American Airlines is set to handle nearly 8.3 million travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday season, operating more than 77,000 flights. This comes after a record-breaking fall season, during which the airline reported the fewest cancellations among major U.S. carriers in October.
“Thanks to the dedication of our 130,000 team members, we achieved industry-leading performance in October, including record on-time departures and arrivals,” said David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer of American Airlines. “When customers choose to fly with us, they trust us to provide a safe and reliable journey. We are fully prepared to deliver on that promise this Thanksgiving.”
To handle the holiday rush, American has bolstered its winter weather preparedness with enhanced deicing protocols and expanded airport capacity, especially at hubs like Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The airline has also focused on improving the overall airport experience to ensure smoother travel for its passengers.
Key Highlights of American’s Thanksgiving Operations:
- Travel Period: From Nov. 21 to Dec. 3, American anticipates carrying over 500,000 more passengers compared to last year.
- Busiest Travel Days: The peak days are Sunday, Dec. 1, and Monday, Dec. 2.
- Fleet in Action: Around 1,500 mainline and regional aircraft will cover nearly 65 million miles during the travel period—equivalent to circling the globe over 2,500 times.
- Peak Activity: At 10:45 a.m. CT on Dec. 1, 1,035 flights will be airborne simultaneously, the highest volume during the holiday season.
- Biscoff® Cookies Galore: Passengers will enjoy over 6.8 million Biscoff® cookies, enough to stretch the distance between New York (LGA/JFK) and Charlotte, NC (CLT).
- Operational Excellence: October saw American achieve its best-ever performance for on-time departures, arrivals, and baggage handling. The airline also recorded nine days without canceling a single mainline flight and 10 days with no regional flight cancellations.
With robust planning and a strong operational track record, American Airlines is ready to make Thanksgiving travel smooth and enjoyable for its customers.