busiest travel days of the year 2023

These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

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The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

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Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays – Christmas & New Year’s 2024

As seen in our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey , 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering for Christmas this year.

There are a limited number of flights available for Christmas and New Year’s, so it is important to book as early as possible for the best prices (ideally you have already booked your holiday travel). Additionally, some days are much better than others to fly when it comes to crowds and cost. This guide will detail how far in advance to book holiday travel as well as the best and worst days to fly.

Table of Contents

How Far in Advance to Book Holiday Travel

Ideally, you should book your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights many months in advance. As a rule, we suggest booking domestic flights at least one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance, but the earlier the better. For the holidays, you should book even earlier if possible to guarantee a desirable route, time, seat, and price.

With Thanksgiving over, here are our recommended cutoff dates for booking Christmas flights for the 2023 holiday season.

Christmas (book before Thanksgiving)

The best deals on Christmas flights are usually available through late August and early September . If possible, book even earlier in June or July. At the latest, you should book by Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If it is December and you still do not have a flight, you should expect to pay a premium. Additionally, you will likely only have undesirable flight times to choose from with the potential for one or more connections. Here is a ranking of our recommended booking times.

• June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
• Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
• Early October  – Google’s recommendation. Cheap prices but lower inventory
• Thanksgiving  – Book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving at the latest
• December  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Christmas Flights – Best & Worst Times

Thanksgiving (book before Halloween)

I recommend booking your Thanksgiving flight by late August or early September for the best price. If possible, book in June or July. Book international flights even earlier. If you wait too long, you should aim to book by Halloween at the latest. While it is possible to get a decent deal after Halloween, your chances dramatically decrease. Your odds of finding a desirable flight time also go down when booking after Halloween. Here is a ranking of our recommended times.

• Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
• Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
• November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Best & Worst Times

Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

Being on a Thursday every year, the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving are predictable. Christmas is a little more difficult since it does not fall on the same day of the week every year. Here are the days you should target and the days you should avoid this holiday season. To come up with our best and worst dates forecast, we sampled hundreds of flight prices around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our sample included numerous departure and arrival cities around the United States.

Christmas (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey shows 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. Since Christmas falls on a different day every year, the best days to fly change. Other things such as school and business closures affect the dates too. Christmas can fall on a weekend (as it did in 2022), which further complicates things. Generally, the worst day to fly for Christmas is December 23, but that is not a hard rule.

Best Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The earlier you depart the week before Christmas the better. Americans will look to get a few days of work in before flying out. If possible, fly on Monday, December 18, or Tuesday, December 19. Sunday, December 17 is even better if you can swing it. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds too, but you may not want to travel on a holiday.

Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many people will fly home the day after. Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27 will be popular travel days, so try and wait until Thursday or Friday.

Worst Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can.

Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight. Despite being the day after Christmas, many people will fly home on Tuesday or Wednesday so they can return to work for a few days before the weekend.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Travel Tips

We recommend flying out for New Year’s on Thursday, December 28 or Friday, December 29. Fly home on Wednesday January 3 or Thursday January 4. While it is not ideal, flying out on the night of New Year’s Eve or the morning of New Year’s Day is generally cheap. Unfortunately, you will probably miss New Year’s Eve activities if you opt for an evening flight. An early New Year’s Day flight is not optimal either unless you can go bed very early on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid flying out on Saturday, December 30 and the morning of December 31.

Thanksgiving (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows more than 45.21% of American adults intend to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering last year. That means tens of millions of people will fight over seats for a very limited number of flights.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

As the table shows, you want to depart early during the week. If possible, Sunday is even better than Monday. While not ideal, Thanksgiving Day is a great day to fly . Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip.

Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Friday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Worst Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

Avoid the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at all costs. It is one of the most popular days of the year to fly, and it is expensive. Additionally, airports are always packed, so it is an extra stressful experience.

Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving for your return flight. Most people fly that day to get home before the workweek. I recommend flying home on Friday or Monday or Tuesday.

Average Holiday Flight Prices for 2023 – Thanksgiving ($300) and Christmas ($400)

With November here, flight prices are increasing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect to pay on average $300 for a roundtrip Flight for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, expect to pay on average $400 for a roundtrip flight.

Those prices will vary by your destination and dates of travel, so we recommend doing your homework before booking. If possible, travel on our recommended days and avoid the worst days.

We’ve found many domestic Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $200. We’ve also found various international Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $500.

Flexibility is the key to finding the absolute cheapest holiday flights. Use the Google Flights Explore map to find the best flight deals from your home airport or city around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Travel is Recovering for the 2023 Holiday Season

On most days, hundreds of thousands more travelers are going through TSA checkpoints compared to the same day as last year. For 2023, we expect holiday travel numbers to resemble or surpass 2019, which is the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Further Reading: What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight and How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations

Other Tips For Scoring a Cheap Holiday Flight Deal

Check out our guide to finding and booking cheap flights for additional tips. A few of the major tips may not be applicable with holiday travel (being very flexible on dates and destinations), but other guidelines can help. Here are a few of them.

• Do: Start With Google Flights
• Do: Be Open to Different Nearby Departure and Arrival Airports
• Do: Be Open to All Airlines
• Do: Be Open to Flights With Connections
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Clearing Cookies
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Browsing in Incognito

Additionally, our best websites to book cheap flights guide and top airline credit cards tutorial can help you save even more money.

Further Reading: Clearing Cookies or Searching Incognito Does Not Show Cheaper Flight Prices

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The worst day to fly for Thanksgiving is the Wednesday before.

The best days are the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday after Turkey Day. The worst day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It is, but it is not ideal for most people.

It is, but most people do not want to fly home on the day after Thanksgiving.

Book by the middle of September at the latest for the best price, but you should ideally book earlier. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Halloween to book.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days before Christmas Eve.

Avoid the two days before Christmas Eve.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days after Christmas.

Book by the middle of September for the best price. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving to book.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Ideally, you have already booked your 2023 holiday travel. If you have not done so already, there is still time to get a deal, but you need to move quickly. Shoot for the dates discussed in the article and avoid the bad ones. After the holidays are over, follow our best days of the week to fly and our best day of the week to book flights guides.

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 — 43%+ to Travel; 66%+ Say Inflation is Affecting Plans; 29% to Spend $501+ on Travel; Cranberry Sauce Most Hated Food

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

When to Book Christmas Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

2023 has been a record-setting year for air travel, and there's no reason to think the end-of-year holidays will be any different.

After logging its busiest summer ever at U.S. airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration saw more passengers on Nov. 26 — the Sunday after Thanksgiving — than on any day in its 22-year history.

And the crowds are just getting started.

AAA expects 7.5 million Americans will fly over the 10-day Christmas and New Year's holiday period. That's a number larger than both last year's holiday airport crowds and those seen in 2019.

At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement last month.

It was a prediction that the Thanksgiving rush confirmed, and one that tracked with the crowds seen all year. Seven of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come in 2023. The 2.9 million air travelers seen on Nov. 26 beat out the previous record from June 30, set by Fourth of July weekend travelers.

Suffice it to say, if you're traveling for a December holiday, it's a good time to make sure that your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear membership is active. Also, make sure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your flight reservation.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how airlines perform following 2022's headaches, most notably the Southwest Airlines December meltdown . That meltdown was an operational disaster the airline says it will avoid this year thanks to a host of changes.

Fortunately, airlines are off to a good start with this year's holiday season. Between Nov. 19 and 26, during peak the peak Thanksgiving period, U.S. based carriers canceled a collective 0.2% of flights, according to FlightAware data analyzed by TPG. That was down slightly from a similarly impressive 0.3% cancellation rate during the equivalent period last year. The rate of delays among those carriers hovered at a consistent 17% from last Thanksgiving.

However, travelers have learned all too well the last couple of years that the end-of-year holiday season can bring a plethora of potential roadblocks, including the possibility of bad weather and the lingering threat of air traffic control-related disruptions.

"Mother Nature is always the x-factor," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged at a news conference last month.

Busiest days to travel at Christmas and New Year's

The TSA anticipates heavy volume throughout the Christmas and New Year's holiday period. However, it may likely come in the form of sustained crowds, as opposed to any single, record-setting days. (In recent years, the busiest day of the year has typically been the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it was this year.)

Exactly which days will be the busiest days to fly this month? It's a little harder to predict the end-of-year holidays, which fall on a different day of the week each year. Also, recent years have held no shortage of abnormalities, from last December's bad weather and Southwest meltdown to COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge disrupting travel in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data:

• Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday)
• Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday)
• Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day)

This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy leading into the weekends prior to the two holidays, particularly Christmas.

Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers, says the busiest days will be:

• Thursday, Dec. 21
• Friday, Dec. 22
• Tuesday, Dec. 26
• Wednesday, Dec. 27
• Thursday, Dec. 28
• Friday, Dec. 29

On the other hand, if you can find a way to travel on Christmas Day, you may find ultra-light crowds — if Thanksgiving was any indication, at least. Thanksgiving Day was the second least crowded day of 2023 at U.S. airports, according to TSA data. Likewise, Airlines for America projects Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be similarly uncrowded.

What about driving?

As usual, even more Americans will drive than fly for the holidays, although the share of air travelers is up from recent years.

More than 103 million U.S. travelers will take year-end holiday road trips during the 10 days around the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA. That's up nearly 2% from last year.

There's some good news for drivers, too. The national average for a gallon of regular gas currently sits at $3.15, down slightly from this time last year.

That's despite airlines battling cost pressures from jet fuel prices in recent months.

Still, if you are driving for Christmas or New Year's, be sure to pay at the pump with a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at gas stations . Consider stacking those bonus points with gas rewards programs and other ways to save on gas.

Bottom line

The holiday season is already off to a busy start, and that trend will likely continue this month with Christmas and New Year's travel. With those airport crowds in mind, it's a good time to double-check that you booked your flight and all other trip elements with a credit card that includes travel insurance protections.

As you travel, don't forget to take advantage of those airline fee credits on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express . Also, don't forget to use an airline credit card for credits on checked bags or travel. This is where you can really offset that annual fee.

Download the MyTSA app so you can check security checkpoint wait times and read up on your rights as an air traveler in the event something goes wrong — including when you're owed a refund.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

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The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving week tends to draw major airport crowds, and coupled with inevitable weather delays, it can be a brutal time to travel. Not to mention, the conventional wisdom to fly on Tuesdays won't necessarily save you much money.

But some days within Thanksgiving week are significantly busier than others. If you can afford to be flexible with scheduling, you’ll not only save money, but you might also avoid chaos.

The best and worst days to fly around Thanksgiving

NerdWallet analyzed checkpoint travel numbers provided by the Transportation Security Administration from 2019-2022, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily in the U.S. at its checkpoints.

The data shows that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day to travel from the seven days before and after Thanksgiving.

Are airports busy on Thanksgiving Day? Our analysis shows that the actual holiday is the least crowded travel day at airports.

From 2019-2022, here were the most to least crowded days for Thanksgiving flying:

Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).

Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Friday before.

Monday after (Cyber Monday).

Saturday after.

Sunday before.

Tuesday before.

Thursday before.

Monday before.

Saturday before.

Thursday after.

Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).

Friday after (Black Friday).

Wednesday after.

Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

When broken out by pre- and post-holiday travel, here are the three least-crowded days to travel ranked from least to most crowded. Because they're less crowded and likely less expensive, it makes them some of the best days to fly around Thanksgiving.

Pre-holiday:

Saturday before (least crowded).

Post-holiday:

Wednesday after (least crowded).

Black Friday.

Tuesday after.

Why flying the Sunday after Thanksgiving is so terrible

By almost all metrics, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is pretty much the worst day of the year to fly. In 2019, 2021 and 2022, it was the busiest single day of the entire year in terms of U.S. passengers, based on TSA passenger data.

(The post-Thanksgiving Sunday wasn't the busiest day of the year in 2020 because, well, you know why. The most-crowded-day award in 2020 went to Friday, Feb. 14, which preceded the Presidents Day weekend and pandemic-related travel restrictions.)

Here’s a breakdown of the number of people flying on Thanksgiving Day versus the Sunday after Thanksgiving in three recent years:

For every 100 people who were flying on Thanksgiving Day 2022, there were 183 people flying on the Sunday after.

The smarter, cheaper Thanksgiving weekend itinerary

If you work a standard Monday-Friday workweek, with two days off for the holiday, then leaving Wednesday after work and flying home Sunday night might make sense. That’s the schedule most people follow to avoid taking extra time off, and if you join in, then you’ll pay — both in terms of cost and crowds.

Beyond crowds, expect to pay big this year. Sure, average airfares are actually cheaper this year versus last (and are even cheaper this year versus pre-pandemic), with average airfares for the first six months of 2023 down 7.2% versus the same period in 2022, according to a NerdWallet analysis of consumer price index data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

But airfares can still feel incredibly high. That’s for a few reasons, including that basic economy seats have lowered overall prices. But for folks who end up paying a la carte for benefits that were typically included in the past (e.g., checked bags or the ability to select your seat), the total cost can end up sometimes more expensive given all those ancillary fees .

So how can you choose a better Thanksgiving travel itinerary to save money? Avoid the Wednesday-Sunday itinerary and try these travel days instead.

Travel on Thanksgiving Day

Is flying on Thanksgiving Day busy? Across travel days for the week before and after Thanksgiving, the holiday was the lowest-traffic day every year in our analysis. Book the first flight out for the day — a practice NerdWallet recommends anyway to reduce your odds of a flight delay — and you might even land in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Stay longer

If you can extend your trip, the Wednesday after Thanksgiving is, on average, the second-emptiest day to travel. Especially if you have the option of remote work , you might be able to avoid taking vacation days, despite the longer trip.

Fly on Black Friday

If you must travel during the weekend, consider having Thanksgiving dinner at your own home, then flying somewhere on Black Friday, which is the third-least crowded day to fly on average.

Look at it as a great way to not only avoid airport crowds but also retail crowds since you won’t be out shopping.

The standard rules around the best (and worst) days to fly don’t necessarily apply. Coupling that with conventional wisdom around saving money on flights , flying for Thanksgiving might not be as painful a proposition as you once thought.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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U.S. Airlines Expect a Record-breaking Number of Travelers for Thanksgiving 2023 — and Share Which Days Will Be the Busiest

Delta, United, and American all expect the number of travelers for the holiday to surpass 2019.

Sam Hodgson/Getty Images

Major airlines in the United States are expecting record numbers of travelers this year over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

United Airlines , for example, told Travel + Leisure it expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever with more than 5.9 million people flying from Nov. 17 to Nov. 29. That’s 13 percent more passengers than last year and nearly 5 percent more than 2019.

All that will be supported by an average of more than 3,900 flights per day.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines told T+L it expects to fly between 6.2 million and 6.4 million passengers from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28, also an increase compared to both 2019 and last year. The carrier expects the busiest days to be the Friday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 17, and the Sunday and Monday after the holiday, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.

American Airlines expects to welcome the most travelers with more than 7.8 million customers forecast to fly with the airline from Nov. 16 to Nov. 28. The volume of passengers will mark the most trafficked Thanksgiving ever for the carrier with Nov. 26 expected to be the busiest travel day.

“We are running the best operation in our airline’s history,” David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer, said in a statement . “As our customers travel to spend time with their friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving, we look forward to continuing to deliver a safe and reliable operation they can count on, and that’s thanks to the hard work of our more than 130,000 team members.”

This year, holiday flights are also forecast to be more expensive than in the past . Flights for Thanksgiving, specifically, are expected to be about 12 percent pricier than last year, according to a recent study.

But while domestic travel is consistently busy — and pricey — for the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s actually a great time to travel internationally . In fact, travelers can often find great deals on international airfare during that time and hotels around the world offer Turkey Day-themed experiences to celebrate.

Related Articles

Thanksgiving travel tips: Best and worst days to fly or drive

Some airlines are expecting their busiest Thanksgiving ever.

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up to hit the highway or head to the airport -- and some airlines are expecting their busiest Thanksgiving ever.

Here's what you need to know:

Thanksgiving travel by air

AAA projects 4.7 million travelers will fly over Thanksgiving -- a 6.6% increase from last year. This would mark the highest number of people flying for Thanksgiving since 2005.

The busiest and most expensive days to fly before Thanksgiving will be Tuesday, Nov. 21, and Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to AAA.

The best day to go to the airport for Thanksgiving is Monday, Nov. 20, when flights will be 12% cheaper than on Nov. 22, according to Expedia.

MORE: Thanksgiving food price forecast, retailers with early deals and expert savings tips

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen 30 million passengers during its Thanksgiving travel period, which runs from Nov. 17 to Nov. 28.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever. In 2023, we have already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA's history," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. "We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working closely with our airline and airport partners to make sure we are prepared for this busy holiday travel season. We will also do our best to maintain wait time standards of under 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck® lanes and under 30 minutes for standard screening lanes."

The most popular domestic destinations for Thanksgiving this year are New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando, Florida, according to Hopper. Internationally, the most popular cities are London, Tokyo and Paris.

The cheapest days to return home will be Friday, Nov. 24, or Monday, Nov. 27, according to Hopper.

United Airlines said it expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever, with over 5.9 million passengers -- a 13% increase from last year.

MORE: Supermarkets like Giant, ShopRite giving free turkeys for Thanksgiving again

United anticipates that Sunday, Nov. 26, will be one of its busiest days since before the pandemic, with more than 517,000 people expected to fly.

Due to remote work, United said its holiday travel period has extended. United said the demand for flying the Monday before Thanksgiving is up nearly 10% from 2019, while demand for flying the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is only up 3%.

American Airlines said it predicts a record 7.8 million passengers over Thanksgiving.

American said Sunday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Nov. 27, will be its busiest days.

"I think the best tip we can offer is to ask everyone to arrive early for your flights," said John Busch, TSA's federal security director at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. "Recommendation is always two hours before a domestic flight, three hours before an international flight."

Thanksgiving travel by road

AAA projects that 55.4 million people will drive 50 miles or farther from home for Thanksgiving -- a 2.3% increase from last year. This marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.

The busiest day on the roads is expected to be Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. Drivers should leave home in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic, INRIX said.

On Sunday, Nov. 26, the worst traffic is forecast to be between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The best time to hit the road will be before noon, according to INRIX.

Related Topics

‘That desire to get away is stronger than we have seen in a very long time’ as 115 million Americans expected to travel over the holiday season

More Americans are expected to fly or drive far from home over Christmas than did last year, putting a cap on a busy year for travel.

Auto club AAA forecast Monday that 115.2 million people will go 50 miles or more from home during the 10 days between Dec. 23 and New Year’s Day. That’s 2.2% more than AAA predicted during the comparable stretch last year.

“That desire to get away is stronger than we have seen in a very long time,” said AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz. “People are willing to adjust their budgets in other areas of their life, but they want to keep traveling.”

The AAA predicts that the holiday season will still fall 3% short of record travel in 2019, the last Christmas before COVID-19 hit the United States.

Air travel in the U.S. has already rebounded, surpassing 2019 levels.

The number of travelers going through U.S. airport checkpoints is up 12.4% over last year and 1.4% higher than in 2019, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Travel around the Thanksgiving Day holiday topped 2019 numbers, peaking at 2.9 million — a single-day record for TSA — screened on Sunday, Nov. 26.

Airlines are predicting a blockbuster holiday season.

Airlines for America says 39 million people — about 2.8 million a day on average — will board U.S. flights between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2. The trade group for big U.S. carriers expects about 3 million on the peak days – the Thursday and Friday before Christmas and the four days after the holiday.

The airlines count people more than once if they take connecting flights instead of nonstops, so their numbers are higher than those reported by TSA.

Travel is strong even though many Americans say they are worried about the economy. In an AP-NORC poll last week, seven out of 10 people surveyed rated the economy as poor. But at least inflation has cooled off a bit.

Airline passengers are getting a slight break from last year’s high prices. Average fares in October were 13% lower than a year earlier, according to the government’s latest data.

AAA predicts that 7.5 million people will fly in the U.S. in late December, but the club expects far more — nearly 104 million — to drive over the holidays.

Motorists will pay a bit less to fill up. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.19 at the end of last week, compared with $3.33 a year earlier, according to AAA. Gas is under $3 a gallon across a swath in the middle of the country.

Travel for Christmas and New Year’s is spread out over a couple weeks, so the busiest days rarely match the Thanksgiving peaks — TSA counted a record 2.9 million air travelers on the Sunday after the November holiday.

Transportation data provider INRIX predicted that highways will be busiest on Saturday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 28.

AAA’s Diaz notes that many people are still working during the holidays. Vacationers heading to visit family will be mixing with commuters on the roads, “so rush hour could still be bad,” she said. “We always say leave as early as possible if you’re hitting the road or leave at night.”

Associated Press Staff Writer Rick Gentilo in Washington contributed to this report.

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TSA broke record on Sunday for number of passengers screened

The Sunday after Thanksgiving lived up to its billing as the busiest travel day of the year.

If you boarded a flight at a U.S. airport on Sunday, you helped to make history, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday.

The agency said on X, formerly Twitter, that it screened more than 2.9 million passengers on Sunday, the most in the history of the federal agency. That number was 10 percent more than the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year, when it screened about 2.6 million people, and up 25 percent from 2019, when it screened more than 2.3 million travelers.

Yesterday was the busiest day ever at airports in the US, with the @TSA reporting 2,884,783 people screened. It was also an incredibly smooth day of travel with fewer than one-half of one percent of 51,332 scheduled flights canceled. pic.twitter.com/6ZUVmaHyDR — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 27, 2023

TSA Administrator David Pekoske thanked the agency’s employees for their work.

My sincere appreciation to our @TSA employees who worked diligently during the Thanksgiving weekend. Officers screened over 2.9M passengers at airport security checkpoints yesterday - the most ever screened on record. Thank you for always being vigilant & focused on our mission. https://t.co/b5vaCoxJMy — David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) November 27, 2023

Despite recent signs of slowing demand for air travel, seven of the 10 busiest screening days in TSA history have been recorded in 2023. Before Sunday, the busiest day in TSA history was June 30, when nearly 2.9 million passengers were screened.

At FAA command center, round-the-clock work to keep holiday flights on track

Despite the crowds and some weather issues, travelers had a relatively smooth Thanksgiving travel period. According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware , U.S.-based carriers canceled 201 flights, or 0.2 percent, scheduled between Wednesday and Sunday. However, 16.2 percent of flights were delayed, by an average of 42 minutes.

American Airlines said Sunday was its busiest day of the Thanksgiving travel period, with more than 6,100 departures. It noted that as of Sunday, it had canceled fewer flights than in any other Thanksgiving period in its history. That performance came despite snowy weather in Chicago, where the airline has a hub at O’Hare International.

United Airlines said it carried more than 4.5 million passengers, up 9 percent over last year.

Southwest Airlines said it operated more than 20,000 flights between Wednesday and Sunday, carrying more than 2.6 million passengers.

Meanwhile, Baltimore Washington International said Sunday was its busiest day for departing passenger traffic since late 2019.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly described how many of TSA's busiest passenger screening days had occurred in 2023 as of Nov. 26. The article has been corrected.

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TSA is prepared for busy winter travel season, expects high volumes through New Year’s Day

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for sustained higher passenger volumes during the winter holiday travel season and expects airport security checkpoints to be busier this year compared to last year. The official end-of-the-year holiday travel period starts Thursday, Dec. 21, and will continue through Tuesday, Jan. 2. The busiest days are projected to be Thursday, Dec. 21, Friday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 1, when the agency will screen more than 2.5 million passengers each day, which is a 6% increase from 2022. The busiest day last year was Dec. 29, when TSA screened nearly 2.4 million passengers.

TSA screened nearly 30 million passengers during last month’s 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period and broke the record for most passengers in a single day on Nov. 26, screening more than 2.9 million passengers at security checkpoints nationwide.

“We are prepared to handle the busy passenger volumes this winter holiday season,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “TSA’s continued success during this record year for travel is a direct result of teamwork, planning and professional execution across the agency, from our frontline employees to those behind the scenes; partnerships with airports and air carriers; and innovative checkpoint technologies that improve security effectiveness, efficiency and the passenger experience.”

Travelers should keep these top tips in mind while traveling:

1. Pack smart by starting with an empty bag. Passengers who start packing with an empty bag are less likely to bring prohibited items through the checkpoint, which include firearms, explosives, fireworks, flammables, knives, razors and replica weapons. To see if an item is prohibited, check the TSA website under  “What Can I Bring?” or just text @AskTSA . If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it is subject to the 3.4-ounce liquids rule limitation. As always, passengers may bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the TSA checkpoint, which are subject to screening. 

2. Arrive early . The airport will be busy, so arrive two hours prior to your scheduled flight to allow for adequate time to park your car, return your rental car or arrive via public transit or rideshare, check bags with the airline, and go through security screening before arriving at the gate.

3. Bring an acceptable ID and have it out in the screening lane. Before heading to the airport, travelers must make sure they have acceptable identification . Make your ID a REAL ID. Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star in the upper portion of the card.

Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process. At many checkpoints, the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) may ask you to insert your physical ID into one of our Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units, where a boarding pass is not needed.

The second generation of CAT, called CAT-2, is currently deployed at 25 airports and adds a camera and smartphone reader to the other CAT features. The camera captures a real-time photo of the traveler at the podium and compares the traveler’s photo on the identification credential against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, the TSO verifies and directs the traveler for appropriate security screening without ever exchanging a boarding pass. Photos are not stored but are immediately deleted after the passenger’s identity is verified. Passenger participation is voluntary and if a passenger chooses not to have their photo taken, they may have their identity checked manually instead without losing their place in line. For more information on how TSA is using facial recognition technology to enhance security effectiveness, improve operational efficiency and create a more streamlined passenger experience, see our  TSA Facial Recognition Fact Sheet .

4. Ensure gifts are unwrapped and can be inspected. TSA encourages those traveling with gifts  this holiday season to use gift bags that can be easily opened or gift boxes with lids that can be removed, so contents can be inspected if required. Fully wrapped gifts may need to be opened if deemed necessary by a TSA officer. Another option is to place your unwrapped gifts in your checked bag. This includes snow globes, which are popular at this time of the year.

5. Prepare, pack and declare for hassle-free travels with firearms. Passengers may travel with firearms; however, firearms must be unloaded and properly packed in a hard-sided, locked case and must be placed in checked baggage. At the airline ticket counter, passengers must declare their firearm with the airline.

Firearms are prohibited in carry-on luggage and at the security checkpoints and onboard aircraft. Bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is expensive and time-consuming for the passenger and may lead to missed flights. The maximum civil penalty for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is nearly $15,000. It will also result in the loss of TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may result in enhanced screening at the TSA checkpoint. For more information about how to properly travel with a firearm, visit: The transporting firearms and ammunition page on TSA.gov.

6. Be aware of new checkpoint screening technology. TSA uses a variety of security methods and technologies to secure our transportation systems. Some airports have installed new state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, which give TSOs the ability to review 3-D images of passengers’ bags, so passengers screened in security lanes with CT units do not need to remove their 3-1-1 liquids or laptops. With CT units, all travelers must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening.

7. Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck and ensure you have the TSA PreCheck mark on your boarding pass. TSA’s trusted traveler program now has more than 90 participating airlines, is available at more than 200 airports and has two authorized enrollment providers. Those enrolled enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening. The five-year membership costs as little as $78. After submitting an online application, which takes just five minutes to complete, applicants must schedule an appointment at any of the 600-plus enrollment centers for a quick in-person process. After a successful enrollment center visit, most new enrollees will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days. Members may renew their membership online up to six months prior to expiration for another five-year term for $70.

Most TSA PreCheck members wait less than five minutes at the checkpoint. Children 12 and younger may join TSA PreCheck family members in the TSA PreCheck screening lanes. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults in the dedicated lanes when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. TSA PreCheck passengers should ensure that their KTN, along with correct date of birth, is in their airline reservation. For more information about becoming a member of the TSA PreCheck program, visit: www.TSA.gov/precheck .

8. Call ahead to request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs. 

9. Text or direct message us @AskTSA. Get your questions answered before you head to the airport. Travelers can get assistance in real time by texting their question to #275-872 (“AskTSA”) or through @AskTSA on X (formerly known as Twitter) or  Facebook Messenger . An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7, while staff is available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, including holidays and weekends. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

10. Follow TSO guidance. Some people may not have traveled recently, so it is important to listen to the direction provided by our TSOs at the security checkpoint. There may be information on new technologies that help reduce touchpoints or a TSO may redirect passengers to ensure we keep people moving through the screening process. If flying internationally, upon return to the United States, passengers will encounter a Customs and Border Protection officer to clear customs. Listen for their directions as well. Passengers may also need to have their baggage re-screened by a TSO to continue on to their final domestic destination. Airport and airline employees may also give guidance to help throughout the travel process.  

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These are the best and worst air travel days around Thanksgiving and Christmas

By Sally French

Here are the most and least crowded days around the holidays, and which days might be cheaper

This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.

Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn't necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily. The two days after Christmas also see heavy travel. And since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, that might mean an abnormally busy Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

To avoid crowds and save money, consider skipping the busy days and book your flights on one of the slower ones. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize to avoid crowds and save money.

The busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. Last year, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day, according to TSA data, making it the busiest travel day of 2022.

That same Sunday was also the year's single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days of the year for air travel were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Thanksgiving over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

Source: Transportation Security Administration checkpoint data, 2019-2022.

And here are the three least busy days to fly in that period:

Assuming past trends continue in 2023, expect Sunday, Nov. 26, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 25, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger based on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records. For example, 2023's Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel. More than 2.884 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday before July 4, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019, when a recorded 2.882 million people passed through TSA checkpoints.

Learn more: Crowds, costs and cancellation concerns? Try these tips and tricks for booking holiday travel.

The busiest days to fly around Christmas

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year and air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Christmas over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and -- especially during Christmas week -- many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

According to Chase Travel, Friday, Dec. 22, is one of the top three busiest days across all flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024 (the other two busiest days are Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30). Similarly, booking site Hopper anticipates that day having the highest fare for the Christmas season.

This holiday travel season may see some relief, though. Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, can sometimes align closely with Christmas. The eight-day celebration ran from Dec. 18-26 in 2022, but this year will commence on Dec. 15 -- likely before the Christmas crowds start.

Another consideration for travel is that the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

How to choose less crowded (and cheaper) travel days

The holiday travel season is always expensive, but there is some decrease from last year's prices. Airfares for Christmas trips are averaging $400 according to Hopper data. That's down 12%, or about $52 per ticket, from last year. The bad news is that it's still 29% higher than holiday airfares were in 2019.

Travel on the holiday: Traveling on the holiday is often the best way to avoid crowds and save money. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas versus Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

And that demand has a strong effect on prices. According to Hopper, domestic flights on Christmas Day average about 26% less than peak prices.

Book morning flights: If you are traveling on the holiday, catch the first flight out for the day and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Stay longer: If you can take the days off or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

For Thanksgiving, Hopper recommends flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day to fly, so extending your trip by just one day can save you money. According to Hopper, airfares average 40% less on the Monday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday after.

For Christmas, Hopper recommends departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday.

Skip holiday travel completely: If you don't mind celebrating in an unconventional way, consider participating in something like an un-holiday, where you shift the celebration by a couple of days or weeks.

Read next: If you want to be a more climate-friendly traveler, tough it out on the budget airlines--here's why

More From NerdWallet

The Best Airlines for 2023 Holiday Travel on PointsShould You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel?The Frequent Traveler Benefit People Want More Than Perks

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

-Sally French

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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What are the busiest travel days of the year?

July holds the most records with four dates appearing on tsa’s list of the top highest volume days. a recently released aaa survey found more americans plan to take a vacation over the summer than during any other season. popular destinations are beaches, major cities and national parks..

International summer travel expected to be on the rise this year

International summer travel is filling up as we are entering one of the busiest summer seasons we have seen. With an increase in travel overseas, travel reporter Francesca Page discusses whether travelers are splurging now that they don't have to put their trips on hold. 

A record 4.7 billion people are expected to travel around the world in 2024, but many of the busiest days will likely fall outside of what is considered the winter holiday travel season.

According to data from the Transportation Security Administration , six of the ten busiest all-time travel days occurred in 2023 as Americans returned to the skies after canceling vacations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July holds the most records with four dates appearing on TSA’s list of the top highest volume days, but the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2023 firmly holds the number one slot for being the busiest travel day in the country’s aviation history – some 2.9 million customers passed through checkpoints in more than 400 airports around the country on Nov. 26.

Recently, the TSA announced that its agents screened about 2.79 individuals on March 28, making it the first date of 2024 to make the list of the top ten highest volume days.

The agency attributed the high passenger count to spring break being in full swing, which was accompanied by some beautiful weather from coast to coast.

HOW THUNDERSTORMS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY CAN WREAK HAVOC ON AIR TRAVEL

A recently released AAA survey found more Americans plan to take a vacation over the summer than during any other season.

Popular destinations include beaches, major cities, and national parks, with guided tours and river cruises ranking near the bottom of the list of destinations.

Just under half of polled auto club members plan to take at least one commercial flight.

Potential travelers are most concerned about inflation, severe storms, overcrowding, health and summer heat, which could disrupt plans.

For some of these reasons, the U.S. Travel Association suggests that domestic travel may have already peaked in its rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, while significant growth is still anticipated in international travel.

WHAT ARE THE WORST AIRPORTS TO FLY INTO DURING WINTER?

The TSA recommends all domestic passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure and three hours prior to any international flight.

The agency recently announced the expansion of its PreCheck program , which allows select fliers to use its expedited screening process at more than 200 airports.

According to the TSA, 99% of passengers enrolled in the PreCheck program wait less than 10 minutes at airport checkpoints.

Watch CBS News

Traffic, weather — what's ahead for travelers during Thanksgiving 2023

By Allison Elyse Gualtieri , Kathryn Krupnik

Updated on: November 22, 2023 / 8:48 PM EST / CBS News

More people travel for Thanksgiving than any other U.S. holiday, and they get on the road or board planes starting nearly a week ahead of time. Friday — Nov. 17 this year — is generally regarded as the start of the holiday travel season, which stretches to the Tuesday following the holiday, Nov. 28 this year.

It's already been a record year for travel: The Transportation Security Administration saw seven of the 10 busiest days in its history in 2023, said then-Administrator David Pekoske. The TSA expects to screen more than 30 million travelers over the period, according to a news release, noting the three busiest days have historically been the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after.

And don't expect a reprieve on the roads — most Americans will get to their holiday destination by automobile. More than 55 million people are expected to head at least 50 miles to their Thanksgiving destination between Wednesday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 26, and more than 49 million of them will drive, according to AAA . The organization predicts this year will see the third-highest travel numbers for the holiday stretch since 2000, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. 

But all that travel could be complicated by the week's weather . Some parts of the country are seeing storms, including rain in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during some of the heaviest travel times. 

Here's what to expect — and when.

The day before Thanksgiving: Wednesday, Nov. 22

If you're traveling the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, you'll have a lot of company. The Federal Aviation Administration says that's the day the most flights are scheduled — 49,606 of them in the U.S., to be exact.

Oh, my gourd, Thanksgiving is here! We’re forecasting a peak of 49,606 flights on Wednesday, November 22. If you’re flying somewhere, we hope your flight is gravy. Carve out some time to fill up on tips to help you prepare at https://t.co/PKpvH0f8D2 . #Thanksgiving2023 🦃 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Mj9bnuWoSy — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) November 13, 2023

The TSA expects to screen 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday, and trade group Airlines for America says it will be the second-busiest day of the holiday period for flyers.

Wednesday is also the day the most drivers will be hitting the road, according to AAA , citing data from transportation data company Inrix. If you're loading up the car that day, try to get moving before 11 a.m., the group said — the busiest time for auto travelers will be between 2–6 p.m.

"The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros," said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. "Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications and 511 services for real-time updates."

Some areas of New England were hit with snow that will turn to rain, potentially affecting Wednesday morning travelers, CBS Boston reports . Tuesday's rain was causing headaches Wednesday morning in the New York area, as some highways flooded, according to CBS New York . Heavy rain was expected to continue into the morning.

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23 and Black Friday, Nov. 24

Thanksgiving itself is one of the easier days to travel over the holiday stretch: Airlines for America pegs it as the lightest travel day of the period for flyers. If you're planning to drive, AAA recommends doing so before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m., with the busiest time on the roads expected to be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

And while the FAA forecasts more flights on Friday than Saturday — 44,744, nearly as many as Sunday, versus 41,640 on Saturday — Airlines for America projects Saturday will be the fifth busiest of the Thanksgiving stretch.

If you're planning to hit early brick-and-mortar Black Friday sales at your holiday destination, give yourself a break before getting back on the road for home. INRIX says the most congested times to drive will be between 12–4 p.m., and roads will be less crowded before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25, Sunday, Nov. 26 and Monday, Nov. 27

Nearly 42,000 flights are scheduled for Saturday and almost 45,000 on Sunday, according to the FAA. Overall, Airlines for America said to expect Sunday to be the busiest travel day, with more than 3.2 million passengers flying. 

That's an expectation shared by the TSA, which anticipates 2.9 million airline passengers will be screened Sunday, Nov. 26, according to the TSA. United Airlines also announced Sunday will be one of the company's busiest travel days since before the pandemic. More than 517,000 people are expected to fly on a United flight that day, according to a news release from the company, 60,000 more than last year.

While data company Cirium projects Sunday to be the biggest travel day of the year, passengers will still be making their way on Monday — according to AAA, "While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving."

American Airlines said Sunday will be its busiest travel day and Monday the second busiest with 6,100 and 6,000 departures, respectively. Delta said it expects peak travel days over the period will include Sunday and Monday, and Airlines for America said the two days will be the first and third busiest, respectively, for air travel during the Thanksgiving travel period.

And if you're hauling dinner supplies to Thanksgiving or leftovers home afterward , the TSA said to be prepared for likely additional screening if you have food in your carry-on and know what needs to go in a checked bag instead.

"If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it's larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag," the TSA said on its website. "If you need to keep items cold during your trip, ice packs are permissible, but they must be frozen solid and not melted when they go through security screening."

Pie, turkey and stuffing can be carried on, the TSA noted, but cranberry sauce, gravy and wine have to be checked. And if you are carrying on, the agency recommends packing them so they're easy to take out of your bag and putting them in a bin for screening when it's your turn at the checkpoint.

• Transportation Security Administration
• Thanksgiving

Allison Elyse Gualtieri is a senior news editor for CBSNews.com, working on a wide variety of subjects including crime, longer-form features and feel-good news. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and U.S. News and World Report, among other outlets.

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Busiest Travel Days 2023: Find Out When to Avoid

Table of Contents

Introduction

The busiest travel day is a term that refers to the day with the best variety of tourists in a given week. It can be a hectic time, specifically around vacations and height tour seasons. The busiest days can range relying on the time of year, but some fashionable tendencies could help tourists plan their trips therefore.

According to transportation information, the first flight on Monday tends to be one of the worst days for the journey. This is due to the fact many humans are returning from weekend getaways or business journeys, causing airports and different transportation hubs to come to be crowded. However, the busiest travel day can also fluctuate relying on the day of the week, with some weekdays being busier than others.

Understanding the Significance of Busiest Travel Day

Why understanding the significance of busiest travel day makes sense for every traveler.

Planning an experience can be stressful, specifically while you are journeying through holidays or unique activities. Knowing the busiest travel day importance of the busiest travel day makes the experience for every traveler.

Avoiding Crowds and Long Lines

The busiest travel day is normally all through vacations or unique events while humans travel to go to their own family and buddies or attend celebrations. For instance, Thanksgiving Day is considered one of the busiest days in the United States as millions of Americans journey to spend time with their cherished ones. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are also busy days as people rush to get domestic before the vacations begin.

Reducing Stress Levels

Traveling can be traumatic even on everyday occasions. However, touring on the busiest travel day can extensively grow your stress tiers due to overcrowding and long wait times at protection checkpoints.

Knowing which day is the busiest can help you plan consequently by using arriving early at your departure point or reserving an in-advance flight. Along these lines, you’ll have sufficient opportunity to check in, go through security checks without speeding using them, and grab hold of a nibble to consume before getting onto your trip without distressing about missing it.

Taking Advantage of Promotions

Airlines, airports, lodges, and other organizations related to journeys put together for the busiest travel day by way of a growing body of workers, including flights or presenting promotions together with discounted airfares or hotel rooms. Understanding which day is the busiest travel day earlier gives travelers the possibility to take gain of those promotions, which can keep their cash and make their ride greater exciting.

Significant occasions adding to the Most active Travel Day

Sunday subsequent to thanksgiving: the single most active air terminal travel day.

The Sunday subsequent to Thanksgiving is alluded to as the single most active air terminal visit day of the year. Millions of people journey at some point during this time, making it a hectic and chaotic enjoyment for many. People are returning domestically from their excursion travels, and because of this that airports are full of vacationers looking to seize their flights back domestically. This day is infamous for long traces, crowded terminals, and not on-time flights.

Thanksgiving Day: A Busy Travel Day

Thanksgiving Day itself is likewise the most active travel day, as numerous people fly out promptly in the first part of the day to arrive at their areas in time for the excursion. While as of now not generally so occupied as the Sunday after Thanksgiving, air terminals see a far and wide blast in site guests on this day.

Assuming you’re visiting on Thanksgiving Day, it’s basic to hold as a top priority that numerous associations might be shut or working on decreased hours because of the getaway. This can make tracking down food or transportation more intense than typical.

Black Friday: Huge Crowds at Airports and Highways

Black Friday sees huge crowds at airports and on highways as human beings journey to take benefit of excursion shopping offers. Many people use this lengthy weekend surrounding Thanksgiving week as an opportunity to buy groceries or take a quick holiday.

If you’re making plans on traveling in the course of Black Friday weekend, it’s critical to be privy to increased traffic both at airports and on highways. Consider booking your flight early or using opportunity modes of transportation inclusive of trains or buses if feasible.

The Long Weekend Surrounding Thanksgiving Week: One of The Biggest Crowds

The lengthy weekend surrounding Thanksgiving week includes the fourth Thursday of November, making it one of the largest crowds and busiest travel days of the 12 months. High volumes of traffic may be predicted on Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

If you’re traveling during this time, it’s essential to plot in advance and book your hotels early. Many hotels and condo homes fill up fast at some stage in this time, so it’s great to stable your accommodations as soon as possible.

Christmas and New Year’s Day: A global phenomenon

Christmas eve festivities.

On December 24th every 12 months, human beings around the sector have fun Christmas Eve with night festivities. In some cultures like Italy and Spain, households gather together for a massive banquet referred to as “La Vigilia” or “Nochebuena.” In other international locations like Germany and Sweden, humans mild candles on their windowsills to welcome Santa Claus or St. Lucia.

New Year’s Day Celebrations

New Year’s Day is well known on January 1st each yr following a weeklong party that starts on December thirty first. This day marks the beginning of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar utilized by maximum nations worldwide.

Pandemic’s Impact on Celebrations

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about considerable disruptions worldwide, which include the way people have fun vacations. Many human beings are deciding to have fun differently these 12 months because of safety issues. Some might also pick to delay their celebrations until spring ruin or a later day on the calendar.

Labor Day in the USA: A significant contributor to Busiest Travel Day

The significance of labor day in the usa.

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the primary Monday of September in the United States. It was created to honor the American hard work motion and the contributions that workers have made to our development, growth, and well-being of us of a. The vacation has emerged as synonymous with barbecues, parades, and a protracted weekend for plenty of Americans. However, it is also one of the busiest travel days within the US due to its proximity to the quiet of summer and the beginning of a new faculty for 12 months.

Business Travel Increases

In addition to enjoying tours during Labor Day weekend, enterprise travel also sees a boom as groups try to wrap up deals earlier than the cease of their economic yr. Many organizations use this long weekend as a possibility for group constructing physical activities or employer retreats seeing that maximum personnel have time off from painting on Monday. Top-notch submits to read about Béis Travel .

Best practices for navigating the Busiest Travel Day with ease

Good practice: plan early and book flights and accommodations in advance.

One of the first-class practices for navigating the busiest tour day quite simply is to begin planning early. This method reserves your flights and hotels well in advance. By doing so, you now not best steady your selected travel dates but also store cash on closing-minute bookings.

Strategize Schedules by Avoiding Peak Hours and Choosing Less Popular Travel Dates

As in the busiest travel day, how can we not talk about Sato Travel which is known for its simplifying travel guides , Another right exercise for navigating the busiest travel day is to strategize schedules by averting peak hours and selecting much less famous journey dates. According to NerdWallet, the average fee of flights for the duration of the busiest travel day is substantially better than on different days. Therefore, it makes experience to keep away from traveling throughout peak hours when demand is excessive.

Instead, take into account journeying all through off-peak hours or choosing less famous journey dates along with weekdays rather than weekends. This now not simplest allows you to store money but also reduces stress degrees related to crowded airports and lengthy strains.

Stay Informed About Flight Delays and Cancellations

Flight delays and cancellations are not unusual occurrences at some stage in the busiest travel day. Therefore, staying informed approximately those issues allow you to navigate them with ease. Make sure to enroll in airline indicators through e-mail or textual content messages so you acquire actual-time updates on any changes in flight schedules.

Check airport websites for records on security wait instances, parking availability, and different relevant info before heading out. This will help you propose your ride as a consequence and avoid any useless delays or frustrations.

Pack Smartly

Packing neatly also can make a massive difference whilst navigating the busiest travel day with no trouble. Make certain to p.C. Handiest the necessities and keep away from overpacking. This now not simplest saves you time at safety checkpoints but additionally reduces the hazard of misplaced or damaged luggage.

Make positive to p.C. A carry-on bag with all of your essential items which include medicines, travel files, and electronic devices. This guarantees that you have everything you need in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Tips for stress-free holiday travel on Busiest Travel Day

Reduce holiday travel stress by booking flights during off-peak hours.

One of the best ways to lessen holiday travel stress is to book flights during off-peak hours. This method wards off height travel instances, which include weekends and holidays, whilst airports are usually crowded and flights are extra expensive. Instead, don’t forget to reserve your flight for a mid-week departure or a red-eye flight. Not only will you keep away from the crowds, but you could additionally shop for money for your airfare.

Avoid Crowds by Arriving at the Airport Early and Using Alternative Transportation Methods

Crowds can be one of the biggest assets of stress. To avoid crowds at the airport, attempt to arrive early and use opportunity transportation techniques ( Nuna Travel system ). If you’re using yourself to the airport, keep in mind the usage of off-website parking centers that offer commute carriers to the terminal. This can save you time and problems as compared to trying to find a parking spot at the airport itself.

Save Money by Packing Light and Taking Advantage of Airline Rewards Programs

Traveling in the course of the vacation may be high-priced, but there are approaches to shopping for money without sacrificing consolation or comfort. One manner is via packing light and heading off checked luggage charges. Most airlines permit passengers one deliver-on bag and one private object, together with a handbag or laptop bag. By packing efficaciously and only bringing what you want, you can keep money on bag fees and keep away from the problem of expecting your luggage at luggage claim.

TSA Regulations Can Be Confusing, so Make Sure to Review Them Before Heading to the Airport

Finally, it’s vital to keep in mind that TSA regulations may be difficult, in particular in case you don’t journey regularly. To avoid any surprises at protection checkpoints, ensure to check TSA guidelines earlier than heading to the airport. This includes guidelines approximately drinks in convey-on luggage, prohibited objects like weapons or explosives, and screening processes for medical devices or other special wishes.

How Airlines and airports prepare for the Busiest Travel Day

Increasing staffing levels to handle big airport crowds.

Airports and airways are nicely aware of the demanding situations that come with the busiest travel day. One of the maximum big demanding situations is handling big airport crowds. To tackle this project, airports increase staffing stages to make sure that they could manage the influx of passengers.

Early Flights Scheduled to Accommodate Fewest Air Travelers

Another way airports put together the busiest travel day is by scheduling early flights to accommodate the fewest air vacationers. This strategy allows for lessening airport crowds all through top hours, making it less complicated for personnel to control passenger glide.

Analyzing Flight Data and Air Travel Patterns

Airports analyze flight records and air journey styles to count on congestion and adjust staffing consequently. This analysis helps them understand which flights are possibly to be behind schedule or canceled because of weather conditions or other elements.

Monitoring TSA Checkpoint Data

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint facts are carefully monitored using airports to discover capacity bottlenecks and reduce flight delays. By reading this information, airports can speedily discover areas wherein extra personnel can be wished for or wherein changes need to be made in security procedures.

Adding or Rescheduling Flights Based on the Demand

Flights are delivered or rescheduled based totally on demand, with home flight searches used to are expecting famous routes. This strategy guarantees that airways can meet calls for even as also reducing congestion at busy airports.

Working with Local Transportation Authorities

Finally, airports work intently with local transportation authorities to ensure good enough floor transportation alternatives for passengers flying in and out. This collaboration helps reduce traffic congestion around airports while also imparting passengers with convenient transportation alternatives. Gather more data about Travel Man Guide .

What is the busiest journey day of the year for driving?

The busiest tour day of the 12 months for driving inside the United States is typically the day earlier than Thanksgiving, also called “Black Wednesday.” This day sees a tremendous boom in site visitors as people journey to be with their households for the holiday.

What is the high-quality journey day?

The great travel day relies upon the man or woman’s choice and tour plans. Generally, midweek days including Tuesday and Wednesday are much less busy and provide inexpensive flight tickets. However, it’s miles vital to test for any most important activities or holidays that could affect journey plans.

What are the busiest journey days at some point in the week?

The busiest tour days during the week are normally Friday and Sunday. Many humans journey on Friday to start their weekend, at the same time as Sunday is the favored day for returning domestically. Monday morning and Thursday afternoon also can be busy due to the enterprise tour.

Jasper Bruxner is a passionate and versatile blogger with a keen eye for trends and a knack for crafting engaging content. As the founder of WendyWaldman.com , he has established himself as a trusted resource in a diverse range of niches, including food, tech, health, travel, business, lifestyle, and news. He tends to share the latest tech news, trends, and updates with the community built around Wendywaldman. His expertise and engaging writing style have attracted a loyal following, making him a respected voice in the online community.

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The busiest day of year at Louisville’s airport draws near. What to know if you're flying

The busiest day for the Louisville airport year after year has been the Sunday following the Run for the Roses, as thousands of racegoers head home.

The Kentucky Derby brings more flights, new nonstop service, and bigger airplanes to accommodate increased flight demand at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport .

In 2023, the airport saw its single busiest day in history on the Sunday after Derby with nearly 18,000 departing seats scheduled, and this year’s expected traffic is neck-and-neck with last year.

If you’re flying in or out of the airport between Wednesday, May 1, and Monday, May 6, expect plenty of company.

Louisville’s main airport expects more traffic than usual starting May 1, with more than 34,000 seats scheduled to arrive between May 1 and 3.

• May 1: 8,500 seats / 74 flights
• May 2: 15,300 seats / 116 flights
• May 3: 10,300 seats / 86 flights

Those daily counts are compared to about 7,000-8,000 on an average day in May.

“That’s a pretty hearty increase over that three-day period,” said Natalie Chaudoin, spokeswoman for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority.  “It’s a festive time for us here at the airport, but it is very busy.”

Seven TSA lanes will be open during Derby week, up from five last year, Chaudoin said. The airport added a sixth lane last summer and has a seventh pop-up lane open during busy times.

The airport also recently wrapped a four-month project that nearly doubled the security queuing area , an early step in the airport’s plans to overhaul its entire security checkpoint . Construction on that overhaul is slated to kick off later this year.

Post-Derby, the airport will see more concentrated traffic as Derby goers look to leave Louisville.

• May 5: Nearly 17,000 departing seats / 120 flights
• May 6: 10,000 departing seats (up 1,500 seats over last year)

“We’re very close and could set a new record this year,” Chaudoin said of departure Sunday figures.

This year’s Derby week traffic is on par with 2023’s numbers:

• Derby week Wednesday-Friday 2023: 34,300 inbound seats 
• Derby week Wednesday-Friday 2024: 34,100 inbound seats
• Departure Sunday 2023: Nearly 18K departing seats / 128 flights
• Departure Sunday 2024: Nearly 17K departing seats/ 120 flights

These figures all represent scheduled seats, not actual confirmed passengers.

Chaudoin encouraged people flying out during Derby week to get to the airport two hours before their flight’s departure time or 2.5 hours before departure if their flight leaves before 8:30 a.m., as many outbound flights are clustered in the early morning hours.

“Even if you’re not on an inbound Derby flight, and say you’re just going on a vacation, it’s going to be busy,” she said.

If you’re picking someone up from the airport, avoid the crowds on the lower level arrivals area and instead pick up your traveler on the upper level.

“We always tell folks to pick people up on the ticketing level, the upper level, where you typically drop people off,” she said. “Have your person get their bag and take the elevator or the steps up that one level and it’s much more seamless.”

Travelers on peak Derby travel days can expect bourbon ball handouts, live music, and Derby decorations as they move through the airport.   

“We’re really proud to be that front door and to show off all the great things about Louisville as soon as they land,” Chaudoin said. “But people need to be prepared that it’s significantly busier than you’ll see at any other point of the year.”

Growth & development reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at [email protected], 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.

These 5 US airports ranked among 2023’s busiest worldwide: report

D ENVER ( KDVR ) — If you’re late to your flight, or just trying to get out of the airport after a long trip, there may be nothing worse than seeing a busy terminal.

There are, of course, some airports that are busier than others, including five U.S. airports that recently ranked among the 10 busiest in the world.

Earlier this week, the Airports Council International (ACI) released its preliminary rankings for the world’s busiest airports in 2023 based on total passenger traffic.

Globally, the report says figures show there were nearly 8.5 billion passengers served in 2023, up more than 27% from 2022. No airport enplaned and deplaned more passengers than Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which retained its No. 1 ranking for another year.

According to ACI, the Atlanta airport saw more than 104.7 million passengers in 2023, or roughly 18 million more than second-ranked Dubai International Airport.

Dubai edged out the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport by roughly 5 million passengers.

The other U.S. airports landing among the top 10 were:

• No. 6 — Denver International: 77.8 million passengers
• No. 8 — Los Angeles International: 75.1 million passengers
• No. 9 — Chicago O’Hare International: 73.9 million passengers

Rounding out the list were airports in London, Tokyo, Istanbul, and New Delhi.

Denver and Chicago, meanwhile, had actually fallen in the rankings since 2022, when they were ranked third and fourth, respectively.

O’Hare saw an 8.1% increase in passengers between 2022 and 2023, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. In a March press release , officials said it marked a four-year high as “sustained passenger growth continues” at O’Hare.

Denver International saw its busiest year on record in 2023 , serving more than 70 million annual passengers for the first time in history. Meanwhile, the airport also saw international travel spike and had its  first month with over 7 million passengers .

But, for both airports, the growth wasn’t enough to out-rank the busiest.

“The continued recovery of travel demand across other regions of the world has attributed to DEN’s drop in the 2023 worldwide rankings,” Denver International said in a press release.

No U.S. airports ranked among the top 10 for international passengers served. When it came to cargo transported, however, the U.S. dominated the top 10, with airports in Memphis, Tennessee; Anchorage; Louisville, Kentucky; Miami; and Los Angeles landing on the list. Memphis came in second behind Hong Kong.

Eight U.S. airports ranked among those with the most “aircraft movements,” or landings and takeoffs: Atlanta, Chicago (O’Hare), Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (LAX), Charlotte, and New York (JFK).

You can view the ACI’s preliminary report here .

If you’re hoping for an on-time flight, you may not want to turn to any of the busiest U.S. airports, based on a recent report from Cirium. The aviation analytics company found that, in 2023, it was Minneapolis-St. Paul International that had the most on-time departures .

Of the busiest airports outlined by ACI, Los Angeles International ranked the highest, with nearly 80% of flights departing on time last year. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta ranked as No. 20 on Cirium’s list, but was close behind at 78.89% of departures being on-time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.

Amazon Prime Day 2024: Here's what to expect, tips, and tricks

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Amazon Prime Day has grown into one of the biggest sales events of the year, with discounts rivaling those of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With so many retailers selling on Amazon, Prime members can save on just about anything, from viral beauty products to new unlocked smartphones.

The best Prime Day deals we saw last year included all-time lows on brands like Apple, Vitamix, iRobot, Dyson, Crocs, and, of course, Amazon-owned products like the Fire TV , Kindle e-reader , and Echo smart speakers . We expect to see more of the same this year as well.

It'll be the first major deal holiday of the year, so it's an awesome chance to score summer discounts on big-ticket items and household staples. The retailer's 10th Prime Day event has officially been announced to arrive in July, but the actual days are still unknown. In the meantime, we're keeping tabs on all of the latest Prime Day news, and we'll keep you updated with our findings here.

• Shop the latest deals at Amazon

When is Amazon Prime Day 2024?

Amazon Prime Day is officially coming this July, though the exact days have not yet been announced. In past years, it kicked off on the second Tuesday of the month. If Amazon follows the same trend, it will take place on July 9 and 10. We'll keep this story updated as more details are announced.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is the retailer's annual mega sale and one of the major benefits of Prime membership. It's a two-day sales event, usually during the summer, that features products from every category, from fashion staples to hot new tech. 

Though it used to be a deal holiday of a much smaller scale, Prime Day has grown exponentially since the first one in 2015. Now, you can find almost everything on sale for all-time low prices, matching discounts we see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

What should I buy during Amazon Prime Day?

Everything is fair game to buy during Amazon Prime Day. Whether you've been holding out on a pricey new TV or just need to stock up on toiletries, Prime Day is a good time to make your move. 

Last year, we saw incredible prices on tech, including 4K TVs , Fire TV streaming devices , Apple products, Kindle e-readers , PC gaming accessories, Echo smart speakers , and top headphones picks. Prime Day tech deals featured brands like Logitech, Bose, Jabra, Sony, Roku, Samsung, TCL, and more. 

If you're looking for style and beauty deals during Prime Day, last year, brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Tatcha, Laneige, Levi's, Carhartt, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Adidas, and Marc Jacobs all featured products at rare low prices. That means skincare, makeup, shoes, men's clothing, women's fashion, and accessories will all be available for less. 

Home and kitchen products saw no shortage of Prime Day deals either, with big names like Dyson, Shark, iRobot, Philips, KitchenAid, Nespresso, Casper, Leesa, and OXO down to all-time lows for the event. So, whether you need an air fryer , robot vacuum , mattress , or just some sturdy mixing bowls, Prime Day is a good time to buy. 

You don't need to be focused on fancy new gadgets or treatments to shop smart during Amazon Prime Day either. We also catch tons of affordable household essentials available for even less every year, like toilet paper, dish soap, doggy bags, and makeup wipes. These deals are sweet, since they save you money on stuff you needed to buy anyway. 

How long do Prime Day deals last?

How long a Prime Day deal lasts differs between items, but in general, the best discounts will start during the event and end before the 48-hour holiday is over. Some will last the whole two days while others will only last one, so it's always wise to act on a good sale when you see it. Lightning deals especially go fast, the most popular of which dwindle away in less than an hour.

I always recommend buying a product you've had your eye on as soon as it's highlighted as a Prime Day deal. Regardless of how long it's set to last, oftentimes the best sales run out of stock, resulting in shipping dates being pushed out, or the deal no longer being offered at all. We'll be providing all of the deal context you need to shop confidently and quickly, so be sure to check our roundups of the best discounts when the event rolls around. 

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is locked to Prime members only. It's one of the major benefits of subscribing to the service, in addition to other perks like free two-day shipping and Prime Video streaming. 

If you have yet to become a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to test it out. Once the official Prime Day dates have been announced, you can even time your free period to overlap with the sale, but it's not a guarantee since sometimes retailers will lock out free members from shopping the best deals.

Do other stores participate in Prime Day?

Although Prime Day is an Amazon-specific event, it's grown so large that other major retailers have started kicking off competing sales to overlap with it. No one has announced a competing Prime Day sale just yet, but if past years are any indication, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy will likely be holding their own events.

These are definitely worth checking out; they often match the best deals on popular items you can find from Prime Day. We'll also be rounding these deals up so you can shop from the retailer that best suits you, whether you're a Target Circle cardholder, My Best Buy Plus member, or Walmart Plus subscriber. 

Is Prime Day an international event?

Prime Day occurs in several other countries, but not all of them. Here's a list of countries where Prime Day will be available to shop:

• Netherlands
• Saudi Arabia
• The United Arab Emirates
• The United States
• The United Kingdom

Want to see what Amazon has on sale right now? We've spotted some hefty price cuts on electronics, fashion, home, kitchen, laptops, and more on its main deals page .

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