Here’s the essence of it: There will be fewer airplanes flying around the country this Thanksgiving, and virtually all of them will be fuller – cock-a-block in some cases. Pack your patience and forget about that empty middle seat.
The Air Transport Association, an industry advocacy group, says it expects some 37,000 fewer people per day will fly this Thanksgiving holiday compared to last. That’s because airlines pummeled by still-high jet-fuel prices have cut seats once again.
In aggregate, ATA projects some 23.2 million of us will fly over the surrounding 12-day holiday. That’s 2 percent fewer than in 2010 when 23.6 million American’s headed to home, hearth, and friends via airplane.
Look back to the boom year of 2006 and the contrast is stark. This year, a full 12 percent fewer of us will fly over Thanksgiving.
Here’s the irreducible equation, the one that affects you. ATA Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich says, “While demand is down from last year and remains well below the 2006 peak, passengers should expect full flights during the Thanksgiving holiday travel season as airlines have begun to reduce capacity and limit he number of seats available for sale, due in part to rising cost pressures.”
What can you so about any of this? Pick the right time to get on the airplane, that’s what. The Air Transport Association expects the busiest travel days will be Sunday Nov. 27, Monday Nov. 28, and Friday Nov. 18. Mark those days in red, because ATA projects load factors—the percentage of seats filled by paying passenger—will be upwards of 85 percent then.
Here’s a tactic: fly in and out fast. If geography and schedules permit, leave extra early on Thanksgiving Day itself, Thursday Nov. 24, and fly out early the next morning, Friday, Nov. 25. Sure, it truncates your trip. But you still could have time for a proper meal with family while beating the madding crowd on the return trip.
Do your Thanksgiving plans entail a flight home? Tell us about them.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Millicent_bystander)
