The Thanksgiving air-travel period, which officially gets underway Friday, is expected to be busier than last year’s, according to a forecast released Monday by an industry association.
About 27 million travelers are expected to fly on U.S. airlines from Friday through Nov. 27, up 4 percent from the Thanksgiving travel season a year ago, according to the Air Transport Association, a Washington- based airline-industry group.
Planes over the Thanksgiving travel period are forecast to average about 90 percent full, while so far this year the average has been closer to 80 percent. The busiest travel day is expected to be Nov. 25, followed by Nov. 26 and Nov. 21.
Airlines are adding more employees over the holidays, with some carriers adding up to 500 extra employees, according to the Air Transport Association. At many airports, additional staff will be working at parking lots, inside and outside the terminal and at concessions, according to the airport group Airports Council International – North America.
Southwest and Frontier airlines said they adjust staffing for the holiday rush.
Frontier Airlines has been expanding over time, including adding about 16 percent more customer-service staff compared with last year.
“We feel that we’re staffed appropriately,” spokesman Joe Hodas said.
The Air Transport Association said some airlines are also doing things like setting aside blocks of seats in some markets during the busiest travel times to reaccommodate passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed because of bad weather.
United said that after a flight is canceled, it stops sales of seats on flights later in the day so customers can be rebooked on those flights. Some carriers also increase connection times during peak travel periods.
Still, the travel experience is often left to the mercy of weather, air-traffic congestion and luck.
“Our existing aviation infrastructure is stretched to its breaking point, and unless the industry and lawmakers reach a solution, we’ll be facing gridlock,” Airports Council International – North America president Greg Principato said in a written statement.
United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski recommended that travelers save time by checking in online.
“With so many people traveling, just pack your patience and allow enough time to check in and get through security,” Air Transport Association spokeswoman Elizabeth Ma chalek Merida said.
Denver International Airport is one of the fastest-growing major airports in the nation, with Frontier and Southwest both expanding in Denver.
DIA’s passenger traffic was up nearly 5 percent for the year through September and is on a pace to set another record for passenger traffic this year.
DIA releases its travel statistics on Tuesday of each week, so information for travel the week of Thanksgiving will not be available until Nov. 20.
Kelly Yamanouchi: 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@
27 million
Passengers expected on U.S. airliners during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel season, up 4 percent from 2006
90%
Seats filled on planes during Thanksgiving season
80%
Normal seats filled in 2007
What to consider before you go
Carry current government-issued photo identification.
Allow plenty of time for checking in and for security screening at the airport. If you are traveling on the busiest days, plan for longer-than-usual security lines.
Medication taken on a regular basis should be carried on board with you.
If you are taking any liquids or gels in carry-on baggage, they must be in containers of 3 ounces or less. Pack them in a 1-quart zip-top bag, and place it separately in a security bin for screening. Only one zip-top bag is allowed per passenger. Note that larger quantities of medications and baby formula can be carried on board.
Become familiar with the list of TSA-permitted and -prohibited items and under what circumstance permitted items may be carried on board.
Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package, he or she may have to unwrap your gift.
Sources: Air Transport Association, Airports Council International-North America
