For many New Yorkers, the journey to the Thanksgiving table involves a little more than a walk down the block. While some are lucky enough to have loved ones just around the corner, others will be navigating planes, trains and automobiles to make it home for the holiday.
And for those taking to the skies from one of the Tri-State area’s major airports — whether that’s LaGuardia, Newark Liberty or JFK — it might be worth building a little extra breathing room into those travel plans.
According to new research from Nomad eSIM, JFK ranked as the second most chaotic airport in the country for Thanksgiving travel, earning a disruption score of 72.66 out of 100. The study analyzed 50 of America’s busiest airports, looking at everything from flight delays and cancellations to passenger volumes and negative traveler reviews across the last three Thanksgiving travel periods (2023–2025).
So, should New Yorkers expect another holiday travel headache this year? Here’s how JFK stacks up, what the research uncovered, and what to keep in mind before heading to the airport.
Why JFK Ranks Second in Holiday Chaos
Across the three-year study period, nearly one in five departing flights (19.52%) at JFK was delayed by at least 15 minutes, with average delays stretching to 69 minutes. Only Chicago O’Hare fared worse nationally, taking the top spot with a score of 96.73 out of 100.
Last Thanksgiving proved especially bumpy for Queens travelers. During the 2025 holiday rush, 23.05% of operated departures at JFK took off late, and the average delay climbed to 75 minutes.
While JFK logged zero Thanksgiving cancellations in both 2023 and 2024, 51 scheduled departures were canceled in 2025—only four of which were caused by weather. Meanwhile, the share of flights delayed by an hour or more jumped from 5.21% in 2024 to 9.41% in 2025, leaving 183 flights sitting on the tarmac or at the gate for at least an hour.
Peak Crowds and Tri-State Comparisons
Delay times are only part of the equation; sheer volume also drives the holiday headache.
More than 646,900 passengers passed through JFK security checkpoints during Thanksgiving week in 2025, up from roughly 608,600 in 2023. The single most crowded day was the Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 30, 2025), when 102,514 travelers moved through screening.
All that congestion has clearly worn on flyers’ patience. Nearly 20% of JFK’s Google reviews are one- or two-star ratings—totaling 10,446 negative reviews out of more than 53,400. Travelers frequently cite limited seating, long customer service lines, and sparse late-night food options when unexpected delays hit.
By comparison, nearby Newark Liberty International Airport ranked ninth nationally with a Chaos Score of 61.30 out of 100, making JFK the tougher Tri-State hub to navigate during the holiday rush.
How to Get Ahead of the Thanksgiving Rush
While historical data can’t guarantee how smoothly this year’s travel week will run, it offers a clear warning to pad your schedule—especially if you are flying out on peak days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or returning on Sunday.
To keep stress to a minimum, check your flight status before leaving for the airport, give yourself extra buffer time for TSA lines and AirTrain transfers, and avoid tight layovers whenever possible. Keeping airline apps downloaded with notifications turned on—and ensuring you have reliable mobile data for rebooking or coordinating rides on the fly—can make all the difference if your gate board starts flashing yellow.
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