Tips for Navigating the Busiest Holiday Travel Season Ever

Last Friday, November 17, kicked off the Thanksgiving travel rush—a 12-day period when the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen a record 30 million travelers this year. Unfortunately, this busy time coincides with a significant storm moving across much of the eastern United States.

However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and newly appointed FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker reassure the public that major delays and cancellations shouldn’t be expected as they were last holiday season.

“Winter weather may pose challenges for airlines in the coming weeks,” Secretary Buttigieg stated during a joint media briefing about holiday travel on Monday. He added, “While we can't control the weather, we will utilize all available resources to minimize cancellations and delays.”

The Transportation Secretary urged travelers to submit a complaint to the DOT if they encounter issues securing refunds or adequate compensation for delayed or canceled flights. “If an airline fails its passengers, we are here to ensure that airline is held accountable,” he stated.

Buttigieg stated that the DOT will ensure that when disruptions occur due to weather or traffic, already scheduled commercial flights won’t be delayed by private flights. “You won’t have to wait for someone who just boarded a private jet for a golf trip to cut in line ahead of your passenger flight. Your journey to see family will take precedence,” he remarked.

The TSA, which released a statement on its preparations for what is anticipated to be the busiest holiday season ever, aims to keep standard security line wait times under 30 minutes and TSA PreCheck lines under 10 minutes.

AAA estimates that 55.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles or more between November 22 (the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) and Sunday, November 26, marking the third-highest Thanksgiving travel forecast since AAA began tracking in 2000 (with 2005 and 2019 being the top two years).

Following a short break, we will enter the peak holiday travel periods surrounding Christmas and New Year from mid-December to early January, a time that last year was marred by severe weather across the nation and significant issues at Southwest Airlines.

“Last year was chaotic. Nearly 5.5 percent of flights nationwide were canceled in December [2022], including several days around Christmas when two-thirds of Southwest flights were scrapped. This followed major disruptions during the summer as many travelers took their first trips since the pandemic began,” said Scott Keyes, founder of travel deal tracking service Going.com, in an email.

To evaluate how improvements have been made, Going compared flight cancellation rates from January to August this year, last year, and the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Here’s how they compare:

• 2019: 2.3 percent
• 2022: 3.0 percent
• 2023: 1.7 percent

This year has undoubtedly shown significant improvement, but weather remains an unpredictable factor.

“Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are among the busiest travel periods of the year, which unfortunately coincide with worsening weather across much of the country. We can count on Mother Nature to cause some cancellations,” wrote Keyes. However, he expressed optimism, saying, “I don’t expect to see a widespread meltdown like we experienced last year.”

Keyes noted that this year’s airlines have more pilots, planes, and staff compared to last year, which should make a positive difference.

“However, just because things have improved in the past doesn’t guarantee the future will be the same. I wouldn’t risk my savings on airlines avoiding significant disruptions, especially since such meltdowns can be unpredictable black swan events,” Keyes stated.

Here’s how to ensure a hassle-free holiday travel experience and what steps to take when your flight is disrupted.

Essential Steps to Take Before You Depart

Step 1: Begin monitoring the weather at least a week prior to your flight(s).

“Weather plays a crucial role,” explains Kathleen Bangs, a former commercial airline pilot and spokesperson for flight tracking service FlightAware. “Be sure to check the forecast for both your departure and destination, as well as the weather at your airline's main hubs. For example, if you're flying Delta and Atlanta is experiencing bad weather, it could impact your flight even if you're departing from Denver. I understand weather well enough to inform the pilots about it.”

What types of severe weather should travelers be aware of that could lead to significant delays or cancellations? When visibility is compromised by conditions such as rain, blowing snow, falling snow, or winds exceeding 20 miles per hour, air travel may face delays. Additionally, strong crosswinds can render some runways less usable, and if visibility decreases, aircraft must use instrument approaches, which take longer and slow down operations,” says Bangs.

She suggests utilizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Forecast Chart, a valuable resource for visualizing major weather systems and fronts across the U.S., complete with one-day, two-day, and three-day forecasts. “It’s remarkably accurate,” she notes.

If you’ve ever considered becoming a meteorologist, now is the time. You can also access weather radar and forecasts through websites and apps like the National Weather Service, the Weather Channel, and AccuWeather.

This is crucial because travelers shouldn’t wait for airlines to inform them of significant delays or cancellations. Bangs notes that airlines often wait until the last minute to notify passengers of disruptions. Therefore, if you observe a weather system likely to cause issues, this is your chance to proactively rebook your flight ahead of or following an impending storm.

Step 2: If you booked through a travel agent, touch base with them to explore alternative options.

If you’re embarking on a domestic or international journey that seems at risk of disruption, now is the time to consult with your travel agent. Discuss potential alternatives and workarounds. This individual can also be a crucial ally if your travel plans take an unexpected turn. Rely on them to assist with rebooking as necessary.

Step 3: Visit the airport’s website for information on construction-related delays.

Airports across the country are undergoing significant renovations, which is great for future travel but can complicate the present. Many airports, such as New York’s JFK, are in the midst of extensive construction projects that may lead to delays in accessing the airport. If there are active construction efforts at your departure location, certain road lanes and/or parking areas might be closed, resulting in congestion and filled parking lots. It’s wise to stay informed about ongoing projects at the airport so you can plan accordingly, including potential traffic delays on the routes to the airport.

Step 4: Develop a backup plan—and consider booking an alternative flight—before you leave.

Instead of simply hoping for the best, travelers should set clear parameters regarding flight disruptions. “If my flight is delayed, how long am I willing to wait before changing my plans? If my flight is canceled, will I rely on the original airline to get me to my destination, or do I have a backup ticket with another airline for later in the day?” says Bangs.

The former pilot often takes the initiative to book a backup flight with a different airline, provided it doesn’t have a change fee and offers a flexible cancellation policy—like Southwest Airlines, which permits cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure. If you don’t use the backup, you can apply the flight credit to future travels.

Step 5: If you have TSA PreCheck, ensure it’s included in your reservation.

It’s too late to enroll in TSA’s trusted traveler program for the holidays (these busy travel times remind us just how valuable the five-year, $78 membership can be). However, for those already enrolled, TSA advises verifying that your Known Traveler Number (KTN) associated with your TSA PreCheck membership, along with the correct date of birth, is included in your airline reservation. And if you don’t have it, consider gifting yourself a membership for future flights.

Step 6: Check if your airport offers a fast-pass security option that you can book in advance—for free.

For those who didn’t manage to secure TSA PreCheck in time for the holidays, there’s another lesser-known option for avoiding long security lines. Certain airports in North America (and some in Europe) allow travelers to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to skip to the front of the security queue—at no cost. We’ve put together the complete list of airports that offer this service.

Step 7: Pack wisely

This starts with using empty bags, as per TSA guidelines. “Passengers who pack with empty bags are less likely to accidentally carry prohibited items through the checkpoint,” the agency advised in a recent notice about preparing for holiday travel. TSA also reminds travelers that containers larger than 3.4 ounces that hold certain foods considered liquids or gels, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam, and preserves, must be checked. “If it can spill, spray, spread, pump, or pour, it’s a liquid and should be packed in your checked luggage,” TSA stated. Solid foods like cakes and baked goods can pass through TSA checkpoints.

Additionally, remember to pack a day or two’s worth of essentials in your personal item, not just your carry-on bag. With flights often full during the holidays, there’s a chance you could be separated from your carry-on if the airline starts gate-checking bags.

Step 8: Arrive at the airport (extra) early

Airports across the country will be busy this holiday season, so TSA recommends arriving at least two hours before your scheduled departure. This allows ample time for parking (if you’re driving), checking your bags, and navigating security screening lines that are likely to be longer than usual.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled

Even if you’ve done everything right—arriving early and breezing through security—things can still go awry. If it seems you’re facing significant delays or, worse, a flight cancellation, here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do next.

Step 1: Understand Your Rebooking and Compensation Rights

Airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers for delays or cancellations caused by factors outside their control, such as severe weather. They are also not required to issue a refund if the passenger initiates a cancellation or change to their flight.

However, the situation changes when the cancellation comes from the airline. Under U.S. law, you are entitled to a refund when the airline cancels, delays, or changes a flight, or if passengers are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight due to airline-related issues, such as operational or staffing problems. Being aware of this information is crucial before contacting a customer service representative or gate agent—knowledge truly is power.

Additionally, all major U.S. airlines have committed to providing meal vouchers for delays exceeding three hours, as well as transfers and hotel accommodations for passengers impacted by overnight cancellations. They also agree to rebook travelers on alternative flights at no extra charge due to delays or cancellations, and most will facilitate rebooking on partner airlines. You can find all this information on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection site (which includes a compensation table organized by airline).

Ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to. If not, consider filing a complaint with the DOT.

Step 2: Explore Your Flight Options

Before you join a line or call a gate agent or customer service representative, take a few moments to check for alternative flights—utilize a travel search tool like Google Flights to see all available options. (Keep in mind that Southwest does not appear on Google Flights, so search for Southwest flights separately if you wish to see their offerings alongside other carriers.) The flights could be with the same airline or with partner airlines, or even competing carriers. If you’re aware of a specific flight with available seats, it can be beneficial to mention this during your conversation. In some cases, even rival airlines may permit you to transfer your ticket.

Step 3: Get in line and call simultaneously to secure your rebooking

If you want to proceed with your travel plans, you'll need to get rebooked on a different flight (unless your flight is simply delayed, in which case you might choose to wait). In this situation, adopt a multi-faceted approach: queue up at the customer service desk while also calling the airline. You could even ask a friend or family member to reach out to the airline while you utilize the airline’s app.

If you have your airline’s app downloaded and your flight information linked, you might not need to talk to a representative for delays or cancellations. As soon as the airline identifies a delay or cancellation, you’ll receive a notification through the app. Whether it’s delayed or canceled, it should allow you to rebook on another flight directly in the app (unless it has already auto-rebooked you). In this case, acting quickly is essential—after all, many travelers are in the same boat.

If your online or phone efforts aren’t yielding results, you’ll already be in line to consult an agent who can assist you further.

Step 4: Aim to stay calm and maintain a friendly demeanor

Firstly, let's remember that it's the holiday season, and everyone helping you reach your destination is also working through the holidays. When delays and cancellations start stacking up, frustrations among travelers increase. A little kindness and understanding can go a long way in dealing with tired gate, airline, or customer service agents who are having a tough day. If you find yourself on the phone with an agent who seems unhelpful, don’t hesitate to excuse yourself and call back to speak with someone else who might be more accommodating. Yes, it might mean another round of waiting on hold, but it could be worth it.

Step 5: If the airline isn’t offering support, take matters into your own hands by rebooking yourself

Bangs notes that a common mistake travelers make is waiting too long for the airline to assist them due to concerns about losing money. In challenging travel situations, she suggests prioritizing getting moving again and worrying about compensation later, including considering flights from nearby airports for more options. This approach does carry some risks regarding potential reimbursements, but with airlines offering more flexible change policies since the pandemic and the DOT actively advocating for passengers, if you really want to avoid missing time with family, it might be a risk worth taking.