Washington, D.C.- The Federal Aviation Administration is gearing up for the busy Thanksgiving travel time and is ready to get more than 360,000 flights to their destinations.
We expect this Thanksgiving holiday travel period to be the busiest in 15 years, with Tuesday, Nov. 25 being the peak travel day with more than 52,000 flights.
“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,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely."
Air traffic controllers will use a variety of strategies to help flights move safely through the national airspace. For holiday travel tips and information, check out our newly updated Holiday Travel page. There you can learn how to plan ahead and pack safe. You can also read about the Department of Transportation’s new campaign on civility in the air. Remember to be patient, be kind and follow crewmember instructions.
Thanksgiving Day Weather Forecast
Forecasts call for a storm system to bring rain to the Northeast by mid-next week, with showers lingering through Thanksgiving Day. Gusty winds may stick around after the system passes and temperatures are expected to drop as the day progresses. We expect a cold and windy day across the Great Lakes region and some wind and rain out in Seattle. The rest of the U.S. should see mild temperatures, with a chance of showers in Southern Florida. For real-time updates at U.S. airports due to staffing, weather, or other factors, please visit fly.faa.gov and check with your airline before going to the airport.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade TFR
The airspace surrounding the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route in New York City will be under a temporary flight restriction (TFR) from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. local time on Thursday Nov. 27. We remind all pilots to check and verify Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) before every flight. Drone operators who enter the restricted areas without permission could face drone confiscation, fines and potential criminal prosecution. Visit the FAA's TFR website for more information.
ICYMI
Due to an increase in staffing levels at air traffic facilities, the FAA lifted flight restrictions on Monday morning and resumed normal operations across the National Airspace System. Thank you to all air traffic controllers, technicians and FAA employees who worked during the shutdown to ensure the continuous safe flow of air travel. We also greatly appreciate the airlines, airports and other stakeholders working diligently to minimize shutdown impacts across the National Airspace System.
The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You: DOT unveils new civility campaign ahead of busy holiday travel season intended to jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel. This won’t just make the travel experience better for the flying public – it will ensure the safety of passengers, gate workers, flight attendants, and pilots.
