The turbulence caused by the longest government shutdown on record may still be on travelers’ minds this Thanksgiving, but experts say that preparing for the usual challenges of winter weather, heavy traffic, and crowded airports can help ease those concerns.
“I think the shutdown at this point is history for air travel. The airlines understand this time of year so well. They know exactly what they need to do,” said Sheldon H. Jacobson, an airport and airline operations expert. “The real challenge is making sure travelers can help themselves.”
Below is a guide to navigating the busiest travel week of the year.
How Busy Could It Be?
Travel forecasts point to exceptionally packed airports and roadways.
A week after lifting the unprecedented flight restrictions imposed during the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving week in 15 years, with more than 360,000 flights scheduled between Monday and next Tuesday. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17.8 million passengers during that period.
AAA projects that 1.3 million more travelers will take to the roads compared with last year, bringing the total number of Thanksgiving drivers to at least 73 million.
Winter Weather
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are if a winter storm disrupts your plans. If your flight is canceled or delayed, will you drive instead? Postpone the trip? Cancel altogether? Understanding your options ahead of time can help lower stress if severe weather leaves you stranded.
James Belanger, vice president of meteorology at The Weather Company, recommends checking the forecast frequently throughout your planning process.
The Weather Channel provides a Thanksgiving week forecast highlighting airports and highways that could be affected by snow, ice, or rain, along with a free online tool showing how weather may impact your travel route.
On Tuesday—expected to be the FAA’s busiest travel day, with more than 52,000 flights scheduled—forecasters predict rain could cause problems in the Pacific Northwest and much of the eastern United States. Major airports that could see delays include Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
What to Pack (and What to Skip)
Jacobson, whose research contributed to the creation of TSA PreCheck, advises starting your packing by unpacking. Check every pocket and compartment of your luggage to make sure TSA-restricted items, such as full-sized liquids, aren’t left over from previous trips. This quick check can help speed up your time in security lines.
If you’re bringing gifts, he recommends waiting to wrap them until you reach your destination, as TSA agents may need to inspect them.
When choosing clothes and shoes, Belanger suggests checking the “feels like” temperature in your destination for a more accurate sense of how cold it might be—especially if you’re not used to winter weather.
Also remember: A REAL ID is required to fly within the United States. If you don’t have one, you’ll need another approved form of identification, such as a passport or military ID.
iPhone users can now add U.S. passport details to Apple Wallet, which can be scanned at participating airports. More than a dozen states also accept some form of mobile ID at TSA checkpoints. Travelers can check the TSA website for the most up-to-date details.
Road Trip Ready
Whether driving is your first choice or your backup plan, AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz recommends checking your tires, battery, and fluids before hitting the road—and starting your trip with a full tank of gas. Last year, AAA responded to nearly 600,000 roadside emergencies during the Thanksgiving travel period, assisting drivers stranded by flat tires, dead batteries, and empty tanks.
According to Google Maps:
- Wednesday traffic is expected to be 14% heavier than usual between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the worst congestion from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- On Thanksgiving Day, the busiest travel window is noon to 3 p.m.
- For the return trip, avoid traveling from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, when traffic is at its peak.
The Best Passenger
“…is an informed passenger,” Jacobson likes to say.
Download your airline’s app to monitor your flight status, and check it often as your travel day approaches. If your flight is canceled the day before, you’ll be able to find alternatives faster.
Whether flying or driving, leave earlier than you think you need to. Giving yourself extra time can help offset nerves—whether from lingering shutdown-related anxiety, winter travel stress, or traveling with young children or companions who need extra assistance.
“These are some very simple things to think about, but they’re important things to think about,” Jacobson said.
