If you are among those 28.5 million Americans who mean to fly during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, you will want to factor into your planning the chances of departing and arriving on time. Sure, you’ll get to Grandma’s house but you may or may not get there where you fly and as scheduled, based on whom. According to a prediction by RewardExpert, the differences one of airports and the best and worst airlines could be considerable.
Best/Worst Airlines
Based on a review of their airlines’ five-year History, the airlines were ranked by RewardExpert as follows, based on their average records during the Thanksgiving period:
- Hawaiian — 93.94% on-time
- Delta — 88.30% on-time
- Alaska — 85.88% on-time
- United 82.98% on-time
- American — 82.96% on-time
- JetBlue — 81.17% on-time
- Skywest — 80.54% on-time
- Southwest — 79.79% on-time
- Frontier — 78.87% on-time
So, if you’re flying Southwest or even Frontier, best to let your Thanksgiving hosts understand that you might be somewhat late for dinner.
Best/Worst Airports
On-time performance isn’t only in the control of the airlines; airports are a part of this equation. Variables such as infrastructure weather, and so on can make 1 airport significantly more or less inclined to host timely arrivals and departures than the other facility.
Here would be the airports, rated by on-time operation during recent Thanksgiving holidays:
- Honolulu — 91.48% on-time
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta — 86.85% on-time
- Charlotte — 86.58% on-time
- Meyers Southwest Florida — 86.06% on-time
- Salt Lake City — 85.42% on-time
- Reagan National — 85.23% on-time
- Phoenix Sky Harbor — 85.04% on-time
- Tampa — 84.97% on-time
- New Orleans — 84.80% on-time
- Portland — 84.54% on-time
And, in the end of the spectrum, here are the five worst-performing airports throughout Thanksgiving:
- San Francisco — 75.47% on-time
- Newark Liberty — 78.73% on-time
- Oakland — 78.78% on-time
- Houston Hobby — 79.58% on-time
- Sacramento — 79.70% on-time
Making the Best of the Worst Days
Based on RewardExpert, the worst Thanksgiving travel days will be November 19, Tuesday, November 28, Sunday, and Monday, November 27. The day: Thanksgiving itself, Thursday, November 23.
On the days that are more busy, airplanes will run close to 100 percent full on popular routes. And security-screening in the most busy airports will soon be stressed to the breaking point. If at all possible, for whom comfort is a priority travelers is going to wish to avoid flying on these days. However, do everything you can to eke from the flight encounter as much comfort and calmness as you can, if you do not have the luxury of timing. Some strategies that have proven themselves over the years:
- Allow plenty of time to get into the airport, especially in the Event That You plan to park at an airport bunch
- Book early flights to increase the likelihood of being accommodated later the Exact Same day in the event of a cancellation
- Traveling to/from secondary airports
- Avoid assessing bags if possible
- To Prevent the coach smash, use miles to upgrade or pay extra for superior economy
- Have phone numbers on the airline, hotel, rental car readily at hand
- Fully control your smartphone prior to leaving house
- For a respite from the gate bunch, think about Purchasing a day pass into your airline’s airport couch
- Sign up for PreCheck for expedited security clearance
Not one of the above will create vacation flying a breeze. So relax. Expect travel to be stressful. Observe the Golden Rule, and hope that travellers do the same.
Reader Reality Check
What’s your strategy for making the most of holiday travel?