New York City, November 24, 2024 – New York City’s three major airports are gearing up for a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel week, with more than 4 million passengers expected to pass through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. Officials have described this as one of the busiest travel seasons in history, as millions of residents and visitors head out for the holiday.
“This is one of the busiest travel seasons we’ve ever seen,” said Rick Cotton, Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. To meet the surging demand, airlines have added extra flights and increased capacity on popular routes, giving travelers more options. However, officials are warning passengers to plan ahead, as the sheer volume of travelers is expected to create congestion both at the airports and on surrounding roadways.
Travelers are being encouraged to arrive at the airport at least three hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures. Public transit options such as the AirTrain, subways, and buses are being strongly recommended to avoid traffic delays and minimize the environmental impact of increased holiday travel.
Airport officials and security personnel are working to ensure smooth operations during this busy period. Additional staff have been deployed to assist travelers, and new self-service check-in kiosks and automated security lanes are being utilized to help ease the flow of passengers.
For many, Thanksgiving marks the start of a busy holiday season, and the record travel numbers reflect a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity—and in some cases, even higher. “We’re seeing a strong rebound in travel this year, with families eager to reunite for the holidays,” Cotton said.
Travelers at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark expressed both excitement and cautious optimism as they prepared for their trips. “I know it’s going to be crowded, but I’m looking forward to spending time with family,” said Karen Reynolds, who was traveling to Florida for Thanksgiving.
While officials anticipate some delays due to the volume of passengers, they remain confident in the infrastructure improvements and operational changes made to handle the influx. Travelers are urged to stay patient, follow guidelines, and check flight statuses frequently for updates.
As the holiday week unfolds, NYC’s airports stand as a hub of energy and activity, connecting millions of people with loved ones and kicking off the Thanksgiving celebrations on a high note.
