More Americans than ever before will hit the road, or the airways, for Thanksgiving this year, according to predictions from the American Automobile Association and the Transportation Safety Administration, not only topping last year but also 2019 pre-pandemic numbers.
AAA says it expects about 73 million traveling more than 50 miles from home by car, up from 71.7 last year and 70.6 in 2019. Lower gas prices may be contributing to the rise. The AAA report also says cruise bookings for the vacation period are up 20% over last year.
TSA says it’s ready for the crush, and expects to screen more than 31 million passengers over the November 26-December 1 period. The Tuesday and Wednesday before the actual holiday are likely to be the busiest, with over 3 million passengers. Domestic bookings are strong, but AAA reports a sharp increase in holiday international travel as well.
And for a last number to make you gasp: American Airlines says that at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 1—its “peak of peak”—it will have 1,035 planes in the air across its network.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
