2024 Thanksgiving Air Travel Figures Surpass 2019 Levels

WORLDWIDE – Air travel in North America has surged this Thanksgiving, with seat capacity surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

According to aviation analysts IBA, scheduled seats from November 28th to December 1st total nearly 13.84 million, a 9% jump from 2019 and up 3% from last year.

Despite a slight 1% dip in flight numbers compared to 2019, IBA says airlines are meeting demand with larger aircraft.

It says domestic and intra-north American routes dominate, making up 89% of capacity, while international travel holds steady at 11%. The “Big Four” U.S. carrier, American, Southwest, Delta, and United are said to be leading, with 65% of total seats.