The airport with the most lengthy average wait time clocked in at an astonishing 54.1 minutes…
Thanksgiving travel: is your airport on the worst list?
Source: Andrés Dallimonti/Unsplash
Thanksgiving travel inevitably means long wait times at airports, and this is especially true in Miami. Last year, the wait times at Miami International Airport (MIA) were longer than any other major airport.
During the Thanksgiving holiday last year, the average peak security wait at MIA was a whopping 54.1 minutes, according to a report from Jettly, a private jet booking service. This was nearly a minute longer than the 2nd-highest wait time at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where passengers had to wait an average of 53.6 minutes at peak times.
In 3rd place was New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), 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 5.
Jettly's report states the following:
"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 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 (MCO), which delayed 19.8% of Thanksgiving holiday flights.
Source: Paul Flatten/Unsplash
By the way… While some delays are unavoidable, there are ways to prepare. Booking early flights and choosing direct routes can help minimize potential issues. Plus, our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, can also help ease your travel woes! We offer convenient long-term parking near Miami Airport, affordable Seattle Airport valet parking, and a variety of budget-friendly off-site parking options near other major airports across the United States. So just skip the high airport parking fees and enjoy a more relaxed start to your Thanksgiving holiday with our service!
The upcoming 2024 holiday travel season is shaping up to be busy and expensive, with travelers expected to spend more this year. Thanksgiving falls on November 28th.
While there are no guarantees, travelers can increase their chances of avoiding potential travel issues by choosing direct flights, which can reduce the chances of missing a connection. In addition, booking early morning flights often results in higher on-time performance rates.
Travelers can also try to shorten their airport wait times by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. This program allows passengers to leave their shoes, belts, and light jackets on, as well as keep their laptops and liquids in their bags when going through security.
