With travel this Thanksgiving expected to be at its busiest since before the pandemic, everyone is trying to find the right day and time to beat the traffic while also factoring in cost.

Airports are getting ready for what’s expected to be nearly a 10% increase in air travel from pre-COVID.

AAA is forecasting at least 80 million people to be traveling this holiday season 50 miles or more from home. About 90% of those will be traveling by car. Besides packing the cranberry sauce and stuffing, AAA suggests you pack your patience, and to expect the unexpected.

Both AAA officials and airport officials want to remind everyone to be patient when they’re on the road and be patient when they’re picking up and dropping off loved ones.
Make sure to arrive no later than two hours before your scheduled departure.

That will give you ample time to get to the airport, find parking if you need to, and get through security.
When it comes to parking, no one is permitted to park at the cell phone observation lot or at short-term parking. They should only be able to do so using the ticketing system at the airport.

The airport has even brought in some therapy dogs to help calm some nervous travelers down. Learn a bit more about how they help by watching the video of Tamara Starr’s story.

MORE: Albany International Airport