10 Things You Need to Know Before Flying This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving air travel is shaping up to be very busy again this year. TSA volumes have been hitting all-time highs, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving is once again projected to be the single busiest travel day of the year, with the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday close behind.

The good news: With the federal government now reopened, experts expect flight schedules to be “normal” for the holiday period as air traffic controllers return to work. Still, the system is running near capacity, meaning even a small weather event can trigger widespread delays.

 Here are 10 things we want travelers to be aware of before they head to the airport this Thanksgiving:

 1. This might be the year to take an Uber—or ask a friend for a ride – Airport parking lots will be full, expensive, and in many cities already reaching capacity during peak holiday periods. If you can avoid driving and parking at the airport, you’ll save time, stress, and potentially a long walk or shuttle ride before your trip even begins.

 2. Arrive early. Very early – With record passenger volumes, TSA lines will be long. Plan on 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, especially at major hubs during the morning rush.

 3. Some airports are holiday delay magnets – Airports like EWR, SFO, SAN, DFW, DEN, and ORD historically experience heavy congestion around Thanksgiving. Build in wider connection times if routing through these airports.

 4. The system is stable but still fragile – FAA staffing improvements are helping, but with the system operating at near full capacity, any Northeast or Midwest storm could cause nationwide ripple effects.

 5. Use your phone’s camera aggressively when you travel – Your phone is one of the best travel tools you have. Use it to:

• Take a photo of your parking spot so you remember where your trip began.

• Photograph your checked luggage before you hand it over—if it’s lost, you can easily show the airline exactly what it looks like.

• Take a picture of your baggage claim receipt so you won’t lose it.

• Record a quick video of the exterior of your rental car when you pick it up—this protects you from being charged for scratches or dings you didn’t cause.

• And most importantly, take a picture of your family around the Thanksgiving table to remind yourself how blessed you are and why every bit of the holiday travel hassle was worth it.

 6. Expect full flights and crowded overhead bins – Assume your carry-on may be gate checked. Keep medications, chargers, valuables, and a change of clothes in your personal item.

 7. Thanksgiving food has TSA rules – As TSA puts it: if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it and it’s over 3.4 oz, it belongs in checked baggage. That means gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jams, and many canned goods must be checked. Solid foods—turkey, ham, pies, cookies, stuffing, casseroles—are generally fine in carry-on.

 8. Rely on the right travel apps – Make sure your airline app is installed with notifications on. The MyTSA app offers wait-time estimates and a “What Can I Bring?” tool. I also found a new app called Flightly that is often even better than the airline apps at keeping you up to date on delays and cancellations.

 9. If you booked through Executive Travel, remember we’ve got your back 24/7 – During the holidays, airline hold times can stretch past three hours. But when you purchase your tickets through Executive Travel, our friendly travel advisors are available 24/7, even on Thanksgiving week. While the airlines have you waiting, our team can help you in minutes with rebooking, schedule changes, and urgent travel needs. This is one of the biggest advantages of booking through us—especially during peak travel weeks.

 10. Avoid public USB charging stations – Cyber experts warn that public USB ports can be vulnerable. Use a wall outlet and your own charging brick instead.

 A Final Thought Before You Travel. 

As we head into one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, the two best things you can bring with you are patience and a smile with an attitude of Thanksgiving. Remember that the people serving you—in airports, on airplanes, and in hotels—are giving up time with their families so they can take care of you and yours. A little kindness and gratitude go a very long way, especially during the holidays.