The travel industry can difficult to nail down to a set forecast, but AAA has predicted Thanksgiving travel will jump 4 percent this year with 42.5 million people traveling 50 miles or more from home. But the majority of those travelers will be jumping into the car to take a road trip for the holiday. That same AAA report states 38.2 million Americans will be heading to the open road, which leaves the airline industry picking up the rest of the travelers. That total will represent a two percent decrease in the number of air travelers over 2011.
Why the decrease in the number of air travelers?
Airfares are expected to be at least 6 percent to 12 percent higher than they were a year ago, so sticker shock might be keeping passengers from booking flights hoping for last minute bargains. Airlines have been edging prices higher to help offset rising fuel costs and operating expenses. However, many travel experts are predicting limited airfare discounts this holiday season.
Will there be more room on planes?
Because airlines have cut the number of flights and airports they serve, empty seats are going to be a rarity in the skies this holiday travel season. Travelers can expect full flights despite a forecast drop in the number of passengers.
Why have airlines cut capacity?
Capacity has been cut for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common reasons is a reduction in demand. Airlines have used a number of cost cutting options, including smaller planes, to operate more efficiently and spend less cash on fuel. According to MSNBC.com, in 2010 from Nov. 24 to 29 there were 12.4 million seats available on 120,000 flights for the top 10 U.S. air carriers, this year there are fewer than 12 million seats on 116,000 during the similar time period this year.
Can the same factors be expected for Christmas travel?
The decrease in supply will likely not come to an end in December, which means that airline passengers can expect full flights and the same higher airfares. In addition, if the price of fuel rises, many airlines could attempt to raise fares even higher to offset the expense.
Any good travel tips for Christmas and Thanksgiving?
While it is probably too late to score a nice airfare for Thanksgiving, travelers wishing to fly for Christmas should start shopping now before the 21-day advance purchase window closes, as fares will likely climb. As always, travelers should allow for plenty of time to get through airport security, and be prepared to pay with a credit card for any purchases made in the cabin of the plane.
Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional with a decade of experience in the industry. He remains an avid traveler and hotel fan with exposure to technology and trends in properties across the United States.
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