UPDATE: This Thanksgiving is shaping up to be the busiest travel season in 15 years, with tens of thousands expected to fly out of upstate New York airports. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this surge in travel comes just a week after unprecedented flight restrictions were lifted nationwide.
Travelers are urged to prepare, as airports are returning to full capacity. Matt Hunter, director of communications at Albany International Airport, stated, “Our busiest days are today, Wednesday, and Sunday, with over 5,000 passengers departing each day.”
Among the more than 17.8 million Americans taking to the skies is Jason Frazier and his family, who are navigating busy travel schedules. “I originally wanted to go a day earlier, but they didn’t have available flights,” Frazier explained. “We’re leaving Saturday instead of Sunday to avoid any potential delays on the way back from Fort Worth.”
On the ground, AAA predicts that at least 73 million drivers will be hitting the roads this Thanksgiving, which is an increase of 1.3 million compared to last year. This surge is impacting travelers like Gina Martino Trubites, who is driving to the nation’s capital. “It’s a really nice drive,” she noted. “By the time you deal with the airport, it’s so crazy.”
Travelers like Tiffany Riefstahl have their own plans as they head to Massachusetts and Connecticut. Calling herself a “passenger princess,” Riefstahl plans to keep her children entertained during the journey. “I would rather have people come to my house, but we moved away from family, so it makes sense for us to go where everyone else is,” she said.
As travel ramps up, experts emphasize the importance of being aware of surroundings and checking weather conditions. With so many people on the move, safety remains a top priority.
As the holiday approaches, travelers are encouraged to stay informed and plan ahead to ensure smooth journeys. Keep an eye on the skies and the roads, as this Thanksgiving is poised to break records in both air and land travel. Stay tuned for further updates as the holiday rush unfolds.
