Thanksgiving travel: Record number of travelers expected to fly, take trains, drive this Thanksgiving holiday

Holiday Travel Thanksgiving travel forecast: Record number of travelers expected to fly, take trains American and United Airlines say they're expecting millions of flying customers. Travel forecast released as millions still plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday despite high gas prices. WPVI By Clara McMichael and Yi-Jin Yu Wednesday, November 11, 2026 12:32PM Share Follow 6abc on Google With Thanksgiving two weeks away, the holiday travel rush is starting to gear up. Despite high gasoline and jet fuel prices amid the ongoing war with Iran, millions of Americans still plan to take to the skies, road and rails this Thanksgiving. According to travel company Hopper, about 2.2% more flights are scheduled this Thanksgiving than this period last year, even though airfare prices are the highest they've been for Thanksgiving in at least 10 years, with domestic roundtrip fares up 39% from 2025 and international fares up as much as 30%. Airlines for America, a trade association and lobbying group representing major North American airlines, projects nearly 29 million people will travel over Thanksgiving break this year. SS United States sinking: Final journey to become artificial reef happening today 7 minutes ago DJ shot in face in North Philly speaks from hospital as he recovers: 'I could have died' Michael Comer arrested after missing 11-month-old boy Koah Sharpe found buried alive in dog crate in Lexington County, SC 2 hours ago Airlines are expecting the Sunday after Thanksgiving to be the busiest day to travel, with millions of travelers expected to fly on Nov. 29, according to Hopper data. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will be the busiest airports, with more than 2 million seats scheduled at each airport between Nov. 21 and Dec. 1. American Airlines said in a press release Monday that it is expecting an especially busy travel season this Thanksgiving: More than 8 million customers are expected to fly on 85,000 American flights between Nov. 19 and Dec. 1, with an average of one flight taking off every 13 seconds. According to the airline, 7,021 flights are scheduled for Nov. 29 alone, marking the carrier's "largest operating day since the pandemic." United Airlines said it is also anticipating more than 500,000 customers a day, flying on more than 4,800 daily flights during the same Nov. 19 through Dec. 1 period. Ahead of Thanksgiving, United expects its busiest day to be Friday, Nov. 20, with an expectation of more than 540,000 flying customers, which will then increase post-holiday to approximately 600,000 customers flying on Sunday, Nov. 29, the carrier told ABC News. On the rails, Amtrak is also expecting a record number of passengers and is advising customers to book tickets early. The national rail service said it is adding more capacity along its popular Northeast Corridor route from Nov. 20-30 and will add two more roundtrip trains on the Washington, D.C., to New York City route between Nov. 24-25 and Nov. 28-29. Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRAVEL THANKSGIVING U.S. & WORLD AIR TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRAFFIC JetBlue raises baggage fees for a second time as jet fuel prices stay elevated Drivers hit the road this Labor Day weekend amid high gas prices Labor Day traffic and travel: Busiest times to drive and fly Gas prices surge ahead of Labor Day, giving drivers sticker shock Watch Live ON NOW SS United States set for final journey today | What to know 7 minutes ago DJ shot in face in North Philly speaks from hospital as he recovers Missing 11-month-old boy taken by father found buried alive: Sheriff 2 hours ago Woman hurt after gunmen fire more than 50 shots in Brewerytown: Police 1 hour ago Video shows bicyclist wanted for striking woman in Chinatown 2 hours ago AccuWeather: Nice and mild for Veterans Day 1 hour ago US soldier accused of spying for Russia arrested in the UK: Officials 1 hour ago Mayor orders foster care system review after Malayshia Allford's death