The number of holidaymakers will be the highest since 2005
Americans travelling to see their families for Thanksgiving will reach record numbers this year.
According to the American Automotive Association, more than 54.3 million people will hit the road between Wednesday 21 November and Sunday 25 November, which is 2.5 million more than during the same period last year.
The vast majority of holidaymakers — 48.5 million — will travel by car which might cause difficulties. According to the INRIX, a global mobility analytics company, travelling through the most congested cities in the US could take up to four times longer than usual.
The main cause of the higher number of travellers this season is the current economic state of the country.
“Consumers have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season: higher wages, more disposable income and rising levels of household wealth,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA Travel’s senior vice president.
“This is translating into more travellers kicking off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving getaway, building on a positive year for the travel industry.”
4.27 million Americans will travel by plane which is 5.4 per cent more than during the same period last year. 1.48 million have decided to travel by bus, train or cruises.
10 busiest airports over the Thanksgiving period
Atlanta
1,263,168 people are expected to pass through the gates of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airport during the holidays with the highest number of passengers at 8 am each day.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles international airport has estimated that 1,074,752 outbound passengers will pass through with the busiest time at around 7 am.
Chicago
Chicago O’Hare international airport will be the third busiest with an estimated 1,057,482 outbound passengers with the highest volume at 6 pm.
Dallas
With the busiest time at 9 am, Dallas/Fort Worth international airport expects 828,891 passengers to pass through over the holiday.
Denver
Denver international airport will have an estimated number of 781,953 passengers with a busy time around 10 am.
New York (JFK)
John F. Kennedy international airport will likely have 787,629 outgoing passengers with the busiest time at around 6 pm.
San Francisco
San Francisco international airport will welcome 714,796 passengers with the busiest time at 12 pm.
Charlotte
The Charlotte Douglas international airport expects 614,779 to pass through. The busy time will be at 8 am.
Orlando
The ninth busiest airport this year will be Orlando international airport with 603,100 outbound passengers with the highest volume at around 6 pm.
Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma international airport will be the tenth busiest airport in the United States with an estimate of 590,938 outbound passengers with the busiest time at 6 am.
All times are local for each airport.
