United Airlines Thanksgiving Travel Forecast and Fast Facts

Travel Forecast:

United is expecting about 6.6 million customers over the Thanksgiving travel period (November 20 to December 2) – about 300,000 more people than 2024 and the most passengers we’ve ever flown during a Thanksgiving holiday.

The busiest travel days are expected AFTER Thanksgiving: approximately 600,000 people will fly on Sunday, Nov. 30 and the next busiest days are Saturday, Nov. 29 (560,000 people) and Monday, Dec. 1 (560,000 people).

Friday, Nov. 21 is expected to be the busiest pre-Thanksgiving travel day, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Bookings for Thanksgiving travel rose 15% the weekend after the shutdown ended (11/8-11/9 compared to 11/15 – 11/16).

Tips for Travelers:

The award-winning United app includes features and capabilities that are especially helpful during busier times:

• Rebook flights if travel is disrupted, avoiding lines at the airport.
• Get on-demand customer service help via text, chat or video call.
• Make tight connections more easily, with personalized turn-by-turn directions, estimated walk times, live flight status updates, tips for longer layovers and a notification if United is holding the flight a few extra minutes for travelers to make it.

United app users can help save up to 30 minutes at the airport, and more than 84% of United customers use the app the day they fly.

Plan ahead to beat airport traffic… and earn more miles: United and Lyft have teamed up to turn daily rides into miles including 4X rewards on pre-scheduled airport trips. Learn more here.

Fast Facts:

United will operate more than 4,500 flights every day during the Thanksgiving travel period.

• The most popular domestic destinations this Thanksgiving include Orlando, Las Vegas and Boston.
• International bookings for Thanksgiving are up 10% compared to last year; top destinations include Cancun, London and Frankfurt.

United has hired over 9,500 frontline employees this year to support its growing operation.

Fun Facts:

United expects to serve nearly two million Stroopwafles.

United expects Wicked will be its most-streamed onboard movie as travelers get excited for the sequel arriving in theatres.