CHICAGO (WLS) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is gearing up for what it predicts to be the busiest Thanksgiving season at airports in the last 15 years.
Thanksgiving consistently ranks as the most hectic travel holiday annually, drawing millions of travelers across the nation.
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On Tuesday morning, Midway Airport experienced a brief Ground Stop for incoming flights due to low cloud cover, causing some disruptions.
This year’s holiday travel is expected to be exceptionally busy, with Triple-A forecasting nearly 82 million people journeying across the United States.
Tuesday is anticipated to be a peak travel day, with the FAA reporting over 52,000 flights scheduled nationwide, reflecting the intense demand.
Airlines are ramping up their operations to accommodate the influx of passengers eager to reach their holiday destinations.
United expects around 300,000 more passengers this year compared to 2024.
And American Airlines added special late-night flights to make sure people get to their destinations on time during this holiday period.
So, if you’re flying for Thanksgiving, here’s some important things to remember:
Most foods can be carried through a TSA checkpoint, but some items must be in checked baggage, like most alcoholic beverages, cranberry sauce, gravy and any canned fruit or vegetables.
Also, keep an eye on the weather and check your flight ahead of time.
Parts of the country expect to see severe weather, which could lead to flight delays or cancellations.
And if you plan on driving, Triple-A says the worst backups are expected Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.
