Travel Tips
U.S. Airlines are Gearing Up for Thanksgiving Travel
November 20, 2025
It’s shaping up to be another record-breaking Thanksgiving travel season, and U.S. airlines are ready to get you home for the holidays.
A4A projects U.S. airlines will fly 31 million passengers over the Thanksgiving travel period (Nov. 21 through Dec. 1) – an all-time high! Carriers will offer 45,000 more seats each day than they did last year to meet this demand.
“We’re all looking forward to having Thanksgiving dinner with our loved ones this year, and U.S. airlines are ready to get you there,” said A4A’s SVP of Communications, Rebecca Spicer. “Our carriers have been preparing for months for the travel rush, and we’re extremely thankful for the one million U.S. airline workers who will make sure you’ll get home safely.”
When planning for your Thanksgiving trip, here’s some tips to keep in mind:
Download your airline’s mobile app: Be sure your carrier’s app is on your phone! Carriers have been making significant investments in their technologies, making these apps the best way to receive updates about your travel plans.
Allow plenty of time: Airports across the country are going to be busy, with the busiest travel days this year expected to be Sunday Nov. 30 and Monday Dec. 1. Make sure you allow plenty of time if you are hailing a taxi or using a ride share company, especially if you are heading to the airport early in the morning or late at night.
Pack snacks and an empty water bottle: Be prepared by packing a snack and taking an empty water bottle that you can fill after you go through the security checkpoint.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck: If you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, make sure the TSA checkmark is on your boarding pass for a faster and smoother experience at the security checkpoint.
Carry-On Kindness: We’re all excited to go home for the holidays, but travel can be stressful at times. We encourage our passengers to pack their patience and carry-on kindness by thanking the hard-working men and women at the airport and on the plane who will be getting you home. A little act of kindness can go a long way.