Thanksgiving Travel Frenzy: Busiest in 15 Years!

The Federal Aviation Administration forecasts this Thanksgiving to be the busiest travel period in 15 years, with Tuesday being the peak travel day. O'Hare and Midway airports are expecting a staggering two million travelers, marking a historical high for holiday travel at O'Hare. This surge reflects a rapid recovery in air travel, with airlines like American Airlines offering 40% more seats than the previous year.

Travelers are experiencing a relatively smooth journey so far, despite the high volume. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reminds passengers about specific rules for food items. Things like alcohol, cranberry sauce, and gravy must be placed in checked bags, as carrying them through security can slow down the screening process. Airlines are augmenting their services with additional flights to accommodate the increased demand.

With more than 52,000 flights scheduled, passengers are urged to arrive early to account for potential traffic congestion. While many are heading home for holiday festivities and football games, the possibility of wintry weather looms for the weekend. Additionally, this travel period marks a new convenience for Illinois iPhone users with the introduction of mobile IDs at security checkpoints, though carrying a physical ID is still recommended.