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U.S. Airlines Project Record Thanksgiving Travel
U.S. airlines expect record Thanksgiving travel: more than 31 million passengers between November 21 and December 1, 2025.
Industry group Airlines for America (A4A) announced the projection, saying carriers will add about 45,000 more seats per day compared with the 2024 Thanksgiving period to meet demand. A4A highlighted November 30 and December 1 as the forecast peak travel days and urged travelers to plan for crowded airports and fuller flights.
While the estimate covers the full Thanksgiving travel window (Nov. 21–Dec. 1, 2025), A4A also called on Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing aviation workers are paid during any future government shutdowns — a move the group says is important for operational stability and safety. The association represents major U.S. carriers and says reliable staffing is essential when passenger volumes spike.
Thanksgiving travel: what to expect
Short lines rarely mean smooth sailing during holiday surges. If you’re flying over the Thanksgiving window, expect longer security lines, busier gate areas and fewer last-minute seat options. Airlines are adding capacity, but that doesn’t eliminate bottlenecks at security checkpoints, bag drops and ground operations.
- Expect record Thanksgiving travel crowds on Nov. 30–Dec. 1; arrive early and prepare for delays.
- Check-in online, use mobile boarding passes, and consider carry‑on only to avoid checked-bag lines.
- Monitor your airline’s app for real-time updates and rebooking options if plans change.
Travelers should also factor in holiday staffing patterns and potential impacts from any federal disruptions; A4A’s plea to lawmakers reflects industry concern that sudden unpaid furloughs for air‑traffic support or airline staff could ripple across the system during peak demand. For now, carriers appear to be adding seats to absorb the surge, but airport crowds are still likely.
In short: plan ahead, expect busy terminals, and keep devices and travel apps handy. The Thanksgiving travel window in late November is shaping up to be the busiest on record for U.S. aviation in 2025.
