So you’re flying to see family or friends this Thanksgiving. Good idea, as the skies are infinitely safer than the highways.
So what airports look to be least—and most—crowded this fast-approaching holiday? Orbitz did an analysis and here’s what it found.
Los Angeles International overtook Chicago O’Hare as the busiest aerodrome in the country this Thanksgiving. With LAX first, and ORD second, Orlando International rounded out the top three.
Interestingly, two usually chock-a-block airports dropped off the Top Ten Busiest roster: Washington Regan National and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. Year-in, and year-out ATL is the world’s busiest airport.
In search of a little more breathing room? If you live out west, or are headed there, know that Orbitz ranks Mineta San Jose International, Maui’s Kahului Airport, and Orange County California’s John Wayne Airport as the county’s least busy airports this Thanksgiving.
Flying is all about alternatives, opening up options. If you live in or near the Big Apple you should know that all three of the area’s main commercial airports are on the busiest list: LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark Liberty International. If you’re in the northern reaches of the Tri-State region, Hartford’s Bradley International might be a good option.
If you’re flying to or from northern California, the Bay Area’s best bet this year just might be San Jose, perhaps even Sacramento. Those two airports are also among the least busy.
Airport selection is just one way to ease your passage this Thanksgiving. Cheapflights suggests:
- Printing out your boarding pass at home, before you head to the airport. Depending on the airline and the airport you might also be able to download that boarding pass to your smart phone or PDA.
- Take public transportation to the airport. Parking lots could be packed. If you’re planning on hopping a shuttle van, call well ahead for reservations.
- Conform with all the TSA strictures regarding what you can carry on board. Go beyond that and pack exceedingly light, just one small carry-on. Pittsburgh International lets fliers with just one item use an express security line.
- Before you leave on your trip call family or friends and tell them to use the arrival airport’s cell phone lot. They can wait there for your call them once you’re on the ground, then swoop in curbside so you can hop in the car and head to home and hearth (saves lots of terminal-circling angst).
What are your Thanksgiving travel survival tactics?
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: monkeytime)
