TSA screens record number of airline passengers post-Thanksgiving

Traditionally, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is a peak travel day as people return home, followed by heavy traffic on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In contrast, those traveling on Thanksgiving Day itself typically encounter less crowded airports.

The rise in remote work since the pandemic has extended the Thanksgiving travel period as many travelers opt to include additional remote working days around their trips to spend more time with family and avoid peak travel days.

FlightAware data indicates that only about 120 flights were canceled on December 1st, a relatively low number given potential weather disruptions at this time of year. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport experienced the most delays due to their status as major hubs for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported just a 0.3% cancellation rate over the Thanksgiving period and a record low of only 1.2% significant flight delays. American Airlines canceled just 95 out of more than 58,000 flights operated during this time.

Joan Fischer shared her experience flying from Newark Liberty International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport with AP News: “We flew out of Newark and you wouldn’t know it was a holiday. It was well run, and it was really not busy.”

As attention shifts towards preparations for Christmas and New Year’s travel season—another peak period—the industry remains focused on maintaining smooth operations.