Thanksgiving Travel Surge: Record 82 Million Travelers Expected, New TSA Fee Proposal

Thanksgiving Travel Forecast

• ✈️ A record 82 million people are expected to travel this week for Thanksgiving, making it the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years.
• 🚗 AAA anticipates approximately 6 million people will travel by road, contributing to the overall surge.
• 🗓️ Tuesday is projected to be the peak day for air travel, with over 52,000 flights scheduled nationwide.

Airport and Airline Preparations

• 📈 Major hubs like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are preparing for nearly 2.5 million passengers during the Thanksgiving window.
• ⏳ Airlines have added seats and staff to manage the surge but are advising travelers to build in extra time due to potential longer lines and weather delays.
• ⚠️ Flyers should be aware of potential weather delays and full flights impacting their travel plans.

New TSA REAL ID Fee Proposal

• 💳 The TSA is proposing a new fee of $18 for travelers who do not possess a REAL ID.
• 🛂 This fee would cover an identity check using biometric kiosks, with approval valid for 10 days, typically covering a short round trip.
• ✅ Travelers with a REAL ID (marked with a gold star) or a passport would be exempt from this proposed fee.
• ⏳ Obtaining a REAL ID before the holiday is challenging due to long DMV wait times, making it a consideration for future travel like Christmas.