St. Louis Lambert International Airport is gearing up for what officials predict will be their busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever. With AAA forecasting record-breaking travel numbers starting on Wednesday morning, travelers passing through Lambert can expect to see terminals bustling with activity.
According to Lambert officials, the anticipated record crowds during the Thanksgiving period are part of a larger trend of increasing travel numbers at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is projecting that nearly 203,000 passengers will depart from Lambert throughout the entire Thanksgiving travel period, which began last Friday and runs through next Monday.
The busiest days at Lambert are expected to be Wednesday and Sunday, with Sunday expected to have the largest crowds. TSA estimates that over 22,100 passengers will be departing from the airport on Wednesday, while more than 24,600 passengers are projected to depart on Sunday.
On a national scale, AAA is predicting that a whopping 79.9 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This figure represents an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and a significant jump of two million more travelers compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
As the holiday season approaches, airports across the country are bracing for a surge in travel as more Americans feel comfortable hitting the skies once again. With vaccination rates on the rise and COVID-19 restrictions easing in many places, the travel industry is experiencing a much-needed boost after a challenging period.
For those planning to fly out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport this Thanksgiving, it’s important to be prepared for longer wait times, crowded terminals, and increased security measures. Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure time to account for potential delays and ensure a smooth travel experience.
Despite the anticipated crowds and busy terminals, the record-breaking Thanksgiving travel numbers serve as a positive sign of recovery for the travel industry. As more people feel confident in traveling once again, airports like Lambert are seeing a resurgence in passenger numbers, signaling a hopeful future for the aviation sector.
