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Tips for Flying on Turkey Day

Flying will be pricier and more crowded than ever

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 25, 2011 3:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – Thanksgiving means turkey, family, football—and excruciatingly crowded airports. This year could be even worse, because the average ticket price will be $376—a 4% spike from last year—there will be fewer planes with fewer seats up for grabs, and the dismal economy is not discouraging people from heading home for the holiday. Stock up on these journeying tips, courtesy of CNNTravel:

  1. Buy your plane tickets now: Prices won't drop between now and turkey day, but they might sell out.
  2. Seek out alternative airports: There may be a cheaper flight from an airport that's farther away, especially in a big city serviced by many airports.
  3. Think about flying on Thanksgiving day: It'll be less crowded, and if you return the next day, you'll save an average of $213 compared to leaving the Monday before and returning the Sunday after.
For the rest of CNN's turkey day travel tips, click here.

ONTARIO, CA - NOVEMBER 26:  Travelers line up at the Southwest ticket counter at L.A./Ontario International Airport in 2008.
ONTARIO, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Travelers line up at the Southwest ticket counter at L.A./Ontario International Airport in 2008.   (Getty Images)
Thanksgiving is a travel crunch for many Americans.
Thanksgiving is a travel crunch for many Americans.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25:  An American Airlines plane flies over the Interstate 405 freeway upon approach to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on the eve of Thanksgiving on November 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: An American Airlines plane flies over the Interstate 405 freeway upon approach to land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on the eve of Thanksgiving on November...   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
floridavet
Oct 26, 2011 5:44 AM CDT
I spent more than 30 years as an FAA Air Traffic Controller, and having seen the system from the inside up close and personal, here's my advice about flying on Thanksgiving Day - don't even think about it! Overcrowded airports, security delays, increased volume of air traffic, jammed hotels, and not to mention that unpredictable and often surprising weather event...snowstorms!
user99
Oct 25, 2011 6:46 PM CDT
Just move to Canada, thanksgiving is in October.
MDD
Oct 25, 2011 5:47 PM CDT
Just stay Home!!
 

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