Nearly 82 million people are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday this year — a record-breaking number of people who should be prepared for “widespread travel troubles” from wet, wintry weather across the contiguous United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
From Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1, approximately 81.8 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home — 16 million more than last year — setting a new overall record, according to predictions from AAA.
The country’s busiest travel holiday has become “synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”
AAA estimates show that roughly 73 million people — nearly 90% of all travelers — are expected to drive to their destinations, while just over 6 million will fly, and 2.5 million will travel by bus, train or cruise.
While AAA projects a modest 2% increase in air travelers compared with last year, the estimate is far lower than the Transportation Security Administration’s, which expects to screen more than 17.8 million people at the nation’s airports from Tuesday, Nov. 25, to Tuesday, Dec. 2 — including more than 3 million on Sunday alone.
“We are projecting that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history,” said Adam Stahl, a senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator.
The potentially record-setting travel week comes just a week after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted the flight restrictions it placed on commercial airlines amid air traffic control staffing issues during the 43-day government shutdown.
Those issues have since been resolved, according to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who on Monday assured travelers could “fly with confidence.” Air traffic controllers are “back at work” and “excited to be back on the job,” Bedford said at a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport.
But travelers should monitor the weather, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, referring to what he called “the busiest Thanksgiving that we have on record.”
Rain is expected across the Pacific Northwest and much of the Eastern U.S., leading to delays on roads and rails, and air travel disruptions in major flying hubs, including New York, Atlanta and Chicago. Another winter storm could form in the central U.S. on Friday.
With News Wire Services