on the eve of Thanksgiving 2023. pic.twitter.com/ZyaQyeHsZc — Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 16:41 , Kelly Rissman

A potential protest at LAX amid travel chaos

Roughly 100 union workers are expected to rally to “demand that the City Council move forward a motion to raise airport and tourism workers’ wages to $25/hour immediately and progressively reach $30/hour by 2028,” SEIU-USWW said, KTLA5 reported.

The rally is expected to begin at 11am in Terminal 7.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 16:30 , Kelly Rissman

Chaos breaks out at Reagan National Airport as a mouse is allegedly on the loose

Flight delayed at Reagan but the real crisis unfolding is a rogue mouse at Gate 29… pic.twitter.com/2Sn6JkB638 — Doug Andres (@DougAndres) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 15:30 , Kelly Rissman

Why is this the busiest travel week in decades?

Lower gas prices and more affordable flights could be contributing to a spike in travellers this year, according to the New York Times.

Today’s national average gas price is $3.281, according to AAA gas prices. That number is down from a year ago, when the national average gas price was $3.636.

The Times reported that the average price for a domestic flight around Thanksgiving was down nine percent from a year ago, according to Hopper data last month.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 15:00 , Kelly Rissman

WATCH: FAA gives travel tips ahead of the storms

Today is the busiest travel day this week so get to the airport early! Rain and gusty winds may cause delays and cancellations so check your flight status with your airline. Airport info is at https://t.co/smgdqJN3td and our tips are at https://t.co/HzQWUCBzvV . #Thanksgiving2023 pic.twitter.com/UqsyhhYrm1 — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) November 22, 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023 14:23 , Kelly Rissman

Today is the busiest travel day before Thanksgiving

Nearly 2.7m passengers will be flying on Wednesday ahead of the holiday, according to the Associated Press. However, that number will increase after Thanksgiving, as a predicted 2.9m will be traveling on Sunday.

The rise in travel comes alongside storms that are expected to plague parts of the country.

A winter weather advisory is in effect in parts of Maine and Vermont in the east, while in the west, the same can be expected for parts of Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

DOT head Pete Buttigieg tells air travelers they are entitled to full refunds if their flights are cancelled

Wednesday 22 November 2023 14:00 , Graig Graziosi

Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posted a video on Tuesday informing air travelers of their rights — and what compensation they can expect — in the event of flight cancellations or delays this holiday season.

“This year, we have seen some of the busiest air travel days in US history. And so far this year, our aviation system has been handling the increased volume well. In fact, cancellations are lower than they were before the pandemic, and we’re pushing hard to keep it that way.”

“If your flight does get delayed or cancelled, know that the Department of Transportation has your back. For example, we have obtained enforceable commitments from the ten largest airlines to cover expenses for things like rebooking, meals, and more when you face delays or cancellations that are the airline’s responsibility. You should also know you are entitled to a full cash refund if your flight is cancelled for any reason.”

Mr Buttigieg said the DOT’s regulations have helped return more than $2.5bn dollars to travelers whose flights have been cancelled. He recommended air travelers to visit FlightRights.gov to review their rights as travelers before they set off for their holiday destinations.

New York State DOT offers tips for holiday drivers

Wednesday 22 November 2023 13:00 , Graig Graziosi

The New York State Department of Transportation offered up a list of tips for holiday travelers taking to the roads to reach their destinations this Thanksgiving.

Much of NYS is expected to receive some amount of winter ❄ weather beginning early afternoon today through Wednesday. Please plan ahead and give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. pic.twitter.com/NNSji2XrGX — NYSDOT (@NYSDOT) November 21, 2023

Northern New York and northern New England are were forecasted to see freezing rain and sleet Tuesday evening with the potential for some snow overnight, though accumulation is unlikely in all but the most elevated of the affected regions.

Wednesday is expected to be the busiest day for road travelers. AAA recommends that drivers leave either early or late in the day to avoid the worst of the holiday traffic.

Wednesday 22 November 2023 22:47 , Kelly Rissman

Flight cancellations and delays soar

According to FlightAware data on Wednesday evening, more than 3,000 flights were delayed and 60 flights were cancelled.

The flight disruptions come as the TSA predicted 2.7m passengers would fly on Wednesday, while AAA estimated that 55.4m Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Wednesday and Sunday.

Thanksgiving will be chilly, but mostly dry, according to forecasters

Wednesday 22 November 2023 11:00 , Graig Graziosi

After a wet and windy Tuesday and Wednesday, Thanksgiving day is expected to be relatively dry, but chilly across much of the US.

“High temperatures in the Central and Southern Plains will average 10 to 20 degrees below the norm. Meanwhile in the Northwest, temperatures will be mild for the most part as high pressure builds across the region,” the NOAA reports.

New York Mayor Eric Adams issues travel advisory

Wednesday 22 November 2023 09:00 , Graig Graziosi

New York Mayor Eric Adams issued a travel advisory for the city’s residents on Tuesday, warning them of heavy rains and strong winds heading into the Thanksgiving holiday stretch.

“ @nycemergencymgt has issued a travel advisory for today, November 21, through tomorrow, November 22. Be prepared for heavy rains and strong winds. Bundle up, add extra time for travel, and follow @NotifyNYC for more updates as we have them,” the mayor wrote.

. @nycemergencymgt has issued a travel advisory for today, November 21, through tomorrow, November 22. Be prepared for heavy rains and strong winds. Bundle up, add extra time for travel, and follow @NotifyNYC for more updates as we have them. — Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 21, 2023

Some parts of New England may get up to three inches of snow

Wednesday 22 November 2023 07:00 , Graig Graziosi

While most of the snow that will fall late Tuesday night on New England will melt before accumulation is possible, there are some higher-elevation areas where forecasters expect it to stick.

Massachusetts broadcaster WBZ-TV’s weather team predicts up to three inches of snow could accumulate — for a few hours — in the northern, higher elevation portions of the state.

Most of that snow will be compacted and will melt as temperatures increase on Wednesday.

FAA administrator has a message for holiday travelers: be nice to flight staff, or else

Wednesday 22 November 2023 04:59 , Graig Graziosi

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker took to X/Twitter to warn Thanksgiving travelers — who are likely to face possible delays, long lines, and congested airports — to be nice to the flight crews working over the holidays.

“If you’re flying, please be nice to your flight crew. They are there for your safety. The FAA has zero tolerance for unruly behavior,” he said in a post.

Air travelers on Tuesday are most likely to experience disruptions due to a winter storm system moving from the central US across the Midwest and into the northeast.

If you’re flying, please be nice to your flight crew. They are there for your safety. The FAA has zero tolerance for unruly behavior. — FAA Mike Whitaker (@FAA_Mike) November 20, 2023

FAA predicts nearly 50,000 flights on Wednesday

Wednesday 22 November 2023 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

The FAA is predicting nearly 50,000 flights will take off Wednesday to deliver holiday travelers to their Thanksgiving destinations.

Wednesday will be the peak air travel day, with 49,606 flights scheduled. Tuesday will be the second highest, with 48,403 flights scheduled.

Tuesday may provde a difficult day for air travelers due to a winter storm system moving through the central US into the Midwest and northeast, bringing rain and thunderstorms throughout the region.

Sunday is predicted to be the most popular day for return travelers, with 44,991 flights scheduled.

More than 49 million Americans will drive to Thanksgiving destinations this year

Wednesday 22 November 2023 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

More than 55 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles to reach their Thanksgiving destinations between Wednesday and Sunday, and more than 49 million of those travelers will be driving, according to the AAA.

The Transportation Safety Administration expects a significant portion of those drivers will be on the roads Wednesday. Thankfully, much of the inclement weather predicted for the week will be over, but drivers in parts of northern New York and northern New England should be prepared for possibly slick roads due to sleet and freezing rain Tuesday evening.

Slick roads possible in northeast on Wednesday morning

Tuesday 21 November 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Roads in parts of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire may be slick on Wednesday morning after overnights storms dump a mix of rain and possible snow on the region Tuesday evening.

Snow is expected to arrived in Maine on Wednesday as a storm system begins moving eastward across the US today.

The Midwest and northeast will feel the brunt of the inclement weather on Tuesday, with thunderstorms, snow, and rain likely.

Thanksgiving 2023 expected to be busiest holiday travel season ever, according to Transportation Security Administration

Tuesday 21 November 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

The Transportation Security Administration said the 2023 Thanksgiving travel season will be the busiest in US history.

The agency reports the busiest flight days will be Tuesday and Wednesday.

The busiest day for drivers will be Wednesday, according to INRIX, a transportation analytics company.

Drivers are advised to leave home early in the morning or after 6pm to avoid running into the heaviest traffic, INRIX told ABC News.

Inclement weather on Tuesday across the Midwest and northeast may cause delays for air travelers. The storms are expected to die down on Wednesday.

Washington DC, Baltimore feel brunt of weather-related flight delays

Tuesday 21 November 2023 21:15 , Graig Graziosi

Travelers flying out of Washington DC and Baltimore for Thanksgiving have felt the brunt of weather-related flight delays Tuesday.

Between Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Dulles International Airport, 40 flights have been delayed this afternoon.

The ongoing winter storm moving east toward the US east cost and northeast is currently situated directly over the Washington DC and Baltimore area.

Flight delays in New York and the northeast may increase later in the evening as the storm moves into the region.

California Interstate 10 reopens after arson just in time for Thanksgiving travel

Tuesday 21 November 2023 20:48 , Graig Graziosi

California’s I-10 near Los Angeles reopened on Monday after it was temporarily closed for repairs. Portions of the highway were shut down after a suspected arsonist lit a fire on the roadway.

The freeway was reopened just in time to allow access to Thanksgiving travelers.

Traffic is now flowing on all five lanes in each direction on the I-10, ahead of tomorrow morning’s commute and before the Thanksgiving holiday! pic.twitter.com/pQvVCK0zV2 — Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) November 20, 2023

Of course, even with the I-10 reopen, it’s still Los Angeles.

Thank god they reopened the 10, there is no more traffic in LA. pic.twitter.com/T9R07XjqP8 — Chris (@ilovetransit) November 21, 2023

WATCH: Pre-Thanksgiving forecast update

Tuesday 21 November 2023 19:54 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 19:20 , Graig Graziosi

"This year, we have seen some of the busiest air travel days in US history. And so far this year, our aviation system has been handling the increased volume well. In fact, cancellations are lower than they were before the pandemic, and we're pushing hard to keep it that way."

"If your flight does get delayed or cancelled, know that the Department of Transportation has your back. For example, we have obtained enforceable commitments from the ten largest airlines to cover expenses for things like rebooking, meals, and more when you face delays or cancellations that are the airline's responsibility. You should also know you are entitled to a full cash refund if your flight is cancelled for any reason."

Mr Buttigieg said the DOT's regulations have helped return more than $2.5bn dollars to travelers whose flights have been cancelled. He recommended air travelers to visit FlightRights.gov to review their rights as travelers before they set off for their holiday destinations.

Tuesday 21 November 2023 18:57 , Graig Graziosi

Northern New York and northern New England are expected to see freezing rain and sleet this evening with the potential for some snow overnight, though accumulation is unlikely in all but the most elevated of the affected regions.

Tuesday 21 November 2023 18:04 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 17:10 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 15:43 , Graig Graziosi

Rain stretching from Atlanta to Washington DC and New York

Tuesday 21 November 2023 15:00 , Graig Graziosi

A band of rain stretching from Atlanta northward to Washington DC will soak the region Tuesday, causing possible delays and disruptions to holiday travelers.

The rain will move northeast from Washington DC to New York around 5pm.

Freezing rain and sleet are possible in northern New York and northern New England.

Tuesday’s forecast map

Tuesday 21 November 2023 14:27 , Graig Graziosi

Freezing rain is possible in the northeast, thunderstorms are forming throughout the Midwest, and both may contribute to delays and disruptions for holiday travelers on Tuesday.

Here’s the latest National Weather Service forecast map for Tuesday.

Tuesday 21 November 2023 14:00 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 13:00 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 12:00 , Graig Graziosi

Rain, not snow, most likely for Midwest, northeast

Tuesday 21 November 2023 11:00 , Graig Graziosi

The National Weather Service reports that most of the precipitation falling east of the Mississippi River over the next two days will be rain.

A major storm system will move across the Midwest and into the northeast on Tuesday, bringing with it thunderstorms and rainfall, which may disrupt flights and cause less than ideal road conditions for motorists traveling for Thanksgiving.

There are some exceptions; the Central Appalachians into portions of the interior northeast may experience sleet and freezing rain on Tuesday morning, and accumulating snows are possible across northern New York state and into northern New England on Tuesday night.

Tuesday 21 November 2023 09:00 , Graig Graziosi

WATCH: Disruptive storm to strike amid busiest Thanksgiving travel times

Tuesday 21 November 2023 07:00 , Graig Graziosi

2.6m people per day expected to travel through airports for Thanksgiving holiday week

Tuesday 21 November 2023 04:59 , Graig Graziosi

The FAA estimates that 2.6m people will travel through airports each day during the Thanksgiving holiday week.

The administration said that long lines, delays, and congested airports should be expected all week long.

Delays and possible cancellations are likely as thunderstorms, heavy rain, and snow are expected to move from the center of the US through the Midwest and into the northeast on Tuesday and early Wednesday.

Tuesday 21 November 2023 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

WATCH: Weather forecast: Thanksgiving week

Tuesday 21 November 2023 02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Tuesday 21 November 2023 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

While the central and eastern US grapples with thunderstorms, rain, and snow, some Californians will have to contend with powerful Santa Ana winds ahead of Thanksgiving.

Wind advisories are in place for much of San Diego County through 2pm PST on Tuesday. Forecasters warn of “moderate to strong” Santa Ana winds, particularly on Monday.

Santa Ana winds are typically in excess of 40mph (64kmh) but strong gusts can exceed 100mph (161kmh). The stronger gusts can push cars, topple big rigs, and exacerbate wild fires during the arid fall months in Southern California.

WATCH: 2.5M passengers expected at LAX over Thanksgiving

Tuesday 21 November 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Thanksgiving week weather: Storms threaten to worsen holiday travel chaos

Monday 20 November 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, with more than 55 million Americans set to travel by road and by sky over the holiday week.

Forecasters are now warning that the usual travel rush could be exacerbated by various weather events across the nation.

In the South, rain and thunderstorms were predicted from Sunday through Tuesday , according to AccuWeather .

Storms threaten to worsen Thanksgiving holiday travel chaos

TSA screenings by the numbers

Monday 20 November 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

The Transport Safety Administration predicts this year will be the busiest holiday travel year on record, beginning with Thanksgiving.

The agency predicts that 2.7m people will be screened for flights on Wednesday, which is expected to be the busiest flying day of the Thanksgiving holiday stretch.

The easiest day for travel will be on Thanksgiving, when most travelers will be having dinner with their families.

Sunday will be the busiest return day, with the TSA estimating 2.9m travelers will be screened for flights back home.

Monday 20 November 2023 21:20 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 21:00 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 20:41 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 20:08 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 19:30 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 19:09 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 18:36 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 18:20 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 17:40 , Graig Graziosi

Monday 20 November 2023 17:10 , Graig Graziosi

Welcome to the live blog

Monday 20 November 2023 17:07 , Graig Graziosi

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog.

Winter weather and severe storms threaten to disrupt millions of Americans traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday this week.

Severe storms were forecasted for the Gulf coast south on Monday. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and snow are expected to blow across the central US, through the Midwest, and into the northeast on Tuesday. Forecasters believe the severe weather will weaken on Wednesday, making way for an otherwise clear Thanksgiving Day in much of the US.

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These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

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The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

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Flights to Moscow - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to moscow to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., how many airports are there in moscow, there are 4 airports in moscow: moscow sheremetyevo airport (svo), moscow vnukovo airport (vko), moscow domodedovo airport (dme) and moscow zhukovsky airport (zia). the busiest airport is moscow sheremetyevo airport (svo), with 47% of all flights arriving there., how long is the flight to moscow, the duration of your flight to moscow depends on your departure and arrival airports. obviously any flights that include a layover will also be longer. the most popular routes to moscow on kayak are from boston , which takes 11h 50m, san francisco , which takes 19h 20m, los angeles , which takes 20h 30m, and new york , which takes 22h 15m., how many long-haul flights are there to moscow each week, each week there are around 281 long-haul flights (6-12 hour flight duration), 1,421 medium-haul (3-6 hour flight duration) and 3,061 short-haul (up to 3 hour flight duration) flights to moscow. the most long-haul flights depart from beijing., when to book flights to moscow, faqs - booking moscow flights, what are the stopover options for the us to moscow flights.

The stopover options for the US flights to Moscow depend on your airline, departure city, and arrival airport. If you're flying with Turkish Airlines from New York, expect layovers in Istanbul, Bodrum, and Antalya. United Airlines, British Airways, EI AI, Azerbaijan Airlines, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and Emirates offer flights from New York to DME with common layovers in Tel Aviv-Yafo, London, Baku, Vienna, Zurich, and Amsterdam respectively. Flights from Los Angeles have common layovers in New York, Frankfurt, Dubai, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Vienna.

Which US airports offer flights from the US to Moscow?

If you’re looking to fly to Moscow from the US, you will be happy to know that several US airports offer these flights. You can get flights from the US to Moscow from Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), and Atlanta (ATL) among others.

Does Sheremetyevo International Airport offer accessible services?

Yes. SVO is an accessible airport with management that strives to ensure that all passengers traveling through the airport get full access to its programs and services. The airport’s terminals are well configured to provide easy access for passengers with reduced mobility. SVO also offers accessible restrooms throughout its terminals. Disabled travelers are welcome to use Saturn Lounge in Terminal D or Sirius Lounge for passengers flying from Terminals D, E, and F.

How can I access the lounges at Moscow Vnukovo International Airport?

Art Lounge is near Gate 23 on the Second Floor of Terminal A. The lounge admits passengers on in-transit or international flights only and remains open for 24 hours. You can access the lounge through a pass or membership programs. Fountain Lounge is in the food court area on the Second Floor of Terminal A and admits passengers on membership programs. You can access Top Lounge through membership programs. The lounge is near Gate 21 on the Third Floor of Terminal A. Prokofiev Premier and Tchaikovsky Lounge admit travelers through membership programs. Prokofiev is near Gate 13 in Terminal A while the latter is on the International Airside of the same terminal.

What shopping options are available at the Moscow airports?

Travelers looking to shop while in Moscow need not go any further than the airports, as both airports have a wide range of options from fashion to jewelry and souvenirs. Popular shops in Sheremetyevo International Airport include Red Machine, Yarmarka, and Swarovski. For Domodedovo International Airport, Natura Siberica, Consul, and Frey Wille are all great stores to take a peek at.

What restaurant options are there at the Moscow airports?

Just as the shopping options were extensive at both airports, the dining is the same. For Sheremetyevo International Airport, consider paying a visit to Kolbasny Tsekh and Mama Russia. If you are flying into Domodedovo International Airport, Uzbechka and Edim Letim are sure to satisfy.

What facilities are available for children and families at Moscow’s airports?

In Sheremetyevo International Airport, travelers will be happy to note that there is a children’s play area in Terminal D. There are also mother-and-child rooms that feature play areas, showers, and couches for young children and their mothers. As for Domodedovo International Airport, there are two children’s play areas located at the International and Domestic Terminals.

How do I get from Domodedovo International Airport to downtown Moscow?

Fortunately for travelers, Domodedovo International Airport is very well-connected to downtown Moscow. If you are just in town for a visit, likely the cheapest and most convenient way to get into town is the Aeroexpress. Aside from the Aeroexpress, however, there are also bus, shuttle and taxi options available.

Which Moscow airport is closest to central Moscow?

There are 4 major airports in Moscow. The nearest airport from Moscow city center is Moscow Vnukovo (17 miles), followed by Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (18 miles), Moscow Zhukovsky (25 miles), and Moscow Domodedovo Airport (25 miles).

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Moscow?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Moscow.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Moscow?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Moscow is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Moscow?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Moscow with an airline and back with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Moscow?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Moscow up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Which airline offers the most flights to Moscow?

Of the 18 airlines that fly to Moscow, Aeroflot offers the most flights, with around 1,610 per week, followed by Pobeda with 452 flights per week.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Moscow

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Moscow flight deals.
• Moscow Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) consists of two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal D. The former is the main terminal that serves most international and domestic flights. Terminal D mostly serves flights arriving from North Caucasus. The terminals are a short walk from each other as they are adjacent and are connected by walkways.
• Passengers arriving at Moscow Domodedovo International Airport (MDE) can utilize the airport’s shower facilities to freshen up before leaving the airport. Showers are available in the Left Wing of the International Arrivals Area.
• Passengers looking to explore MDE luggage-free are welcome to leave their luggage at the airport’s storage lockers. You can find the lockers Landslide of the International Arrivals Area and on the Ground Floor of the Domestic Arrivals.
• Gadget-totting travelers can charge their devices at MDE. The airport offers stand-alone charging stations in every waiting lounge. You can also rent battery chargers from the Left Luggage room.
• Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is completely smoke-free in the terminals. However, the airport offers designated smoking pavilions to accommodate smoking passengers. The smoking pavilions are outside at the terminals’ entrances.
• For flights to Moscow, travelers have four different airports to choose from: Domodedovo International Airport (DME), Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), and Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA). However, most travelers will be flying into either Domodedovo International Airport or Sheremetyevo International Airport, as they are by far the most popular of the four airports.
• Getting from Sheremetyevo International Airport to downtown Moscow is simple, thanks to the Aeroexpress, which connects directly to both Belorussky Railway Terminal and Okruzhnaya station. From either station, you can head to a number of locations across Moscow in no time.
• Looking to head straight to the hotel after your flight to Moscow? If you are landing at Sheremetyevo International Airport, the Novotel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Hotel is within walking distance of the airport’s terminals. For Domodedovo International Airport, on the other hand, there is the Domodedovo AirHotel, which is located just half a mile away from the airport and offers free transfers to and from the airport.
• If you need to get between Domodedovo International Airport and Sheremetyevo International Airport, your best bet is to take a combination of the Aeroexpress and the Moscow Metro. There is even a special “Between Airports” ticket available for purchase at the Aeroexpress ticket office.
• Got a few hours to spare at Sheremetyevo International Airport? Why not stop off at the Aero-beauty hair salon for a cut, trim, or maybe even a dye? Another option is to spend some time at the History Museum of Sheremetyevo, which has several unique exhibitions on the history of the airport.

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By Sarah Lyall

No sooner had British Airways Flight 9240 roared into the air over Heathrow Airport than the cabin air was pierced by a sharp, scary noise, like an alarm or a siren. The power surged and then seemed to falter, and the plane became worryingly quiet. (Too quiet?)

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What was it? Images of catastrophic scenarios — birds, engine failure, parts falling off, total systemic breakdown — pinballed through the passengers’ imaginations as the plane seemed to struggle to find its equilibrium. Unease gripped the cabin. But then a disembodied voice wafted soothingly over the public-address system. “Everything’s normal,” the voice said. “The plane is fine.”

This emotional roller coaster of a flight, a 35-minute loop in the air that started and finished at Heathrow, was the culmination of the airline’s “Flying With Confidence” course , aimed at people who are afraid to fly — the lightly nervous as well as the abjectly terrified.

The course includes a deep dive into the mechanics and operation of an airplane. There’s also a section on how pilots are trained to deal with various scenarios — including cabin depressurization, malfunctioning landing gear, holes in the fuselage and sudden gusts of wind on the runway that force what is called a “go-around” — when a pilot suddenly aborts the landing and sends the plane barreling straight back into the sky. The day ends when the attendees — or at least those who didn’t leave early — board an actual plane for a real-life flight.

As many as 40 percent of all airline passengers have at least mild apprehension about flying, experts say, and people with serious aviophobia fall roughly into two groups. About 20 percent have “an underlying anxiety that manifests as fear of flying,” said Douglas Boyd, an aviation researcher who runs a fear-of-flying course in Houston . Another 70 to 75 percent, he said, “think that something bad will happen to the plane — there will be a fire, the engine will fall off, the pilot is drunk, it’s going to crash.” (The rest have a hybrid of worries.)

Flying is objectively low-risk, and 2023 was the safest year for jet travel ever, according to the International Air Transport Association . But fear of flying hardly seems irrational, what with reports of aircraft malfunctions, overworked air traffic controllers and the sense that climate change is making turbulence worse .

For instance: On Jan. 5, a door plug — a door-sized panel on the side of an aircraft — blew off the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines jet as it made its ascent, depressurizing the cabin and exposing passengers to open air thousands of feet above ground. Also in January, five members of the Japanese Coast Guard were killed when their plane collided with a Japanese Airlines jet on a Tokyo runway and both planes burst into flames. (Everyone — 367 passengers and 12 crew members — on the Japanese Airlines flight survived.) Boeing, the manufacturer of the Alaska Airlines plane and other planes that have experienced various mishaps, has faced particular criticism for neglecting safety .

Such incidents loom large in the heads of passengers, but Mr. Boyd said that people tend to ignore how rare they are. “You have to look at objective measurements,” he said. “In the last 15 years we’ve had only two fatal accidents with a U.S. carrier, and that speaks volumes.” (Those were when a Continental Airlines flight crashed into a house in Buffalo in 2009 , killing 50 people, and when a window blew out after an engine exploded on a Southwest Airlines flight in 2018, killing a passenger who was partly sucked out of the plane.)

Nobody wants to go through a flight racked with fear or beset by emotional upheaval, and airlines have an obvious interest in calm, unterrified passengers. A number of airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa and Virgin, offer fear-of-flying programs, but B.A.’s has been operating for more than 35 years and is considered the most well-established.

I — an occasionally nervous-in-turbulence but not prohibitively terrified flyer — joined an October session, paying the fee of 395 British pounds, or about $508.

My fellow attendees represented a spectrum of ages and professions and suffered from a range of anxieties.

Duncan Phillips, a high school science teacher, said that he had not set foot on a plane since his honeymoon, two decades earlier. Imogen Corrigan, a medieval history lecturer, said that she had a “generalized dread of the whole airport experience,” exacerbated by a traumatic flight some years earlier in which her seatmate, incorrectly interpreting the plane’s post-takeoff noises as systemic engine failure, rose to her feet and yelled, “We’re not going up!”

And a 28-year-old man who asked that his name not be used because he works at Buckingham Palace said that his problem was claustrophobia — he once got trapped in an elevator — but that he was committed to overcoming it. “I just don’t want to be afraid anymore,” he said.

Listening to the captain

Standing onstage in a conference room at a hotel at Heathrow and using props like slides, a plastic plane and a replica of a human ear to explain how airplanes work, Capt. Steve Allright, the B.A. pilot who led the program, provided his go-to anti-anxiety tip.

“I want you to breathe out for four seconds and then breathe in, while squeezing your largest muscles — your buttocks,” he said. “What you’re doing is taking control of your mind and your racing thoughts. Don’t sit and suffer. Breathe and squeeze.”

(Yes, Captain Allright has seen the film “Airplane!” in which Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Peter Graves play two pilots whose names — Roger Murdock and Clarence Oveur — lead to “Who’s on First”-style amusement when their colleagues bark “Roger, Roger!” and “Over, Oveur!” at them. Captain Allright knows that his name, too, sounds fictional. It is not.)

He invited the group to identify its specific worries. “How many of you have not flown for more than 20 years, or never flown?” he asked. “How many are regular business travelers, and it’s getting worse? Mums and dads who had children and it suddenly made them aware of their own mortality?”

He peered into the crowd. “Who doesn’t like the takeoff?” he added. “Who doesn’t like the landing and — everyone’s favorite — who doesn’t like the turbulence?”

One person raised her hand for all the categories.

Among the points made by Captain Allright and his team:

The wings of planes can’t just snap off.

The plane has sufficient stores of fuel and will not suddenly run out of gas. “Those Hollywood scenes where they’re circling around yelling that they’re going to run out of fuel and the plane is going to ‘land on fumes,’” Captain Allright said, “that’s not going to happen.”

The thing that sounds like the engines have suddenly ceased functioning after takeoff? It’s an auditory illusion created by the reduction in power after the plane becomes airborne; the plane needs more power to take off and less power when it gets into the air.

Those movies in which pilots are “wrestling with the controls and sweating profusely during turbulence” are totally fake, Captain Allright said. “Turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous.”

When you hear a strange beeping noise in the cabin, it is not a secret pilots’ signal meaning that “we have an emergency, but don’t tell the passengers.” In fact, “all airplanes make different noises,” Captain Allright said, and what you’re hearing could well be something like the “barking dog noise” that people say they hear on some Airbus jets, attributable to the planes’ hydraulics.

No pilot would ever unlock the cockpit door and let in a bunch of hijackers, even if the hijackers were threatening to kill the flight attendant with whom the pilot was having an affair, as in the TV series “Hijack,” starring Idris Elba.

The presentation seemed to allay some of the passengers’ fears. Charlotte Wheeler, an agricultural company executive still spooked by a childhood in which her acutely phobic mother would drink to excess and become obstreperous and hysterical on flights, said she appreciated Captain Allright’s willingness to journey through the weeds of her apprehension.

“That whole ‘wings not snapping off’ thing was amazing,” she said. “And I appreciated what he said about the fuel not running out.”

Ms. Corrigan, the lecturer, said she was particularly soothed by Captain Allright’s discussion of “the bit where they’ve just taken off and you don’t think it’s going to make it.”

B.A. 9240 is boarding

The hard-news presentation was followed by a segment on fear, anxiety reduction and relaxation led by a psychologist, Dr. Jan Smith. But, eventually, it was time to get on the plane, minus several unnerved people who left during the lunch break and never came back. Divided into small groups, each led by a B.A. employee in a high-visibility orange vest, the remaining passengers moved tentatively through the airport terminal. The boarding passes listed the destination as “Fictitious Point,” because the plane was both departing from and returning to Heathrow.

There was a brief setback. The first passengers boarded, only to find that they had to get off because an unspecified glitch had failed to register their existence when they scanned their boarding passes.

“This is not good,” one passenger said.

“Is this part of the course?” said another. “I have a fear of stampedes.”

Several people fretted by the door and failed to board the plane. One woman successfully got on but quickly got off, sobbing. “I’m sorry,” she said.

Everyone else took their seats: 120 customers intermingled with about 20 B.A. personnel, pilots and psychologists whose job was to provide emotional and occasionally physical support at this most delicate part of the day. People were hyperventilating, reciting inspirational mantras, folding into themselves and, in several cases, openly crying. A woman in the front row cranked up her headphones and tried to distract herself with the Lee Child thriller “No Plan B.”

“I really, really don’t like being up in the air,” she said.

The plane took off and the power surged on and then ratcheted down, as Captain Allright had explained. The collective anxiety level rose to 11. “Everything’s normal,” he said. “The speed is stable. The pilots are happy and relaxed. This would be a good time to do your breathing and squeezing.”

The plane flew around for a bit as he talked through the sights and sounds — the Millennium Dome, Gatwick Airport, the London Eye, the wing flaps, a little chirping noise signifying that autopilot had been switched off.

“That means that Nigel’s now controlling the aircraft manually,” Captain Allright said, referring to the pilot, Capt. Nigel Willing, who was at the controls and who, yes, has another name that sounds like he’s a character in a movie. “It’s perfectly normal. Let’s all make a conscious decision to squeeze our buttocks.”

As the plane began its descent, some of the passengers, genuinely amazed that they had made it this far, took proof-of-flight photos out the window.

“I’m just glad I didn’t throw up,” the “No Plan B” reader said. “I could really use a cigarette.”

The plane came to a stop and Idris Guest, an IT worker who had not been in the air since a horrific 2016 experience involving turbulence and a flight attendant with a bleeding head wound, pronounced himself if not cured, then at least not in a fetal position.

He vowed to fly again. “I’m on a massive high,” he said.

“Everything’s normal,” Captain Allright said. “Give yourself a round of applause, people.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Read by Sarah Lyall

Audio produced by Sarah Diamond .

Sarah Lyall is a writer at large for The Times, writing news, features and analysis across a wide range of sections. More about Sarah Lyall

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Plan your visit to moscow.

Moscow is an amazing city with colorful cathedrals, famous landmarks and a hint of modern influences. When you visit this majestic city, you will see some of the world's most beautiful architectural masterpieces. If you're looking for cheap flights to Moscow, visit Orbitz.com, where you can get a great deal every day.

Major Airports

Russia is a large country with many airports, and three of them are located within an hour of Moscow. When you arrive, you will likely land at Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport or Vnukovo International Airport. Sheremetyevo is about 35 minutes from downtown, and you can take the city bus to town for 28 to 70 rubles. Domodedovo is about 45 minutes from the city, and you can take a train, bus, shuttle or taxi to Moscow from this location. Vnukovo is about 30 minutes southwest of the downtown area. It is the third-busiest airport in the country and handles more than 9 million passengers annually. Board the Aeroexpress Train for the fastest service into the city.

Enjoying Moscow

The weather in Moscow varies greatly by season. Summer highs can soar into the upper 90s and hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter lows fall below freezing. April and October see pleasant temperatures in the 70s and 80s, so this is a great time to visit. Even the warmest months can have chilly evenings, so bring a sweater or jacket, even in the summer. Winter travelers will need to pack a heavy coat and plenty of warm clothing. St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the city's must-see attractions. This amazing structure was built for Ivan the Terrible in the 1500s and is regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Located in the city's center, Red Square is an ideal place to begin your exploration. From there, explore the Kremlin and other historic sights. Before you head home, stop by the Bolshoi Theatre and see the world-famous Russian ballet dancers perform.

Book Your Tickets

Save time and money with the help of Orbitz.com. You can find a wealth of information to help you plan a successful trip and cheap flights to Moscow. Moscow is an enchanting city with stunning views and breathtaking scenery. No matter when you visit, you are sure to enjoy everything this great city has to offer.

Moscow When to Go

June, July, and August are the most crowded months in Moscow, and getting into popular attractions like the Kremlin can be difficult. It’s worth braving the crowds, though, to see the golden domes, bright white bell tower, intricate Fabergé eggs, and the rest of the impressive complex. There are sure to be crowds in Red Square during the summer, too, but you can’t miss St. Basil’s fairytale-like Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the fanciful Kazan Cathedral, and the popular, upscale GUM shopping mall. Keep an eye on the forecast. Temperatures in summer reach into the 90s and it’s the rainiest period in Moscow.

Spring is shoulder season in Moscow, as well as a pretty time to visit. The flowers around the city come into bloom. To celebrate the end of a long winter, Maslenitsa, a religious and folk holiday, ushers in the new season with pancake feasts, traditional (and friendly!) fist fighting, bonfires, and other celebrations. Temperatures warm up to the 50s and 60s during the day, so enjoy a visit to one of Moscow’s many parks; there are almost 300 square feet of parks per person here. Kolomenskoye is a nice one, with a beautiful church that dates back to 1532.

Tourists are in shorter supply during the winter due to Moscow’s notorious cold, but if you enjoy a snowy landscape, pack some warm boots and go. The Russian Winter Festival at the end of December and beginning of January is a fun way to celebrate the best of the season—troika rides, ice hockey games, snowmen, and plenty of warm tea. Especially in winter, make use of the (heated) Metro public transit. Many of the underground stations feature art, including statues, stained glass windows, mosaics, and chandeliers.

Frequently asked questions

• Turkish Airlines - 380 flights to Moscow per month
• Azur Air - 136 flights to Moscow per month
• Flydubai - 105 flights to Moscow per month
• Consider other airports to save cash. Enter your preferred departure and arrival airports in the form fields, then select the ‘Nearby airports’ function below. It will list the available options.
• If your plans aren’t cast in stone, click on the ‘Show flexible dates’ link to check out the flight deals for a selection of departure dates. You may find an even better fare.
• You can also hit the ‘Show options’ link to filter results for your preferred airline, seating class, nonstop flights and refundable flights. Under ‘Sort & Filter’ to the left, you can even pick the time of day you’d like to fly.
• Book your fare as soon as you’ve sorted your travel dates. While it does happen from time to time, airfares rarely fall in price as your date of departure approaches.
• Make big savings on your vacation by bundling your flights, hotels and car rentals into one handy package. Your credit card will thank you for it.
• Where possible, don’t fly in the most popular seasons. Airfares soar during school breaks, summer and other vacation periods like Easter and Thanksgiving.
• St. Petersburg (LED-Pulkovo) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 1 hour and 28 minutes
• Sochi (AER-Sochi Intl.) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 4 hours
• Yekaterinburg (SVX-Koltsovo) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 2 hours and 39 minutes
• In all cases you’ll need some identification. How much? This depends on where you’re traveling to and from. When reserving your flight tickets, we suggest to put down the same name, birth date and gender as shown on your government-issued ID.
• If you’re flying direct to Moscow, chances are you’re going to be airborne for quite a while. Pack lots of snacks and things to keep you busy. Now is the perfect time to get stuck into that book you’ve been eager to read!
• Cabin temperatures are often chilly enough to give you goose bumps. Carry an extra warm layer even if you’re vacationing during the height of summer.
• Flexibility isn’t just useful for your yoga. Have some room to move around your travel dates so you can snap up more affordable airfares when they pop up.
• Budget airlines offer first or business-class seats at a fraction of the usual cost. Skip the full-service carriers and consider these cheaper options.
• Make the most of your airline’s frequent flyer program and use points to upgrade your seat. You can also bid for an upgrade in an online auction if available.
• Slip on a pair of comfy sneakers and tour this bustling city on foot. There are many awesome attractions to make your way to, such as Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.
• You’ll discover rewarding day trips a quick drive from the center of town. Tour Moscow State University first and then find time for Crocus Expo Center.
• Love to find out what else Moscow has to offer? Organize a car rental and hotfoot it to Dmitrov or Sergiyev Posad. With your own vehicle, exploring those harder-to-find destinations will also be easy.

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Airports Near Moscow

• Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)
• Vnukovo Intl. Airport (VKO)
• Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA)

Fare, taxes & fees:  Fares include all taxes and fees, except baggage fees. Rates shown reflect fares found by other Orbitz users over the past 7 days. Due to rapidly changing airline prices & seat availability, these fares may no longer be available.

Refunds/changes/cancellations:  Itinerary changes, if permitted for the fare, will have a $30 service fee charged by Orbitz. Additional airline charges may apply.

Other conditions:  Schedules, fares and rules are subject to change without notice. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights/dates or in all markets. Lower fares may be available. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly/partially unused ticket. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Fare rules are provided for the selected itinerary before booking.

• Anniston/Gadsden

This airline’s checked bag fees will depend on the day

• Published: Apr. 08, 2024, 8:28 a.m.

JetBlue planes, each with distinctive tail art, are seen at the JetBlue terminal at Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. The Plain Dealer

• Shauna Stuart | [email protected]

If you fly JetBlue, get ready for baggage fees that vary with the day of departure.

According to a report from CNN , the price of a first checked bag now ranges from $35 to $50 under a recently revealed fee structure that depends on a number of factors, including dates JetBlue determines to be peak or off-peak. The airline is giving flyers a $10 discount if they add a checked bag during booking and at least 24 hours before check-in, with prices ranging from $35 for off-peak dates and $40 for peak dates.

So far, the airline defines “peak dates” as most of the busy summer travel season as well as dates before and after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in 2024. For 2025, according to CNN, the dates range from mid-February (Valentine’s Day and President’s Day) and most of April for spring break and Easter. Full dates are listed on the Jet Blue website. If a customer checks a bag within 24 hours of departure, the price jumps to $45 for off-peak dates and an industry high of $50 for peak dates.

In a statement to CNN, the airline attributed the rise in baggage fees to increased wages, higher fuel costs, and loss of profits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we don’t like increasing fees, we are making these adjustments to help get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs,” the carrier said.

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Flights to Moscow, Russia

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How much is the cheapest flight to Moscow?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $560 for one-way flights and $586 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Find Your Flights to Moscow MOW

Cheap flights to Moscow ( MOW)

Get started finding a cheap flight to Moscow on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

We recommend using the ‘Flexible Dates’ calendar at the top of the page to see the price of plane tickets on the surrounding dates. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Moscow.

Roundtrip prices range from $586 - $2,501, and one-ways to Moscow start as low as $560.

Be aware that choosing a non-stop flight can sometimes be more expensive while saving you time. And routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

Airlines that fly to Moscow ( MOW)

You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to Moscow. There are 9 airlines flying into MOW: Egyptair, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Air Serbia, Royal Air Maroc, Emirates, Turkish Airlines. 

Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. It’s best to understand the details of each airline’s offer before judging its value.

For example, if you plan to check a bag or bring a carry-on, check whether the cheap airfare deal includes a baggage allowance. If not, verify whether the baggage fee is higher than the difference of other airline plane ticket deals offering free checked/carry-on baggage in exchange for a slightly higher airfare. 

Additionally, your preferred frequent flyer membership programs may influence your choice of cheap airline. Expedia allows you to enter your membership numbers during checkout to earn points from your airline and Expedia Rewards—all while getting a great deal and planning all your travel in one online platform.

Find the best deals

At Expedia, we source many flight deals from multiple providers, so you can easily find the best deals that are right for you. A great strategy for getting the best deals can be to make sure you book and travel at the optimal times. Airfare to Moscow (MOW) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You’ll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to MOW in April and in April for one-ways.

Cancellation & flexibility

To change or cancel eligible flights, go to ‘My Trips’ and navigate to your itinerary. If you booked within the last 24-hours, you might be able to cancel your flight for free. Learn more about flight changes or cancellations from our customer service portal . Some plane tickets are available with no change fees, which you can filter for during your search.

Frequently asked questions

• Flying can be a stress-free experience if you bring the right things. Firstly, you’ll want a few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh change of clothes and a good book. Next, find room in your carry-on bag for your phone and charger, medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, remember to bring your passport, travel papers and your bank cards.
• Double-check that you don’t have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).
• Comfort should always be your priority when picking what to wear during your flight. Consider your footwear with care too, as swollen ankles and feet are a common side effect of flying. Shoes which are flat and slightly roomy work well.
• The condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity. Walking around the cabin and doing regular leg and foot exercises while seated is a great way to prevent this happening. Wearing a high-quality pair of compression socks also helps reduce the risk.
• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you’re allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets must also go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you’re less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked luggage. They won’t be allowed in the cabin.

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Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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