WASHINGTON, November 10, 2026 — As millions of Americans prepare to travel for Thanksgiving, Airlines for America (A4A) projects U.S. airlines will carry nearly 29 million passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period (November 20 – 30).

On average, U.S. airlines expect approximately 2.7 million passengers to fly each day over the holiday period. To accommodate this demand, U.S. airlines are offering 38,000 more seats daily, on average, than they did in 2025. The busiest travel days are expected to be Sunday, November 29 and Monday, November 30.

At the same time, U.S. airlines are facing record jet fuel costs. October’s costs eclipsed the previous record set in September, with the jet fuel spot price averaging $4.64 per gallon. While jet fuel prices have jumped significantly, fares have increased more modestly with carriers looking to other options to offset:

• Reducing flight frequencies on some routes
• Retiring older and less fuel-efficient aircraft
• Cutting less profitable routes
• Increasing fees for checked bags

Jet fuel has risen more than 6x the price of airfares since January. Fuel and labor combined account for about 55% of an airline’s operating expenses.

A4A carriers have made significant investments in technology to make sure passengers can stay up to date on flight announcements, baggage tracking, in-flight entertainment and more. A4A’s cargo carriers also offer various tracking technologies to ensure packages make it home for the holidays. Travelers are encouraged to take advantage of these technologies and download their carrier’s app as soon as they purchase a ticket or ship a package.

More industry data is available here.