Traveling Consumers Should Expect Thanksgiving Crush

Travelers using airplanes to go over rivers and through woods during next week's Thanksgiving holiday may be in for full flights during the holiday.

The American Transport Association, an industry group run by the airlines, expects flights to average 90% full during the period -- an increase over this year's already-crowded 80%. Serious delays have crippled carriers like JetBlue and US Airways over the last several years, and both spent an enormous amount of time and resources overcoming the perception of standing passengers. Doing so during the busiest travel time of the year could be devastating for a carrier.

Our hints:


-- Check with your airline now. Today. Make sure you know the flight, hold a seat assignment and when you need to check luggage. If you live in a major city with more than one airport, make sure you know which airport you are flying from. Yes, it happens.

-- Try to check-in for your flight from home on the day of travel. This is sometimes possible even if you're checking bags. If you can get away with carry-on only, do that, but make sure you know the airline and TSA's rules for carry-on luggage. Keep that 3-1-1 rule in mind!

-- The TSA also offers security line checkpoint waiting time on the web. See if you can view that on a web-enabled phone. Information will be power.

-- Get to the airport early. Even if you're a frequent traveler who knows all the tricks and tips, you'll be traveling with thousands or tens of thousands who don't. At a minimum, double your travel time.

-- Keep up your good spirits. There will likely be traffic delays. There could be weather delays. Either will have a ripple effect throughout the system. Roll with the punches, and don't stress too much.

-- Coming home may be even trickier. Some people are leaving early and some are leaving late to get to their destination, but just about everyone you can think of is coming home in the same tiny window. Remember that for your trip home.

90% load factors are huge. That means there won't be space for multiple carry on bags, there will be long delays and lines just to board and checked bags will take that much longer to get to the carousel. The large number also means that your options may be much more limited if you miss your flight so be sure to allow plenty of time for parking and traffic to the airport.

Labels: airline, airport

posted by George Bounacos at 1:13 PM |