Thanksgiving Air Travel Set For Record High As Travel Finally Returns To Pre-Pandemic Levels

Topline

Thanksgiving travel by air, boat and car is expected to hit pre-pandemic levels and break records across the board, AAA said Monday , with 79.9 million people expected to venture more than 50 miles away from home between the Tuesday before and Monday after the holiday.

Key Facts

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Crucial Quote

"AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations," Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said.

What Are The Most Popular Thanksgiving Destinations?

Based on AAA booking data from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2, Florida is the most popular domestic destination this Thanksgiving. Of the top 10 places, four are in Florida—Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. Other hot spots are New York City, Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Atlanta. Internationally, the top destinations are Budapest, Hungary; Mexicali, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cancun, Mexico; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Surprising Fact

This Thanksgiving isn't expected to bring a surge in wintertime illness. COVID-19 levels have been receding since September following a summertime surge and respiratory disease levels of COVID, flu and RSV are at pre-pandemic lows .The weekly test positivity rate for COVID in the first week of November was 4.7%, down significantly compared to 9.3% in the same week last year, 6.5% in 2022, 6.3% in 2021 and 10.2% in 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports transmission of COVID, influenza and RSV are low so far this month.

Further Reading Thanksgiving Shopping: A Store Brand Meal Is Nearly $20 Less Than Name Brand, Report Says