2022 predicted to be third busiest Thanksgiving for Midwest travelers since 2000
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Many families will have Thanksgiving celebrations in full swing for the first time since before the pandemic this year, and that getaway is already underway.
Millions will be hitting the road and boarding flights Wednesday.
AAA says flight costs are up about 22% across the nation, but that isn’t stopping air travel from getting close to how it was before the pandemic. In fact, it’s up about 8% nationwide, and about 225,000 people are flying from our region.
“We’re getting back to normal,” says Marty Robinson, the Transportation and Security Administration’s Federal Security Director in Minnesota. “The airlines are seeing more passengers. We’re definitely seeing more travelers who haven’t been around for a while, so it’s been interesting.”
This year, it’s expected to be the third busiest Thanksgiving travel since 2000 in the region, but you should also expect to see lines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. AAA says air travel is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.
Many families will have Thanksgiving celebrations in full swing for the first time since before the pandemic this year, and that getaway is already underway.
“It seemed pretty long but the sign said I would make it through in a certain amount of time and they said I would make my flight, so I wasn’t worried about it,” said fellow traveler Isaiah Mason.
“We’re actually surprised, I didn’t expect it to move this fast at all,” said traveler Jotavia Seibure.
The TSA says Wednesday and Sunday will be the busiest travel days of the season, and you can expect the peak times to be between 4 and 6 a.m., as well as 2-5 p.m.
In addition, TSA officials say you should get to the airport at least two hours early to make sure you give yourself enough time to get through traffic, parking, baggage, check-in and security.
“Total shock, not expecting this. I came from Wisconsin and was not expecting this type of situation,” said traveler Lynn McIntyre.
An interactive road traffic map can be found below, and also by CLICKING HERE. You can see your flight’s status at MSP by CLICKING HERE.
Wondering what the forecast will be for when you return after Thanksgiving? CLICK HERE for the latest conditions.
Watch the video above for the latest on average gas prices in Minnesota and Wisconsin.