FAA Forecasts Busiest Thanksgiving Air Travel in 15 Years
The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for what will be the busiest Thanksgiving air travel period in 15 years, with projections showing more than 360,000 flights scheduled between November 24 and December 2, 2025.
The peak of holiday travel is expected to occur on Tuesday, November 25, when an estimated 52,185 flights will operate across the national airspace system. This represents a significant surge in air traffic that will challenge aviation infrastructure nationwide.
The Thanksgiving travel week begins with strong volume on Monday, November 24, with 48,173 flights projected, followed by 50,130 flights on Wednesday, November 26. As is traditional, flight operations drop substantially on Thanksgiving Day itself, with only 25,611 flights scheduled for Thursday, November 27, as travelers remain at their destinations.
The post-holiday return rush builds momentum over the weekend, with 41,560 flights on Friday, November 28, climbing to 46,288 on Saturday, November 29, and peaking at 51,268 on Sunday, November 30. The extended travel period continues into the following week with 49,676 flights on Monday, December 1, and concludes on Tuesday, December 2, with 47,423 flights.
This unprecedented volume will place considerable pressure on multiple facets of aviation operations. Airlines will face challenges in crew scheduling, aircraft utilization, and maintaining on-time performance during peak hours. Airports must coordinate enhanced ground operations, from gate management to baggage handling systems operating at maximum capacity. Terminal facilities will experience increased passenger loads, requiring additional staffing for security checkpoints, customer service, and concession operations.
The surge particularly impacts air traffic control operations, where controllers must manage increased frequency congestion, complex traffic flows, and compressed separation standards while maintaining the highest safety levels. The FAA has indicated that controllers will implement various traffic management initiatives designed to optimize airspace efficiency during peak periods.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed confidence in the agency’s readiness for the challenge. “Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” Bedford stated.
The Administrator emphasized the workforce’s capabilities even under demanding conditions: “Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely.”
The FAA’s recognition of its workforce comes as the agency continues efforts to maintain adequate controller staffing levels nationwide. The agency recently awarded $10,000 bonuses to 776 air traffic control employees following challenging operational periods, underscoring the critical role these professionals play in maintaining system integrity.
For passengers, the high-volume period suggests booking flights during off-peak days and times when possible, arriving at airports with extra time for security processing, and staying informed about flight status through airline apps and notifications. Airlines typically add extra flights and deploy larger aircraft during holiday periods to accommodate demand, though operational delays can cascade quickly when the system operates near capacity.
The 15-year record for Thanksgiving travel reflects the continued recovery and growth of commercial aviation following various industry challenges, demonstrating robust consumer demand for air travel during major holidays.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102480220-901