The airport with the longest average wait time clocked in at a whopping 54.1 minutes.
How to survive the Thanksgiving travel rush?
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Thanksgiving travel inevitably means long wait times at the airport. This is especially true in Miami, where wait times were longer than at any other major airport last year.
The average peak security wait at Miami International Airport (MIA) was an incredible 54.1 minutes over the Thanksgiving holiday last year, according to a report from Jettly, a private jet booking service. That was nearly a minute longer than the second-highest wait time at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where passengers had to endure an average peak security wait of 53.6 minutes.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York came in third, with an average peak security wait of 53.2 minutes. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) rounded out the top five.
Here's what Jettly said in their report:
"With the holiday season just around the corner, millions of Americans are getting ready to face the crowds at airports. Our analysis of last year's holiday travel can help you plan ahead and navigate the busy travel season with a little more ease."
Last year, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had the highest percentage of delayed flights over the Thanksgiving holiday, with 21.2% of flights taking off later than expected. This was a notable increase compared to Orlando International Airport, which delayed 19.8% of Thanksgiving flights.
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The report suggests that the 2024 holiday travel season could be busy and expensive, with travelers expected to spend more this year. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 28th.
While there are no guarantees, travelers can take steps to increase their chances of avoiding travel issues. Choosing direct flights can reduce the risk of missing a connection and booking early morning flights may improve on-time performance.
Travelers can also try to shorten airport wait times by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. This program allows passengers to keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in their bags when going through security.
And… Don't let airport parking add to your travel woes! Reserve your convenient and affordable off-site parking with our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io. Compare domestic airport parking charges and find the best deals for long-term parking near LAX Airport, cheap parking FLL, and more for your Thanksgiving trip. Reduce stress and start your holiday season right!
