Get ready for a fascinating journey as we explore the changing landscape of Thanksgiving travel in the United States!
The Great Thanksgiving Migration: Unveiling the Trends
This year, we're witnessing a unique shift in travel patterns during the Thanksgiving rush. While millions of passengers continue to make their way through airports across the nation, the destinations they choose are telling a different story.
Visualizing the Surge and the Slump
Our visualization, powered by data from Amadeus, maps out the dramatic rise and fall of air traffic across 100 U.S. airports during Thanksgiving week in 2025 compared to the previous year. The results are eye-opening!
Smaller Airports: The New Hotspots
The key trend? Smaller regional airports are stealing the spotlight with a surge in arrivals, while major hubs are experiencing notable declines. Take Long Beach (LGB) and Oakland (OAK), for instance, which saw a whopping 111% and 84% increase in Thanksgiving week arrivals, respectively. Meanwhile, airports like San Francisco International (SFO) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (ATL) are expecting fewer travelers, indicating a preference for more intimate travel experiences.
A Coast-to-Coast Breakdown
Let's dive into the numbers. The data table below reveals the year-over-year changes in scheduled arrivals for Thanksgiving week, defined as November 25th to December 2nd.
West Coast Dominance: Several California airports lead the pack with impressive gains. Long Beach (111%), Oakland (84%), and Burbank (39%) top the list, suggesting a strong preference for West Coast destinations. Even Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) and San Diego International Airport (31%) are experiencing notable rises.
Providence's Rise: Outside the West Coast, Providence's Theodore Francis Green Memorial State Airport (PVD) stands out with a 35% increase, one of the strongest gains.
Southeast Slump: The steepest declines are concentrated in the South. Columbia (CAE) takes the lead with a 26% drop, closely followed by Greensboro's Piedmont Triad (GSO) at -24%. Other airports like McGhee Tyson (TYS), Syracuse Hancock (SYR), and Charlotte Douglas (CLT) also show significant decreases.
The Big Picture: A Shift in Travel Preferences
While overall air bookings for Thanksgiving week in 2025 have increased by 4% compared to last year, mid-sized and secondary airports have seen a remarkable 9% growth. This suggests travelers are becoming more selective about their destinations, opting for less congested airports.
Explore More with the Voronoi App
Curious to learn more about Thanksgiving trends? Check out our graphic on the Voronoi app, which reveals the most affordable grocery stores for Thanksgiving dinner items. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and unlock a world of data-driven insights!
And Here's the Controversial Twist...
What do you make of these changing travel patterns? Are smaller airports the new go-to for Thanksgiving travel? Or is this just a temporary trend? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Remember, the Voronoi app is your gateway to a wealth of data-driven visuals, so don't miss out on the opportunity to explore and discover.
