Travelers experience flight delays and increased road traffic following Thanksgiving

SAN ANTONIO - Sunday is expected to be one of the busiest travel days recorded with millions of people going back home after Thanksgiving. Travelers in San Antonio said they saw flight delays and increased road traffic.

“Departure line was all the way out, almost to 281,” said Ryan Natoli who is traveling back to Chicago.

The Transportation Security Administration estimated the San Antonio International Airport would see 43,618 people on Sunday. That’s more than any other day during Thanksgiving week, and almost 7,000 more people than the airport saw on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, last year.

“Yeah, we’re delayed a half hour right now,” said Natoli.

Natoli said after coming to San Antonio to visit his parents for Thanksgiving, he hopes the delays don’t increase, like what happened in 2022 when some airlines had computer and system glitches.

“I’m very much hoping that this is a smooth trip home. I have my dog with me, so we’d love to get home quick,” said Natoli.

On the other hand, Pastor Maurino Gonzales flew into San Antonio from Los Angeles and said he had no issues.

“I was surprised, I thought it was going to be really crowded. I was up there at 5 o’clock this morning and it wasn’t really that bad, it was good,” said Gonzales.

AAA estimated more than 55 million people will travel at least 50 miles to get back home after the holiday.

“Sunday is always the busiest day leaving since it’s after Thanksgiving, but I noticed this year it’s been quite busy,” said Jessica Diller who must travel more than 200 miles to get back home to San Angelo.

Diller said the road construction in and around San Antonio is not ideal when roads are packed.

“I go on 10 so I do go through some construction. I’ve noticed that going towards San Antonio is a lot busier.”

Diller said with the increase in traffic and the construction areas. She will be taking it slow.

“I drive cautious anyway since I pull a horse trailer and they are my prized possessions and they’re also part of my living and I drive cautious anyway, but I do drive a lot more cautious, especially during the holidays,” said Diller.