Thanksgiving Travel 2011: Is Your Flight Delayed? Airport Status

Thanksgiving Flight Delays: Busiest Travel Weekend of the Year

It seems like your flights are never on time anyway, so it stands to reason that Thanksgiving will see lots of delayed or canceled flights. Overcrowded airports, slow and invasive security procedures, and foul weather will crush your holiday spirit.

Flights will be delayed and canceled during Thanksgiving. This happens every year. Any info you can get before heading for the airport will brace you for what lies ahead.

Thanksgiving Travel Weather Alerts

If you're flying or driving through the American Northeast, be ready for snow. Driving will be slower, and airport traffic will be impacted.

Heavy snow is expected in New England. Also, a storm warning is in effect for Seattle.

Thanksgiving Airport Status Updates

Photos

B737's Chillin' In Vegas

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uploaded by JXTOY

Below you'll find links to some of the United States' busies airports. Before heading to the airport, check your flight status. Also, check in online and print your boarding pass in advance. Though it's 2011, American airports are still not all equipped with self-serve boarding pass printing machines.

• JFK: John F. Kennedy Airport, NYC
• LGA: LaGuardia Airport, NYC
• SFO: San Francisco International Airport
• ORD: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago
• MIA: Miami International Airport
• SEA: Sea-Tac (Seattle-Tacoma Airport)
• DEN: Denver International Airport- bring walking shoes
• ATL: Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
• DFW: Dallas-Fort Worth Int'l Airport
• IAD: Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C.
• EWR: Newark Liberty Airport
• PHX: Sky Harbor, Phoenix
  

Pack Light for Thanksgiving Flying

Standing in line to check your luggage is a major time-suck, and waiting for it on the other end is just as bad. Also, lost luggage will destroy your holiday weekend. Check out my guide to packing light on International Jet Trash for how to get your sportcoat to mom's house unwrinkled. You don't need four different outfits.

If you're traveling with children, make 'em carry their own clothes in a backpack or little rolling suitcase (awww!). Make sure they aren't carrying any of the fragile stuff, so they can sit on their luggage during the long waits.

Use your pen and some scratch paper to fend off boredom with sketching and drawing (kids and adults). If you have a smartphone, charge it fully before leaving for the airport so you can entertain your family with games and videos.