Thanksgiving travel rush expected to break records at airports

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, millions of travelers are heading to airports across the country, with this year expected to set new records for air travel.

Jonathan Gordon and Kevin Vesey

Nov 26, 2024, 10:11 AM

Updated 10 days ago

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Thanksgiving travel rush expected to break records at airports
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, millions of travelers are heading to airports across the country, with this year expected to set new records for air travel.
At LaGuardia Airport, preparations are underway for what promises to be a record-breaking week of holiday travel. The TSA anticipates to screen a staggering 18.3 million passengers between Tuesday and next Monday.
Matthew Kondrup, a travel agent with Matty K Travel, shared some key tips for navigating flying during the busy holiday. “In your carry on bag pack your medicine, pack some snacks—especially if you’re traveling with kids,” Kondrup advised.
Kondrup also recommends packing an extra change of clothes in your carry-on, and giving yourself plenty of extra time. “Understand that there might be delays,” he said.
"If the weather here in New York is absolutely beautiful, that doesn’t mean the weather elsewhere in the country is," he says.
One clever tip for saving money during your airport experience is to bring an empty refillable water bottle through security. Once past the checkpoint, travelers can fill it up at one of the airport’s water fountains, avoiding the high cost of bottled water.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is urging all passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their scheduled departure time.