MSP Airport expects 10% boost in travelers compared to last Thanksgiving
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is expecting 10% more travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday compared to last year.
Between Nov. 21 and Dec. 2, the airport is bracing to process 468,000 people through security checkpoints. Last year during the same 12-day period, 423,000 people were screened through the checkpoints. The 10% increase aligns with the airport's passenger growth this year, which is at 8%.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates the airport, expects crowds to peak on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. More than 49,000 people are expected to be screened on those days.
Travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport two hours in advance for a domestic flight, and three hours prior for an international trip. In order to optimize travel time, passengers can reserve a spot in the security line for free, as well as prebook parking.
"These will likely be some of the busiest travel days in U.S. history," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
"Nearly 80 million people are going to be traveling throughout the country 50 miles or more" said AAA spokesperson Brynna Knapp.
According to AAA the airport is definitely going to be busy this time of year, as previous years, but using a car is going to be the most popular form of travel for Thanksgiving.
AAA and TSA say the busiest times to fly and be on the road is Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It's also expected to be busy on Dec. 1 after 4:30 p.m.
Traffic could be more than double what it typically is in major cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. Experts predict the drive between Minneapolis and Eau Claire, Wisconsin could take nearly two hours.
"The best time is before 11 a.m on all of those days, and then anytime on that Thursday," Knapp added.
Popular destinations this year are warm weather spots like Florida, California and the Caribbean.
If you flew to grandma's house in 2023, that domestic flight would cost 3% more this year. But good news for those hitting the road, gas prices are down about 8% in Minnesota compared to last year.
To check on your flight status out of MSP, click here.