Airport Delays Likely to Intensify Ahead of Thanksgiving, Experts Warn

Air travel in early November has been relatively smooth, largely because airlines have been operating with lower passenger loads than usual for this time of year. The reduced “load factor” has given carriers a buffer to absorb recent scheduling hiccups, staffing shortages, and occasional technical glitches without causing major disruptions for travelers.However, that cushion is set to disappear as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. By the end of the month, airlines expect a sharp rise in the number of passengers booked on each flight, pushing load factors well above the 80‑percent mark that many carriers consider the tipping point for operational strain. “When planes are half‑empty, we have more flexibility to re‑accommodate passengers if a gate is delayed or a crew member calls out,” said Maria Delgado, a senior analyst at aviation consultancy AeroInsights. “Once the cabins fill up, even a minor delay can cascade into a significant ripple effect across the network.”Several factors are converging to amplify the risk of widespread delays:* Higher demand: Thanksgiving remains one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, with the Travel Association estimating that more than 150 million trips will be taken over the holiday weekend, a substantial increase over the typical November travel volume.* Weather volatility: Early winter storms are already affecting the Midwest and Northeast, and forecasters warn that a series of low‑pressure systems could bring snow and strong winds to major hubs such as Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, and New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports.* Crew shortages: Ongoing labor disputes and a lingering shortage of qualified pilots and flight attendants have left many airlines operating with tighter staffing margins. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that crew availability is currently at 92 % of pre‑pandemic levels, a shortfall that becomes critical when flights are fully booked.* Technology bottlenecks: Recent outages in airline reservation and baggage handling systems have highlighted the fragility of the digital infrastructure that underpins modern airport operations. A repeat of these glitches could exacerbate queue times on the tarmac and in terminals.Airports across the country are already taking pre‑emptive steps. Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson International Airport has increased its runway staffing and is preparing additional gate assignments to handle the surge. Meanwhile, Dallas/Fort Worth International is urging passengers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures.Airlines are urging travelers to be proactive. “Check your flight status frequently, consider enrolling in airline alert programs, and keep an eye on weather updates,” advised Delgado. “If you have flexibility, traveling a day earlier or later can make a big difference.”While the exact scale of the upcoming disruptions remains uncertain, the consensus among industry experts is clear: the combination of fuller planes, harsher weather, and limited staffing means that the smooth sailing seen in early November is unlikely to continue through the Thanksgiving rush. Passengers should prepare for longer wait times, possible re‑bookings, and the occasional flight cancellation as the holiday travel season reaches its peak.