If you’re planning to fly to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, be prepared for packed planes, along with slightly higher fares.
According to a report by Airlines for America, the amount of air passengers expected to travel for Thanksgiving is 24.6 million, a 1.5 percent increase from 2013. This covers a period of 12 days, Friday, Nov. 21 to Thursday, Dec. 2.
The busiest travel days are projected to be Wednesday, Nov. 26, Sunday, Nov. 30, and Monday, Dec. 1.
As for fares, Orbitz predicts a two percent rise for Thanksgiving (and a five percent increase for Christmas).
If your family is flying, prepare with these tips:
– Find an Airport Playground
Many airports offer play areas, complete with padded jungle gyms, toys, and books, and some, such as Boston Logan International and Chicago O’Hare, even feature aviation themes, with miniature planes for climbing.
– Prepare a Scavenger Hunt
Design a list of items to be discovered in the airport — a plastic fork at a restaurant, a teddy bear in a gift shop, a water fountain by the restroom and more. Split into two groups to turn it into a competition!
– Walk Around the Airport
Use up that energy before the plane ride — walk on moving pathways and up and down the escalators and stairs across various terminals.
– Find a Nearby Attraction
If you have a long layover, find a nearby attraction you can visit. For example, The Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia is just five minutes from San Francisco International Airport, and is free to enter. Near Charlotte Douglas International, you can visit the Carolinas Aviation Museum for a small fee per person.
For more tips, visit Air Travel Planning for Families.
–Amanda Geronikos
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