Full Planes Expected On Thanksgiving, A4A Predicts 24 Million Airline Passengers

You can expect full planes on Thanksgivings. Airlines For America, A4A, is predicting that nearly 24 million people will fly during the Thanksgiving holidays.

A4A states in a press release that close to 24 million people will travel by air between Friday, November 16 and Tuesday, Nov. 27. That’s about 150,000 more people than last year but about 10% lower than the travel peak in 2006 and 2007.

The organization forecasts 90% full planes on the busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving holiday season.

On Sunday, November 25, 2.4 million people are expected to fly, on Wednesday, November 21, 2.3 million are expected to fly and another 2.3 million are expected to fly on Monday, November 26.

The trade group says that the passengers can expect full plans on Thanksgiving due to a smaller number of flights. Airlines have been reducing flights due to raising gas prices. But don’t expect to pay a cheaper fare just because the planes are more crowded. According to A4A, airlines have been raising prices recently but are still only making about 50 cents per passenger.

According to the Associated Press, ticket prices have gone up 4% since 2011.

The airline’s strategy has caused a 5.6% increase in revenue but profit margins are razor thin due to a 6.2% rise in fuel costs. According to the trade group, the average price of jet fuel this year has been $3.08 per gallon, up slightly from 2011 record high price of $3 per gallon.

Are you traveling for Thanksgiving?