Thanksgiving Travel: Airports With The Longest Wait Times

How to avoid flight delays this Thanksgiving

So I’m just gonna go ahead and admit it — Thanksgiving gives me so much anxiety. I-know, I-know — it’s a beautiful holiday reserved for family bonding and some much-needed time to reflect on what we’re all thankful for. Plus, the buttery stuffing and sweet potato pie is nearly mouth-watering enough to make all the holiday stressors worth it. 

Nearly.  But despite how much I dig pigging out on buttermilk pie until I can’t see straight, there’s something about this time of year that just gives me a massive, thumping migraine. 

Be it the strained and heated dinner table fights over the recent presidential election, the worry about perhaps-maybe accidentally burning the turkey in the oven, or budgeting hangups about meal prep, it makes me wonder: what isn’t there to stress about during the holiday? 

To add to the never ending list of things to worry about, traveling during this time of year can be an absolute nightmare. The Thanksgiving Holiday is n.o.t.o.r.i.o.u.s for delayed flights, excruciating wait times at the airport, and when you arrive…laughably slow traffic. We’re talkin’ bumper-to-bumper, here. 

Because it’s such a chaotic and stress-inducing time of year, it’s extra important that you schedule additional time to prep in advance — just so you don’t have a mental breakdown just as the turkey is being served. (I’ve been there, hon. And I’ll just say it wasn’t pretty.)   

Since this is the busiest time of year in the travel department, you’re gonna wanna keep these flying tips in mind. This way, you can have a smoother, worry-free experience as you jet off to holiday hell — just kidding.

So grab your boarding pass and ID, and let’s check in with these helpful holiday travel tips in mind: 

Prepare yourself for the inevitable dreaded airport wait time

It’s no secret that airport wait time is horrificly slow during the festive season. Just last year, Miami ranked the highest average security wait time at a sluggish rate of 54 minutes. Yikes! I’m getting impatient just thinking about it! Following Miami, LAX had an average security wait time clocking in at 53.6 minutes. (Oh lord.) In third place was New York’s JFK International airport, with a 53.2 minute wait time. (You don’t wanna see a New Yorker when they’re impatient.)   

Wait times at the airport are bad news for many reasons. Not only are they a pain in the butt and a recipe for boredom, but they can cause you to miss your flight altogether. Confession time: About a month ago, I missed my last flight because I over-estimated how much time I had. Because my flight was significantly delayed, I thought I had all the time in the world. I stood on an endless line for a spicy chicken sandwich that ended up tasting vile — so not worth missing my flight! I reapplied my TSA approved makeup in the bathroom. And I even read four chapters of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein — filling in my literature gaps. Not too bad, eh?

But when I wandered back to the gating area there was no one there. I realized that I’d made a royal mistake. Usually, I’m the last person who’d ever miss their flight. In fact, I’m the sort of gal to show up to the airport three hours early, just to avoid missing my plane. But because there was such a delay in schedule, it had messed with my whole plan, and I wound up losing a ton of money in the process. 

So, yeah. Extended wait times and flight delays are far beyond a mere inconvenience. They can throw off your entire schedule and drain your wallet in the process.  

How to avoid flight delays and wait time at the airport

While there’s no surefire way to completely avoid frustrating wait times and flight delays, there are a few strategies to help reduce your chances. One option is to opt for early flights as opposed to anything scheduled for later in the day. Early morning flights tend to be on time and move just a bit quicker compared to night schedules. 

Secondly, select direct flights as opposed to connecting flights. (This was my mistake last time. I booked a connecting flight and ended up stranded, having to pull an all-nighter in the middle of nowhere. It was terrifying. And, no, I didn’t pick up Frankenstein to resume my place.)

I can’t make any promises, but generally, with direct flights, you’ll head straight to your destination without the added stress of long delays. While it may cost more, I think it’s well worth avoiding the anxiety.

Be diligent about packing ahead of time 

Since TSA is gonna be suuuuper crowded with flyers, there’s gonna be a lot of stress once you get to the security checkpoint. But expect to experience this times one hundred during Thanksgiving due to the high volume of flyers.  

So, my darlings, prepare ahead of time by checking that all your packed essentials and goods are TSA approved. Believe me, this is the last time of year you’ll want a TSA agent barking at you for accidentally tossing a non-TSA approved bottle of hairspray in your carry-on. 

Be sure to eat a solid meal before heading to the airport

Now, my advice may seem odd, considering there are tons of restaurants at the airport to choose from. But believe me when I say you’re better off gobbling down a feast of food before you leave your home. 

You know the lines for airport meals are gonna be unnnending. It might take an entire hour on line waiting on that Starbucks’ Venti Java Chip Frappuccinoa before you take a sip. But is it worth it? Not if you miss your flight.

Plus, with airport food prices so high, you’ll likely feel pressured to wait for your meal, risking being late or even missing your boarding. During the Thanksgiving holidays, restaurants are often understaffed, so save yourself the stress and grab a bite before you head to the airport.

Now you know what to do so you can have the most stress-free travel experience this Thanksgiving. Ready for takeoff?