MSP Airport anticipating big Thanksgiving travel increase compared to 2020

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is anticipating a big increase in travelers for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday.

In a Friday update, airport officials said that Wednesday, Nov. 24 is expected to be the busiest day with approximately 32,000 people expected to go through security. That could more than double the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday travel peak, which saw a single-day high of 15,383 passengers screened.

The significant uptick in airline bookings this year is about a 70% recovery compared to pre-pandemic numbers, airport officials said.

"We continue to see a gradual return to pre-pandemic airline booking rates across the industry," said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP Airport.

Airport officials are recommending that domestic travelers arrive two hours before their flights and three hours before international flights.

For people needing to overnight park at MSP Airport between Nov. 22-28, airport officials say they are offering discounted pre-booked holiday parking at Terminal 1.

There will also be live music and ballet performances during the travel holiday time at both terminals, starting Friday.

Nationally, travel experts are predicting more 4.2 million people will be flying for the holiday.

Federal air travel regulations require all passengers to wear a face covering at all U.S. airports and terminals and for the duration of flights through Jan. 2022.