Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

Passenger numbers surge to pandemic-level highs for Thanksgiving travel

Nov. 30, 2020
•
2 min read
Nation's Airports Brace For Thanksgiving Travel, As CDC Recommends Not To Travel Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Passenger numbers surge to pandemic-level highs for Thanksgiving travel
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Travel warnings and a surge in coronavirus cases proved no match for pandemic-weary Americans fatigued of lockdowns and quarantines.

The number of travelers at U.S. airports hit pandemic-era highs around Thanksgiving as passengers took to the skies despite pleas from the Centers for Disease Control and other U.S. leaders to limit holiday gatherings.

Nearly 1.18 million people were screened Sunday at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, the highest total since travel cratered in March at the outset of the pandemic. And Sunday's record topped the previous pandemic-era record of 1,070,967 set just four days prior.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!

Those numbers are still down nearly 60% compared to the same period last year, when nearly 2.9 million passengers were screened on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

But this year's totals do follow a typical trend for Thanksgiving that sees passenger numbers spike on the Wednesday before and Sunday after the Thursday holiday.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Below are the 10 busiest days since March 16 as determined by the number of travelers screened by the TSA.

More: The COVID surge is hitting airlines, and maybe the holidays too

  1. March 16 (Thursday): 1,257,823 travelers screened
  2. Nov. 29 (Sunday): 1,176,091
  3. Nov. 25 (Wednesday): 1,070,967
  4. Nov. 22 (Sunday): 1,047,934
  5. Oct. 18 (Sunday): 1,031,505
  6. Nov. 20 (Friday): 1,019,836
  7. Nov. 21 (Saturday): 984,369
  8. Oct. 11 (Sunday): 984,234
  9. Oct. 25 (Sunday): 983,745
  10. Nov. 15 (Sunday): 978,279
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.5 / 5
Go to review
Apply for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply now
for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

at Capital One's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
5X milesEarn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X milesEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Enjoy a $250 travel credit & earn 75K bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

Pros

  • Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
  • You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
  • Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners

Cons

  • Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app