As we turn the page to November, the smell of stuffing and the sounds of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are just around the corner. But before we can settle into that cozy holiday rhythm, there’s one hurdle standing between us and the feast—the great Thanksgiving travel rush.
Last year’s Thanksgiving travel season broke records, and this year is on track to be even busier. According to NerdWallet, bookings for Thanksgiving flights from the U.S. are already up 2.2% compared to 2024–with Kayak reporting a 10% surge in flight searches year over year.
In other words, you’re going to want to brace yourself for airport crowds. The bright side: experts at NerdWallet and Kayak have pinpointed the smartest days to travel if you want to save time, money, and sanity.
The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving
The Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 30) is once again expected to be the single busiest travel day of the entire year, according to NerdWallet and TSA data.
In 2024, more than 3.09 million people passed through airport security on that Sunday–the second time in U.S. history that more than 3 million travelers flew in a single day. That record has since been topped only once, in June 2025.
With passenger numbers already hitting all-time highs this year, 2025’s post-Thanksgiving Sunday could easily surpass them again.
Meanwhile, the day before Thanksgiving–Wednesday, November 26–is projected to be the busiest departure day for domestic travelers, per Kayak’s 2025 Holiday Travel Insights.
The Least Crowded (and Often Cheapest) Days to Fly
If you’re hoping to dodge the chaos, experts suggest traveling outside the Wednesday-Sunday rush.
According to NerdWallet’s analysis of TSA data from 2021-2024, these are the least crowded and most affordable days to fly:
Before Thanksgiving:
- ✅ Saturday, November 22 (least crowded)
- ✅ Monday, November 24
- ✅ Thursday, November 20
After Thanksgiving:
- ✅ Wednesday, December 3 (least crowded)
- ✅ Tuesday, December 2
- ✅ Friday, November 28 (Black Friday)
And if you can swing it, Thanksgiving Day itself (Thursday, November 27) is historically the quietest airport day of the week–likely because most travelers are already carving turkey instead of boarding planes.
In 2024, just 1.6 million people flew on Thanksgiving Day, which is nearly half the number who traveled the Sunday after.
Why Flying the Sunday After Thanksgiving Is So Brutal
The Sunday rush isn’t just about crowds–it’s also about cost.
Because demand is sky-high, fares climb fast. But there’s a small silver lining: according to Cirium, airlines are offering 250,000 more seats this Thanksgiving season–a 2% boost in capacity. That means a bit more supply, even if demand is still through the roof.
Still, experts warn: avoid flying home Sunday if you can. Extending your trip just one or two days can save hundreds and make for a far calmer airport experience.
Smarter Thanksgiving Itineraries to Save Money
If your work schedule is flexible, your best bet is to fly out Monday, November 24 and return midweek after the holiday.
This travel pattern avoids peak fares and the most congested days according to both Kayak and Expedia’s Air Hacks 2025 report, which also notes that morning flights are 57% less likely to be canceled than those after 9 pm.
Another underrated option? Fly on Black Friday. You’ll skip the retail crowds and the airport rush while scoring cheaper fares.
Thanksgiving 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel seasons in recent memory–but with smart planning, you can avoid the worst of it.