LAX Thanksgiving Travel Chaos: Delays, Crowds, and Expert Tips

Thanksgiving Travel at LAX

• ✈️ LAX experienced its busiest day of the year for Thanksgiving travel, with an estimated 230,000 people passing through.
• ⚠️ A major winter storm caused thousands of flight delays and hundreds of cancellations across the region, with LAX alone seeing over 400 delayed flights and more than 20 canceled.
• 🐾 LAX is noted as the number one airport for traveling with pets, with many furry friends also navigating the holiday rush.

Traveler Experiences and Airport Operations

• 🐱 One traveler shared their cat, Kitty, who was calm and even had a Christmas ornament, ready for their journey.
• ✈️ Delays were attributed to winter weather in hubs like Chicago and some air traffic control issues, though the situation was described as mild to medium.
• 🤝 Passenger assistance staff were actively helping with check-in and luggage, providing a welcomed relief during the hectic travel period.
• 🥧 Airport police reported that the most common items left on TSA conveyor belts were food containers with Thanksgiving leftovers like turkey, mashed potatoes, and pies.

Travel Expert Advice for Future Trips

• 💡 Travel expert Julian Keel noted that the cost of Christmas flights is currently down but advised booking soon as prices are expected to rise.
• 🗓️ The cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesday and Wednesday, while Friday and Sunday are the most expensive due to business travel.
• 💰 Travelers can track flight prices using tools like Google Flights and may be eligible for refunds or travel credits if their booked flight price decreases, by using the 'change flight' option on airline websites.
• ✈️ This advice is useful for navigating future holiday travel, including upcoming Christmas and New Year's periods.