Thanksgiving expected to be record-breaker at MSP Airport and on Minnesota roads

In Minnesota and across the country, this Thanksgiving may be the busiest travel season ever — whether you’re flying or driving to your holiday destination.

Travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, and then some. Just last month, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport had the second-busiest day in its history and it’s now bracing for a busy holiday week. And on roadways, AAA predicts a record number of Americans will travel by car this Thanksgiving.

Travelers should be prepared for gridlock, crowds and maybe some chaos; best to take it easy and pack some patience.

“Ten of the busiest days that the [Transportation Security Administration] and MSP have seen in the history of TSA have happened since May of this year,” Marty Robinson, TSA’s federal security director for Minnesota, said on Tuesday. “[Wednesday] and Sunday we are expecting record days again.”

Between Nov. 21 and this Tuesday, MSP will likely see some 468,000 people check in for flights and be screened by TSA agents. That’s a 10% increase over the same period last year, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP.

The busiest days will be Wednesday and Sunday, when more than 49,000 people are expected to be screened on each day, MAC said in a news release. That’s in addition to connecting passengers at MSP and those arriving at the airport. Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international flights.

MAC CEO Brian Ryks says MSP’s passenger growth is up 8% so far this year, so it stands to reason Thanksgiving will be busy.

Speaking of weather: The National Weather Service predicts a chilly, but relatively calm, week ahead in Minnesota. Thanksgiving will see a high in the mid-20s here. Elsewhere, parts of the Midwest and East Coast will likely see heavy rain leading up to Thanksgiving, and maybe even snow in the Northeast.

The big picture: Nationwide, more than 31 million passengers are expected to fly on U.S. carriers over the Thanksgiving holiday — an all-time high, according to the trade group Airlines for America. That’s up from nearly 29 million passengers last year, and 28 million in 2019 before the pandemic.

What experts say: “I won’t be surprised if this Thanksgiving turns out to be a record for MSP,” said San Francisco-based travel expert Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group. “I anticipate that Delta, MSP’s largest airline at the airport, will benefit from the strong air travel demand, and that will be seen — and felt — at MSP. Not only will there be lots of people starting and ending their journeys in the Twin Cities, but ... there will be lots of connecting passengers.”

What’s new at MSP: A free alternative pickup and drop-off area at Terminal 2, accessed in the Purple Ramp. It’s a covered loading zone on the second level of the ramp allowing access to the terminal through a skyway.

Reserve a spot in the security line: Use MSP Reserve, where you sign up to reserve a spot for free at both terminals. Availability is limited, and times vary. Head to the line at security that says “MSP RESERVE.” Robinson says there is an “adequate number” of TSA staff to handle the throng at MSP. Just make sure you don’t cause delays in security lines, review TSA’s rules for checked and carry-on baggage and pack accordingly.

Checkpoints in Terminal 1: You can use either north or south.

Avoid the scrum at Terminal 1: Drop off passengers at Arrivals downstairs, and pick up passengers at Departures. Wait for word of your passenger at MSP’s cellphone lot on nearby Post Road.

What if I’m flying Spirit Airlines? The low-cost carrier, which serves Terminal 1 at MSP, filed for bankruptcy this month. If you have a ticket on Spirit, expect the Thanksgiving holiday to proceed normally, a rep from The Points Guy website told CNN. That goes for Christmas, too, but beyond that, he urges caution as service may be cut back.

AAA predicts almost 80 million travelers nationwide will drive at least 50 miles to their holiday destination between Tuesday and the Monday after Thanksgiving. That’s about 1.7 million or 2% additional travelers than last year, and 2 million more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The worst times to drive are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, AAA says. The best day to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day. Minnesotans driving home from their holiday destinations will experience peak congestion around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, AAA says. Those driving from Wisconsin to Minneapolis on Interstate 94 will see a 46% increase in travel time Sunday afternoon.