AAA’s annual forecast, released 19 November, predicts 81.8 million U.S. residents will travel 50 miles or more between 25 November and 1 December, topping the previous record set in 2019. About 6 million passengers will fly, while 73 million will drive. Aviation analytics firm Cirium warns that Sunday 30 November will be the busiest air-travel day, with more than 3.2 million domestic seats scheduled.
The surge comes just weeks after a 43-day federal government shutdown forced airlines to cut schedules at 40 airports and furloughed thousands of TSA officers. Airlines say staffing has fully rebounded, but they are urging travelers to arrive early and use touchless ID options to ease security queues.
![Record 81.8 Million Americans—and 6 Million Flyers—Expected for Thanksgiving Travel]()
Business-mobility managers should expect tight seat inventory and higher last-minute fares, especially via hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Remote employees flying home for the holiday may face reimbursement caps if corporate policies have not adjusted for peak-season pricing.
On the roads, traffic-data firm INRIX identifies 25–27 November (Tuesday–Wednesday) and 30 November (Sunday) as gridlock days. Employers with field staff or relocation household-goods moves during the period should build in extra transit time to avoid SLA penalties.
The surge comes just weeks after a 43-day federal government shutdown forced airlines to cut schedules at 40 airports and furloughed thousands of TSA officers. Airlines say staffing has fully rebounded, but they are urging travelers to arrive early and use touchless ID options to ease security queues.
Business-mobility managers should expect tight seat inventory and higher last-minute fares, especially via hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. Remote employees flying home for the holiday may face reimbursement caps if corporate policies have not adjusted for peak-season pricing.
On the roads, traffic-data firm INRIX identifies 25–27 November (Tuesday–Wednesday) and 30 November (Sunday) as gridlock days. Employers with field staff or relocation household-goods moves during the period should build in extra transit time to avoid SLA penalties.
