Thanksgiving travel rush begins with snowy weather threatening the Northeast

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The Thanksgiving travel rush has commenced, with the added challenge of snowy weather threatening the Northeast. Approximately 2.7 million individuals are anticipated to take to the skies on Wednesday, with millions more planning to hit the road for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Airline authorities express confidence in their ability to prevent the major disruptions that have marred previous holiday seasons, such as the Southwest Airlines debacle during last Christmas. However, the presence of heavy rain and snow showers along the East Coast poses the potential for delays. The National Weather Service has forecasted the accumulation of snow in northern New England on Wednesday, with northern Maine expecting up to 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) of snowfall. Additionally, snowfall is predicted in the northern Rocky Mountains on Thanksgiving Day, potentially bringing up to 1 foot of snow to parts of Wyoming by Friday.

As of Wednesday morning, U.S. airports have reported merely nine flight cancellations and 260 flight delays, according to FlightAware. Airlines have bolstered their workforce over the past couple of years, and Southwest Airlines, in particular, has invested in additional winter equipment to ensure the smooth operation of flights even in sub-freezing temperatures.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for a significant influx of travelers, expecting to screen 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday and a record-breaking 2.9 million on Sunday. This surge in holiday travel will also put the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the test, given previous air traffic controller shortages that led to flight reductions in the New York City area during the summer and fall.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on Monday that the government has taken steps to prepare for holiday travel, including the hiring of more air traffic controllers, the establishment of new air routes along the East Coast, and the provision of grants to airports for snowplows and deicing equipment.

Meanwhile, AAA forecasts that 55.4 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Wednesday and Sunday, marking the third-highest estimate ever recorded by the auto club. Of those, 49.1 million individuals are expected to travel by car.

For drivers, there’s some relief in gasoline prices compared to last year, with the nationwide average down to $3.28 per gallon on Wednesday, compared to $3.63 a year ago. Air travelers will also enjoy lower prices, as October airfares were down 13% from the previous year, and Thanksgiving fares have been approximately 14% lower, according to Hopper, a travel website.

Nevertheless, the burden of high costs in areas like rent, food, and healthcare continues to influence people’s travel plans. Many, like Jason McQueary, a 25-year-old social worker and graduate student, are relying on strategies such as credit card points to make travel more affordable. McQueary shared his experience, having reduced the cost of his roundtrip flight from Denver to Chicago from $450 to $150 through credit card points, emphasizing the challenges of managing expenses in today’s economic landscape.

Erin Hooley, a photographer for Big Big News, contributed to this report from Chicago.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Thanksgiving Travel

More about Thanksgiving Travel

• Thanksgiving Travel Tips: AAA provides tips and information on Thanksgiving travel.
• National Weather Service: Check weather updates and forecasts from the National Weather Service.
• FlightAware: Track flight cancellations and delays with FlightAware.
• U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s Announcement: Read about the government’s preparations for holiday travel as announced by Secretary Buttigieg.
• Hopper Travel Site: Find airfare information and trends on the Hopper travel site.