Anticipate a facet of bustling crowds for those who’re touring in your Thanksgiving turkey this yr.
With 55.4 million People planning to journey 50 miles or extra from house this Thanksgiving, AAA thinks the 2023 vacation may have the third-highest journey volumes on file and the best because the COVID-19 pandemic.
American Airways forecasted a file variety of passengers nationwide for the vacation. The airline, which operates about 40% of flight capability at Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport, expects greater than 7.8 million passengers nationwide from Nov. 16-28.
United Airways expects 2023 to be its busiest Thanksgiving ever, and on Nov. 7 it will add greater than 1,400 extra home flights nationwide throughout Thanksgiving week to satisfy journey demand.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is making ready for the crush of vacationers. This is what to know for those who’re flying for Thanksgiving 2023.
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When are the busiest days to fly for Thanksgiving?
Traditionally, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day to fly.
On Nov. 27, 2022, the day after final yr’s Thanksgiving, Transportation Safety Administration screeners processed greater than 2.5 million passengers nationwide, making it the busiest journey day of the Thanksgiving vacation.
The times main as much as Thanksgiving are extra hectic than ordinary, too. The TSA screened from 2.1 million to 2.4 million passengers per day from Nov. 17-23, 2022, the seven days earlier than Thanksgiving, knowledge confirmed. The busiest day to fly was Nov. 23, 2022, with greater than 2.4 million passengers.
Is Thanksgiving Day a very good day to fly?

Thanksgiving historically is the least busy day of the vacation interval. The TSA screened greater than 1.4 million passengers on Thanksgiving 2022.
Is Phoenix airport very busy?
Sky Harbor doesn’t forecast Thanksgiving weekend site visitors prematurely, however knowledge from prior years reveals November is among the airport’s busiest months due to Thanksgiving.
The airport recorded greater than 3.9 million passengers in November 2022, making it the third-busiest month of 2022 and the busiest of the autumn season.
How a lot does it value to park at Sky Harbor?
This is how a lot passengers can anticipate to pay to park at Sky Harbor Airport for Thanksgiving 2023:
- Garages on the terminals value $30 per day. Premium parking near the terminal elevators prices $33 per day, whereas valet parking prices $39 per day.
- Three financial system garages, one on the airport’s west facet and two on the east facet, cost $16 per day.
- Two financial system floor heaps, one on the east facet and one on the west facet close to the twenty fourth Avenue PHX Sky Practice station, every cost $14 per day. You’ll be able to experience the free PHX Sky Practice to your terminal.
- An financial system “park and stroll” lot that provides no transportation to the terminals is $9 per day.
To ensure you get a spot, reserve your parking forward of time at www.skyharbor.com.
In the event you did not make a reservation, use Sky Harbor’s Discover a Spot instrument, at apps.skyharbor.com/findaspot, earlier than you head to the airport. It’s going to present you parking availability and pricing close to your terminal.
Off-site parking is on the market by corporations like PreFlight Airport Parking and the Parking Spot. They provide lined and uncovered parking plus shuttle service to and from the terminals.
PreFlight’s charges begin at $12.50 per day for an uncovered spot. The Parking Spot’s charges range based mostly on demand and the period of time on the reservation; The Arizona Republic noticed charges for a five-day reservation from Nov. 22-27 begin at $28.25 per day for uncovered self-parking.
Tips on how to drop off or choose up passengers at Sky Harbor
Sky Harbor Airport roadways and terminal curbs will likely be busier than ordinary through the holidays.
One technique to keep away from site visitors jams is to choose up and drop off passengers at one of many airport’s two PHX Sky Practice Stations as an alternative of driving into the terminals.
There is a Sky Practice station on the airport’s east facet at forty fourth and Washington streets, and one other on the west facet at twenty fourth Avenue and Buckeye Street. The passenger can experience the free Sky Practice to the terminals.
In the event you’re choosing somebody up, wait in one of many free cellphone heaps at Sky Harbor as an alternative of driving laps across the terminals.
How early do you could get to Phoenix airport?
Home vacationers ought to enable a minimum of two hours earlier than their flight is scheduled to depart. Worldwide vacationers ought to enable a minimum of three hours.
Passengers ought to test their flight standing with their airline earlier than arriving on the airport.
These trying to get by safety quick can think about the airport’s free PHX Reserve program, the place company can reserve a spot within the TSA line. You can even test safety wait occasions on-line.
New and coming quickly at Sky Harbor:A Man Fieri restaurant and PGA Tour simulator
Attain the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
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