The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts a record-breaking number of travelers for Thanksgiving, with nearly 80 million people expected to travel by road, air, or sea. This represents an increase of approximately 1.7 million compared to the same period in 2023. Despite previous challenges due to shortages in personnel and aircraft, the number of Americans flying is anticipated to reach an all-time high.
American Airlines (AAL, Financial) aims to transport 8.3 million passengers between November 21 and December 3, an increase of about 500,000 from last year. Delta Air Lines (DAL) expects a record 6.5 million passengers during this period, marking a 5% increase year-over-year. Both Southwest Airlines (LUV) and American Airlines have noted that passenger volume is likely to peak on Sunday, December 1, as many travelers plan to return home immediately following the holiday.
United Airlines projects a 20% increase in passenger traffic for the days following Thanksgiving, with steady demand on the Monday and Tuesday afterward. It anticipates a record-breaking total of 6.2 million passengers over 13 days.
Travel booking app Hopper indicates that domestic travel spending has risen, with the average U.S. domestic airfare priced at $273 by the end of October, a 9% rise from the previous year. Nonetheless, holiday airfare prices remain below 2022 levels and those before the pandemic. Additionally, international flight bookings have surged by 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, with average ticket prices dropping by 5%.
The AAA predicts a record 71.7 million people will travel by car, up by 1.3 million from the previous year, potentially helped by a decrease in gas prices below $3 per gallon nationwide for the first time since 2021. Furthermore, nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel using buses and other transportation means, reflecting a 9% increase from 2023 and an 18% rise from 2019. This growth is largely attributed to the rising popularity of cruises, with both domestic and international bookings up by 20% from last Thanksgiving.
A spokesman for Amtrak stated that over 1 million customers traveled between November 18 and November 26, 2023, and the company anticipates surpassing that number this year.
