The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing for an exceptional surge in air travel during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday. According to FAA projections, the busiest day of the holiday travel period is expected to be Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with an anticipated 52,185 flights.
Thanksgiving travel week is expected to start strong on Monday, November 24, with 48,173 flights, followed by 50,130 flights on Wednesday, November 26. Flight volumes dip sharply on Thanksgiving Day itself, Thursday, November 27, to 25,611 flights, before climbing again over the weekend: 41,560 flights on Friday, November 28, 46,288 on Saturday, November 29, and 51,268 on Sunday, November 30.
The travel period continues into Monday, December 1, with 49,676 flights and wraps up on Tuesday, December 2, with 47,423 flights.
Overall, the FAA forecasts more than 360,000 flights during this window, marking the busiest Thanksgiving period in 15 years. This surge will put pressure on airlines and airports, affecting everything from slot management and ground operations to baggage handling and passenger services.
To manage the increased traffic, air traffic controllers will implement a variety of strategies designed to keep the national airspace system running safely and efficiently.
“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” the FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford praised the team’s preparedness.
“Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely,” Bedford concluded.
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