Thanksgiving Holiday Air Travel Tips
Taking Thanksgiving Flights With a Minimum of Stress, Cost
Nov 1, 2009
Thanksgiving trips can turn into a nightmare, though, if they’re not planned out. Thanksgiving flights are overbooked, flights over the holidays are expensive, airport parking is a nightmare, and security lines extend out of the airport. All these obstacles to a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend can be overcome with a little foresight.
Planning Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Dates
No one should book a flight for Thanksgiving eve, the heaviest traveled day of the year, but people do. For many, Thanksgiving vacations don't start until Wednesday night, so the after 6 pm Thanksgiving flights are jammed. Traveling on Thanksgiving day used to be a great alternative, but many people have caught on to this, and the early Thanksgiving day flights may also be crowded, although not as crowded as the Thanksgiving eve flights.
Direct flights are usually more expensive than flights that have layovers or plane changes, and early morning flight and late evening flights are usually cheaper than those at more reasonable hours, but Thanksgiving eve flights will be priced highest, to catch those who have to work the day of their Thanksgiving trip. All flights over the holidays will be more expensive than normal airfares.Those who don't mind being late for dinner can take a late afternoon flight on Thanksgiving. These flights will be empty and considerably cheaper.
Buying Thanksgiving Airfare
Thanksgiving airfare can be expensive, since airlines usually raise prices at peak travel times. Before buying a ticket, check all the online websites that specialize in cheap airfare, such as Booking Buddy, Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity for slightly cheaper Thanksgiving airfare. Check airline websites as well; their flights over the holidays may be priced as low or lower than those on the discount sites. Thanksgiving airfare is rarely a bargain, so don’t wait until prices drop to rock bottom or all the Thanksgiving flights may be sold out.
Thanksgiving Eve Travel
If it’s absolutely necessary to be on a Thanksgiving eve flight, don’t despair. Check in online, since the earlier the check in, the less likelihood of being bumped if the flight is oversold. Early check in is especially important when flying on Southwest Airlines, which doesn’t assign seats and boards by the number received at check in, which opens 24 hours before the scheduled flight time.
Southwest recently started a new program where travelers can pay an additional $10 for Southwest to check them in ahead of time. If there’s any chance of forgetting to check in for Thanksgiving flights in the Thanksgiving holiday travel excitement, pay the extra $10 for the piece of mind!
Get to the airport with time to spare. Security lines will be long, and lots of inexperienced travelers will be starting their Thanksgiving trips. Checking in online means skipping the check in desk, which is often the biggest snafu of Thanksgiving travel. Only people who need to check luggage or need boarding passes need to go there; don’t be one of them.
Once in the security line, keep an eye out for travel novices. Flights on holidays draw lots of people who don’t normally fly and don’t know how to navigate security. Don’t get behind them; choose another line!
Don’t check luggage. If you can help it, don’t carry it on either. Thanksgiving flights are packed, and overhead bin space is very short. Ship it on ahead instead. The cost is no more than the airline luggage surcharge, and the airlines can’t lose it! Expect flight delays. Thanksgiving travel is often delayed because of the backup from the sheer volume of Thanksgiving flights, especially if the weather is an issue, as it often is over Thanksgiving weekend.
Stay the Whole Thanksgiving Weekend
If at all possible, stay put for the entire Thanksgiving weekend and fly home early Monday morning rather than Sunday night, whose booking are rivaled only by those of Thanksgiving eve. While Mondays are usually crowded days to fly also, they’ll be less crowded than those leaving at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. Don’t get too caught up in the Thanksgiving vacation and forget to check in online as early as possible for the trip home!
Thanksgiving Travel is Less Stressful When Thanksgiving Flights are Planned Out
Thanksgiving trips can be stressful, especially when they involve catching flights over the holidays. Starting early, avoiding last minute dashes to the airport, and sending luggage on ahead can help ease the tension and make the whole Thanksgiving holiday travel experience much more fun.
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