Overview
- AAA forecasts about 81.8 million people traveling at least 50 miles through Dec. 1, including roughly 73 million drivers and about 6 million domestic fliers.
- The FAA projects more than 52,000 flights today and the heaviest Thanksgiving air period in 15 years, while TSA expects Sunday, Nov. 30, to rank among its busiest days ever.
- After a 43‑day shutdown, flight restrictions were lifted last week and controller staffing is restored, yet Cirium reports holiday flight bookings are down about 4.5% year over year.
- Airlines plan to carry roughly 31 million passengers and have added capacity, with United and American projecting record or higher volumes, though localized delays have already occurred.
- INRIX warns of the worst road congestion Tuesday–Wednesday afternoons and on Sunday’s return, as forecasters track storms threatening parts of the South, Northern Rockies, Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.