Thanksgiving travel in the United States kicked off with record-breaking numbers as millions of Americans took to airports, roads, and cruise ships ahead of the holiday.
The day before Thanksgiving, traditionally one of the busiest travel days, is expected to see an unprecedented surge in passenger volume.
On Tuesday, approximately 2.7 million passengers passed through airport security checkpoints across the country, marking a historic high for the Tuesday preceding Thanksgiving.
This figure, shared by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), surpasses last year’s record. Industry analysts predict that Wednesday and Sunday, December 1, will each see over 3 million air travelers, according to Airlines for America, an industry trade group.
Weather challenges loom
Travelers may face challenges as winter weather systems threaten to disrupt plans. Portions of the East and West coasts are under winter storm warnings, with the Midwest bracing for extreme cold. Temperatures in some areas are forecast to plummet as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to William Churchill, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.
“Considering the season, the weather isn’t too severe for a winter holiday,” Churchill noted. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that adverse weather and high travel volumes remain the primary causes of flight delays.
Air travel bottlenecks
United Airlines flagged a critical shortage of air traffic controllers at its Newark, New Jersey hub as a significant factor in Tuesday’s disruptions. Nationwide, over 4,800 flights experienced delays, while 82 were canceled, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking platform. To mitigate disruptions, the FAA has planned traffic flow management measures to address staffing gaps.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that a record 80 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the Thanksgiving period. This includes a significant uptick in cruise travel, with cruise companies reporting a 20% increase in passengers.
Royal Caribbean Group announced that nearly its entire fleet will be in operation from November 26 to December 2, accommodating approximately 150,000 passengers. The company’s spokesperson highlighted the strong demand for holiday cruises this season.
