Thanksgiving is the season to enjoy quality time with friends and family, and share laughs and a delicious dinner. But flying to see your loved ones during this holiday period can be hard if not pre-planned.

The American Automobile Association reported that 5.8 million Americans traveled by plane during Thanksgiving in 2024, a figure expected to rise this year.

The visualization above shows how after 2019, Floridians opted more for air travel, with 289,168 people choosing planes as their preferred mode of transportation to get to their Thanksgiving destinations.

This year is expected to be as busy if not more, so it is important to prepare accordingly to avoid delays, missed flights and hours stuck in line that would ruin your festive mood.

As can be seen in the graphic above, the busiest days to fly during Thanksgiving last year at MIA were the Sunday before and the Sunday after as more Floridians are planning week vacations instead of just the weekend.

For a more relaxed experience in the airport, the recommended options are leaving between Monday and Thanksgiving day and coming back the Saturday or the Monday after.

Floridians should also expect the main Florida airports to be busy not only with locals traveling, but also many tourists. Entering the colder months, Americans stuck in the winter often escape their hometowns for the tropical weather Florida still offers during November.

Marcos Moscoso is a UPenn dental school student who travels every year on Thanksgiving to see his family in Miami. He has noticed how every year the airports get busier.

“Traveling now takes more planning than ever,” Marcos says. “My first year I’ll leave a few days before, but now I have to leave a week in advance to avoid the crazy crowds.”

Last year, Florida airports like Orlando International Airport (MCO), Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tampa Florida Airport (TPA) saw millions of passenger traffic in 2024 with Orland amassing 4.6 millions travelers.

The four cities are also on the top most visited during Thanksgiving for their theme parks, beaches and cruises. According to the AAA, Orlando is the at top of the list, Miami second, Fort Lauderdale third and Tampa sixth.

The Thanksgiving season it’s approaching, and to make sure you enjoy your turkey and mashed potatoes, expect a busy airport, check in online, arrive two or three hours early, closely monitor your flight status and pack extra clothes just in case its delayed or cancelled.

Traveling for Thanksgiving in Florida? Here’s what to expect

Flying gets more hectic every year. Here is all the valuable information you might need

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