Thanksgiving 2025: Best and worst times to travel for the holiday

The 2025 Thanksgiving holiday period anticipates an unprecedented surge in air travel, with the American Automobile Association (AAA) projecting approximately 6 million domestic air travelers. This figure represents a 2% increase from the previous year, contributing to an overall holiday travel forecast of nearly 82 million people journeying at least 50 miles from home between November 25 and December 1.

Commercial airlines and airports are bracing for peak congestion, with the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving identified as the busiest days for departures and return flights, respectively. Major carriers like American Airlines and United Airlines specifically expect Sunday, November 30, to be their most crowded day. Key US airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Charlotte Douglas, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Denver International are projected to experience the highest traffic volumes during this period.

Despite the overall increase in air travel, flight bookings between November 26 and November 30 saw a 3.3% decrease, largely attributed to a recent US government shutdown. However, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly lifted all commercial flight restrictions following the shutdown's conclusion, mitigating further impact. Travelers are advised that Thanksgiving Day itself typically presents the least crowded flying conditions.

Adding another layer of complexity, a significant cross-country storm is forecast to disrupt travel plans in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. The National Weather Service (US agency) has cautioned travelers to closely monitor weather forecasts and plan accordingly, as severe weather could impact air operations across various regions, particularly from the Southern Plains through the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast.