How bad is Thanksgiving for air travel?

[idontknow]

I'm at the beging of planning a family reunion to WDW! My mom said that she thought Thanksgiving would be a good time since most of us would have a long weekend, but she is worried about getting to Orlando by plane during that time. Would it be better to leave the night before, or on Thanksgiving? Or am I just nuts to even think of traveling at that time?

I read a post the other day about air prices during that time being high. Is this normal, since it is a holiday?

 

[FergieTCat]

I'm flying November 21st from New York to West Palm Beach. The airfare was higher (I'm paying $200 one way on JetBlue -- which, btw, is the lowest non-stop, one way airfare out of New York on that date, as far as I know). I'm sure there will be a lot more people travelling that day, and my concession was to fly out of JFK rather than LaGuardia. LaGuardia is not known for getting flights out on time in good weather on an off day, let alone on a holiday.

I think I've only flown to Florida once before over the Thanksgiving Holiday, but it was over 10 years ago and I don't remember it being particularly horrible (then again, my memory is so bad that yesterday is a little foggy!)

Donna

 

[castmbr]

We flew out of Milwaukee last year on T-day in the a.m. It was wonderful at the airport in Milwaukee, no one was around. Orlando seemed a little less busy, but not much less than usual. It seemed to us to be a nice day to travel.

 

[diskids2]

Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for airtravel all year long with the Sunday after Thanksgiving the busiest day of the year.

We will be traveling from LaGuardia to Orlando on 11/15 and chose to return home on Saturday 11/24, hoping to beat out some of the traffic. Our expectation is busy airports crowded planes and possible delays.

good luck

 

[NancyIL]

I've flown to Orlando on Thanksgiving Day the last 3 years, and it's less busy than the days right before the holiday. I've also waited until the Tuesday or Wednesday after Thanksgiving to fly home. Fewer crowds that way and also less expensive.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

the tues/wed before thanksgiving and the sunday after are the busiest travel days. the single most heavily traveled day of the year is the sunday after thanksgiving. in fact the thanksgiving holiday week is the busiest travel time for flying.
people book that week the day they can get a seat.

 

[skeezixspud]

I've flown on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day, both times airports were virtually empty. The day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after it are hell on earth for crowds and delays. (And for prices as well.) If you could start the trip on Thanksgiving day itself and go home the middle of the following week, it shouldn't be too bad.
On-site rooms for that Thu thru Sun may be tough to get; that's a popular time at WDW.

 

[idontknow]

Thanks so much, I was hoping you would say that T-day would be alright. That's what we were hoping for. (or atleast not the mob we are imagining for the Tues and Wed before T-day)

Unfortunately, we are flying back on Sunday. I'm trying to get a head count so we can get our air tickets asap. I've booked CS because the AS are all sold out for that time. (I'll keep checking back, though) My DC discount worked out pretty good though. $1583 for 4 rooms, 3 nights, and 4 extra adults in the rooms.

Thanks again!

 

[faith]

Hi Idontknow! Does ATA airlines fly out of your state? They had great prices when they were here in Michigan, but not available to us anymore. If there is any way at all your group can NOT fly on the Sunday after; you'll get a much better price. Hope your family has a great time.