Flying home for Thanksgiving? Before you grab your carry-on, check out which U.S. airports might gobble up your holiday travel plans with security delays and flight holdups.
New Report: These Airports Will Likely Have the Longest Wait Times at Thanksgiving
Published on Nov. 21, 2024
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time for Americans across the country to gather together with family and friends to count their blessings, but airport security checkpoint chaos and flight delays can curse the best-laid plans. Glacially moving lines can make your blood run cold as the minutes to takeoff time tick down, while delayed flights mean more hours feasting on overpriced airport snacks instead of Mom’s homemade pumpkin pie.
As Tolstoy noted, each family has its own set of unique troubles—and U.S. airports this time of year are no exception. The private-jet-booking platform Jettly has released a study detailing which airports posed the biggest headaches for travelers hopscotching across the country over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2023. Some experienced epic security wait times, while others were plagued by frustrating flight delays—and several on the list battled both. Read on to find out if your departure airport this year might require a little extra time and a whole lot of patience.
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How were the airports with the longest wait times determined?
Jettly analyzed data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Customs and Border Protection covering America’s 34 largest airports during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday. Using this information, the platform determined the average peak wait time for travelers in TSA lines and the percentage of overall flight delays.
Which airports had the longest wait times last Thanksgiving?
Miami (MIA) may be synonymous with a laid-back vibe, but during Thanksgiving 2023, Miami International Airport was giving holiday horror story. MIA ranked as the U.S. airport with the longest average peak security wait time—a soul-deadening 54.1 minutes.
Other major cities didn’t’ fare much better. Los Angeles (LAX) clocked in at an average of 53.6 minutes, while on the East Coast, New York City’s JFK left eager travelers cooling their heels for an average of 53.2 minutes at TSA checkpoints. Rounding out the top five, Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) hit 49.7 minutes, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) crawled at 48.8 minutes. To add insult to injury, FLL also took home the dubious honor of highest percentage of delayed flights during Thanksgiving, with a hefty 21.2% of flights behind schedule.
Carol Naquin, a Chicago-based leisure luxury and corporate travel specialist with Travel Experts, explains the interconnected reasons why certain locations struggled with problems more than others. “Some airports continue to experience issues with staffing shortages since the end of COVID,” she says.
For others, staffing challenges are compounded by employee scheduling issues. “The workers also want to have their holidays off,” Naquin notes. And there’s always the risk that crucial employees, like air traffic controllers or baggage handlers, could fall ill or stage sick-outs during peak travel dates.
Naquin points out that multiple airports across the country simply aren’t equipped to handle the huge holiday influx of travelers: “Their flights increased faster than they could build new facilities to handle them,” she says.
Airports with the longest peak wait times
These 10 airports had the longest peak wait times, on average, during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday:
- Miami International (MIA), Fla.: 54.1 minutes
- Los Angeles International (LAX), Calif.: 53.6 minutes
- John F. Kennedy International (JFK), N.Y.: 53.2 minutes
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), Wash.: 49.7 minutes
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), Fla.: 48.8 minutes
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Ill.: 47.7 minutes
- Newark Liberty International (EWR), N.J.: 46.2 minutes
- George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Texas: 45.7 minutes
- Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), Hawaii: 45.5 minutes
- San Francisco International (SFO), Calif.: 43.7 minutes
Airports with the most flight delays
These 10 airports had the greatest percentage of delayed flights during Thanksgiving 2023:
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), Fla.: 21.2%
- Orlando International (MCO), Fla.: 19.8%
- Newark Liberty International (EWR), N.J.: 18.6%
- Harry Reid International (LAS), Nev.: 17.8%
- San Antonio International (SAT), Texas: 17.2%
- Tampa International (TPA), Fla.: 17%
- Sacramento International (SMF), Calif.: 17%
- John F. Kennedy International (JFK), N.Y.: 17%
- Chicago Midway International (MDW), Ill.: 17%
- San Francisco Bay Oakland International (OAK), Calif.: 16.6%
Are these airports likely to have similar problems in 2024?
Some of the major hubs and airports that were inundated with significant issues last Thanksgiving could face similar challenges this year, given that they consistently handle the highest passenger volumes. Although Naquin does not foresee any new complications adding to the havoc, she notes that unexpected problems could pop up anywhere at any time. Many of last year’s issues were computer-related, she says, explaining that every year, “many flight delays are caused by weather, either snow or thunderstorms or other acts of nature, that are hard to predict.”
How can you have a smoother travel experience around Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving travel is already stressful, and the added hassle of long security lines and potential flight delays can make it even more of a headache. Fortunately, a bit of advance planning can help reduce the chances of problems ruining your trip and can make the journey smoother.
Carefully consider which carrier to fly
According to travel adviser Naquin, selecting a reliable airline is the most important factor when booking a flight for Thanksgiving. “A major carrier may be pricier, but they are the most reliable option for something as important as a family holiday,” she says.
While low-cost carriers initially may seem like a good deal, the buyer should beware since they often come with add-ons that affect the final price, such as luggage and seat selection fees. Major airlines can also often handle issues like mechanical problems better. “That low-cost carrier may not have a backup plane or mechanics available, and the whole trip will be canceled, [but] a major carrier will have many other options, such as other planes that may be brought in or rerouting ideas to get people on their way,” Naquin says.
Preplan your security-line strategy
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can save time by providing access to dedicated security lanes that are usually more efficient. More and more airports, including O’Hare in Chicago and JFK in New York City, now offer biometric options for TSA PreCheck travelers. These methods are quicker because they involve eye scans or facial recognition, which don’t require travelers to show IDs, passports or boarding passes.
Opt for direct flights
Fewer connections means fewer chances for potential problems. While direct flights can be more expensive, they might be worth the splurge if you need to get where you’re going quickly.
If you must connect, take your time
“My advice to anyone connecting is to give yourself a longer layover,” Naquin says. And if you miss that connection? “Do not stress,” she insists. “The service centers at the airport are [staffed with] professionals, and they are prepared to take care of your needs on the spot.”
Naquin adds that it’s important to remain calm and remember that “workers wish you were not in the current situation, and they are trying to help you more than you realize.”
Don’t travel home on Sunday
According to Naquin, the Sunday after Thanksgiving historically is the busiest travel day of the entire year in the United States. If you can, skip traveling on this day to significantly reduce the risk of encountering long security lines and flight delays.
Fly early in the day
Airport issues are often cumulative, so temporary weather events or other problems can lead to cascading delays as the day goes on. Try to choose flights that leave earlier rather than later to increase the chances of on-time flights.
Consider smaller airports
Flying into and out of smaller airports is a great alternative for avoiding some of the Thanksgiving rush. Los Angeles has Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB) and Ontario (ONT) airports (instead of LAX); New York City has Islip (ISP) on Long Island and Stewart (SWF) in New Windsor (rather than JFK, LaGuardia and Newark); and Washington, D.C., has Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) as an alternative to Dulles (IAD).
Accept delays as part of the trip
Naquin recommends patience with delays, no matter how frustrating they can be—they’re often implemented for good reason. “Always remember that rule one in airline travel is your safety and the safety of your crew,” she says. “It is not something that you have control over.”
Pack patience and humor this Thanksgiving
Travel over the holidays can be rough. Many Thanksgiving travelers are unfamiliar with flying, which can add to confusion at airports, so Naquin emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive frame of mind. “Anxiety is prevalent during this peak travel time, especially if there are cancelations or delays,” she says, “but understanding and a helping hand can make a difference in the entire experience.”
About the expert
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on Thanksgiving air travel delays, Aaron Rasmussen tapped his experience as a longtime travel writer and travel guidebook editor to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Jettly: “Airports with the Longest Security Lines During the Holidays”
- Carol Naquin, Chicago-based leisure luxury and corporate travel specialist with Travel Experts; interviewed, November 2024
- Generali Global Assistance: “The Worst Airports for Flight Delays in the United States and Around the World”
