Approximately 54 million people will travel during this Thanksgiving holiday, bringing travel volumes within 5 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Following the dramatic decrease in travel in 2020, AAA expects for travel numbers to rebound by seeing the highest one-year increase of 6.4 million since 2005.
In comparison to 2019, the San Diego International Airport has seen a 20 to 25 percent decrease in passengers.
“Going into the holiday traffic, we are expecting more passengers to be traveling. Especially because of the availability of vaccinations, people feel more comfortable traveling and taking those trips that they once postponed. We do anticipate more people traveling during this Thanksgiving holiday,” Spokesperson for the San Diego International Airport, Sabrina LoPiccolo said.
Airports and roads are expected to be more crowded with the recent opening of U.S borders to fully vaccinated travelers. LoPiccolo said there are currently more international flights in November than in October. Though an increase of travelers are anticipated in December.
“We do think that is because of the border opening and the flexibility for passengers to travel for any reason to any other county,” LoPiccolo said.
Holiday traffic will be at its busiest on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday. According to AAA, the best time to travel on Wednesday is after 9 p.m, Thursday and Friday before 11 a.m and Saturday and Sunday before 12 p.m.
Travelers are advised to arrive two hours in advance for domestic flights, three hours in advance for international flights, and are urged to be proactive in planning their travels during the holiday season.
“If people are traveling outside of San Diego, they should do their research in advance to make sure that there aren't any travel requirements or if there is anything they need to do upon landing at their destination. If you are traveling internationally, there may be some travel restrictions in place. There may be some needs in regards to Covid testing. If you are traveling back to San Diego from an international destination, you will have to provide a negative Covid test at the airport before boarding,” LoPiccolo said.
People are required to wear facial coverings while at the airport as mask mandates are still in place. According to LoPiccolo, masks can be found at the information desk, at vendors or in vending machines located within terminals along with other personal protective equipment.
