Air traffic controllers are preparing for more than 52,000 flights on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration says it’s preparing for the heaviest Thanksgiving air travel in 15 years, with over 360,000 flights expected to take off during the holiday period.
The agency said Tuesday, Nov. 25, will be the busiest travel day, with more than 52,000 flights scheduled.
“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,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement. “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.”
The FAA said air traffic controllers will use a range of tools and traffic-management strategies to keep flights moving safely through the national airspace system.
Travelers can find updated guidance, including airport status, packing rules and TSA screening tips, on the FAA’s Holiday Travel webpage.
Passengers should ensure they’re following the 3.4-ounce limit for liquids in carry-on bags and check TSA.gov or @AskTSA on social media with any questions about what items are allowed through security.
Travelers are also reminded to enroll or double-check their TSA PreCheck status, and ensure they have their REAL IDs or other acceptable IDs, to help speed up screening.
The Department of Transportation has also launched a new customer service dashboard to help passengers understand airline policies during delays or cancellations.
“Remember to be patient, be kind and follow crewmember instructions,” the FAA said.