^{Photo: The US Sun}

Record Travel Numbers Expected
U.S. airlines are preparing for one of the busiest Thanksgiving periods in history. Airlines for America, a trade group representing major U.S. carriers, forecasts that more than 31 million passengers will take to the skies between Friday, November 21, and Monday, December 1. The busiest day is expected to be the Sunday following Thanksgiving, with around 3.4 million flyers, followed closely by Monday with roughly 3.1 million.

Airline executives are optimistic that this year’s holiday season will avoid the severe disruptions caused by the longest federal government shutdown in history. During the closure, thousands of flights were delayed or canceled due to shortages of air traffic controllers, leaving roughly 6 million travelers stranded or inconvenienced.

Impact of the Government Shutdown
The shutdown forced air traffic controllers to work without regular pay, creating logistical bottlenecks across U.S. airports. Financial analysts at Bank of America estimated that large network carriers lost between $150 million and $200 million in operating income due to the disruptions, while smaller airlines were hit by around $100 million in losses.

Airline executives are now advocating for legislation that guarantees controller pay during potential future shutdowns. The current government funding bill extends only through January, leaving the industry vulnerable during peak travel seasons, including winter and spring breaks.

Surge in Bookings Following Shutdown
Travelers who had delayed their plans until the government reopened are now making reservations in large numbers. United Airlines reported a 16% increase in bookings over the weekend of November 15-16 compared with the previous weekend when travel was disrupted. International bookings are also at record levels for the Thanksgiving period, up 10% from last year, with popular destinations including Cancun, London, and Frankfurt.

Overall, United expects to fly 6.6 million passengers from November 20 to December 2, a more than 4% increase from last year. International capacity for the largest U.S. carriers has increased by roughly 5%, while domestic capacity is up around 2%, according to Cirium, a global aviation data firm.

Airlines Adjust Schedules for Peak Demand
American Airlines plans to operate 80,759 flights during the same period, the highest number for any U.S. carrier. David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the high stakes of the holiday schedule and the airline’s readiness to ensure smooth operations for travelers.

Not all carriers are expanding capacity. Budget airline Spirit Airlines, in its second bankruptcy in under a year, has reduced domestic flights by nearly 40% and furloughed hundreds of pilots as part of cost-cutting measures. This contrasts sharply with the aggressive scheduling of larger carriers and highlights the financial strains on smaller, budget-focused airlines.

Outlook for Travelers and the Industry
With the federal government shutdown behind them and peak holiday travel underway, airlines are cautiously optimistic. Smooth operations during the Thanksgiving period will not only restore consumer confidence but also generate critical revenue before the winter season.

The combination of record passenger numbers, higher international bookings, and restored staffing levels positions U.S. carriers for what could be one of the strongest Thanksgiving travel periods on record, provided there are no further disruptions or unforeseen events.