As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, airlines are gearing up for what is expected to be a record-breaking travel season. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates screening an unprecedented 30 million passengers from November 17 through November 28, with the Sunday following Thanksgiving projected to be the busiest day. TSA Administrator David Pekoske confirmed, “We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working closely with our airline and airport partners to ensure we are prepared for this busy holiday travel season.”
Airlines are entering this period with a mix of anticipation and caution, as the year-end holidays represent a vital revenue opportunity following a period of post-pandemic normalization. With the industry juggling higher operational costs and the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, the resilience of their preparations will be under scrutiny.
Last year’s winter storm-induced flight cancellations are a stern reminder of the need for robust weather readiness strategies. Southwest Airlines, significantly affected by 16,700 cancelled flights, has invested in improving its de-icing capabilities and scheduling technology. COO Andrew Watterson highlighted the importance of constant motion in the industry, noting, “An airline stops moving, and bad things happen.”
As Chief Customer Officer Linda Jojo shared, United Airlines is also taking proactive steps, “We start winter readiness in the summer.” In addition to operational preparedness, United has introduced self-service tools and a new boarding order to streamline customer experience and improve punctuality.
The FAA anticipates a peak of 49,606 flights on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, with Delta Air Lines, United, and American Airlines expecting to transport more passengers than in previous years. Encouragingly for consumers, average domestic round-trip fares for Thanksgiving are down compared to last year, according to flight-tracking site Hopper.
As airlines brace for this busy period, they do so with detailed preparations and lessons learned from past challenges. The industry’s ability to navigate this high-stakes period will testify to its resilience and adaptability, ensuring that holiday travellers reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
