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Record Thanksgiving air travel projected across US: A4A
Airlines for America (A4A) described the holiday season as a critical period for both passenger and cargo operations. U.S. airlines collectively operate about 27,000 flights each day.
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Anushka Pathak - Thu, 27, Nov 2025
- 14:17 EST
- 20
Aircrafts sit at Hollywood Burbank Airport in Burbank, California, U.S., October 7, 2025. / REUTERS/Daniel Cole
U.S. airlines are preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, with Airlines for America projecting more than 31 million passengers between Nov. 21 and Dec. 1.
A4A estimates carriers will transport an average of 2.8 million passengers per day. To meet the surge, airlines are adding roughly 45,000 extra seats daily compared to 2024. The group identified Nov. 30, and Dec. 1, as the peak travel days.
A4A president and CEO Chris Sununu said carriers have expanded capacity and staffing to handle the rush. "We're all looking forward to going home for the holidays. Our carriers have been working to fully prepare for what's expected to be a record-breaking Thanksgiving," he said.
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Sununu added, "We're grateful for all aviation employees who work tirelessly to get you home safely for the holidays. With airports expected to be busy, we ask all passengers to allow for extra travel time, pack their patience and carry-on kindness this holiday season."
Addressing the recent end of the federal government shutdown, Sununu urged lawmakers to avoid future disruptions. "With the government shutdown over, we are calling on Congress to find a solution that ensures essential aviation workers and the traveling public are never again caught in the middle of political disputes," he said.
"Congress needs to pass legislation so that air traffic controllers, TSA officers and CBP agents are paid during future shutdowns, ensuring operational stability as well as the safety and security of our airspace," Sununu added.
The air travel system faced a severe crisis earlier this year during the 43-day government shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, which left federal air traffic controllers unpaid and triggered widespread staffing shortages.
The Federal Aviation Administration responded with emergency orders mandating flight reductions of up to 10 percent at 40 major airports, resulting in over 10,100 cancellations between Nov. 7 and 12 alone and disrupting more than 5 million passengers, according to FAA data and Airlines for America analysis.
A4A described the holiday season as a critical period for both passenger and cargo operations. U.S. airlines collectively operate about 27,000 flights each day, carrying 2.7 million passengers and 61,000 tons of cargo while supporting 10 million jobs and contributing 5 percent of national GDP.
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