Tips for Planning Your Thanksgiving Air Travel

Travel Channel shares the 24 busiest airports and times so you can plot your Turkey Day travel.

Airport crowd

92099095

Airport crowd

Photo by: Elena Elisseeva

Elena Elisseeva

With Halloween behind us, it’s time to replace that Frankenstein blow up with some harvest themed-décor and also time to start plotting your Thanksgiving travel.

The folks at Hopper and InsureMyTrip have shared their busiest travel days and times and also the airports that will be especially hopping this holiday season.

In 2018, the busiest travel days will be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 21 and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, so plan accordingly.

And the busiest airports and peak times this Thanksgiving are below. Some surprises, some no brainers. But this insight should help travelers be a little more strategic when booking their travel times.

Busiest Airports and Times November 21-25

  1. ATL Atlanta 8 a.m.
  2. LAX Los Angeles 7 a.m.
  3. ORD Chicago 6 p.m.
  4. DFW Dallas 9 a.m.
  5. DEN Denver 10 a.m.
  6. JFK New York 6 p.m.
  7. SFO San Francisco 12 p.m.
  8. CLT Charlotte 8 a.m.
  9. MCO Orlando 6 a.m.
  10. SEA Seattle 6 a.m.
  11. LAS Las Vegas 8 a.m.
  12. PHX Phoenix 10 a.m.
  13. EWR Newark 5 p.m.
  14. IAH Houston 5 p.m.
  15. MIA Miami 10 a.m.
  16. BOS Boston 6 a.m.
  17. FLL Ft. Lauderdale 8 a.m.
  18. DTW Detroit 7 a.m.
  19. MSP Minneapolis 2 p.m.
  20. LGA New York 10 a.m.
  21. PHL Philadelphia 7 a.m.
  22. BWI Baltimore 7 a.m.
  23. DCA Washington, D.C. 4 p.m.
  24. SAN San Diego 9 a.m.

Next Up

Thanksgiving Travel Tips

Ease into Thanksgiving with these helpful holiday travel tips.

Spring Break Safety Tips

Arm kids with the information they need to stay safe and have fun on their spring break. Or if you're a student, make sure you are prepared for anything.

Strategic Tips for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Skip the lines and plan a stress-free vacation with these helpful suggestions.

12 Tips for Navigating Airports with Kids

Making your way through a busy airport with little ones in tow can be made easier by considering these tips.

Top 10 Survival Tips for Holiday Travel

Survive the holiday travel season without a Frosty the Snowman-size meltdown.

More Creepy Content

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss Travel Channel in your favorite social media feeds.

On TV