Phoenix airport will be more crowded than ever this Thanksgiving. These tips will help

Expect a side of bustling crowds if you're traveling for your Thanksgiving turkey this year.

With 55.4 million Americans planning to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, AAA thinks the 2023 holiday will have the third-highest travel volumes on record and the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Airlines forecasted a record number of passengers nationwide for the holiday. The airline, which operates about 40% of flight capacity at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, expects more than 7.8 million passengers nationwide from Nov. 16-28.

United Airlines expects 2023 to be its busiest Thanksgiving ever, and on Nov. 7 it would add more than 1,400 more domestic flights nationwide during Thanksgiving week to meet travel demand.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is preparing for the crush of travelers. Here's what to know if you're flying for Thanksgiving 2023.

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When are the busiest days to fly for Thanksgiving?

Historically, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day to fly.

On Nov. 27, 2022, the day after last year's Thanksgiving, Transportation Security Administration screeners processed more than 2.5 million passengers nationwide, making it the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The days leading up to Thanksgiving are more hectic than usual, too. The TSA screened from 2.1 million to 2.4 million passengers per day from Nov. 17-23, 2022, the seven days before Thanksgiving, data showed. The busiest day to fly was Nov. 23, 2022, with more than 2.4 million passengers.

Is Thanksgiving Day a good day to fly?

Thanksgiving traditionally is the least busy day of the holiday period. The TSA screened more than 1.4 million passengers on Thanksgiving 2022.

Is Phoenix airport very busy?

Sky Harbor does not forecast Thanksgiving weekend traffic in advance, but data from prior years shows November is one of the airport's busiest months because of Thanksgiving.

The airport recorded more than 3.9 million passengers in November 2022, making it the third-busiest month of 2022 and the busiest of the fall season.

How much does it cost to park at Sky Harbor?

Here's how much passengers can expect to pay to park at Sky Harbor Airport for Thanksgiving 2023:

• Garages at the terminals cost $30 per day. Premium parking close to the terminal elevators costs $33 per day, while valet parking costs $39 per day.
• Three economy garages, one on the airport's west side and two on the east side, charge $16 per day.
• Two economy surface lots, one on the east side and one on the west side near the 24th Street PHX Sky Train station, each charge $14 per day. You can ride the free PHX Sky Train to your terminal.
• An economy "park and walk" lot that offers no transportation to the terminals is $9 per day.

To make sure you get a spot, reserve your parking ahead of time at www.skyharbor.com.

If you didn't make a reservation, use Sky Harbor's Find a Spot tool, at apps.skyharbor.com/findaspot, before you head to the airport. It will show you parking availability and pricing near your terminal.

Off-site parking is available through companies like PreFlight Airport Parking and the Parking Spot. They offer covered and uncovered parking plus shuttle service to and from the terminals.

PreFlight's rates start at $12.50 per day for an uncovered spot. The Parking Spot's rates vary based on demand and the amount of time on the reservation; The Arizona Republic saw rates for a five-day reservation from Nov. 22-27 start at $28.25 per day for uncovered self-parking.

How to drop off or pick up passengers at Sky Harbor

Sky Harbor Airport roadways and terminal curbs will be busier than usual during the holidays.

One way to avoid traffic jams is to pick up and drop off passengers at one of the airport's two PHX Sky Train Stations instead of driving into the terminals.

There's a Sky Train station on the airport's east side at 44th and Washington streets, and another on the west side at 24th Street and Buckeye Road. The passenger can ride the free Sky Train to the terminals.

If you're picking someone up, wait in one of the free cellphone lots at Sky Harbor instead of driving laps around the terminals.

How early do you need to get to Phoenix airport?

Domestic travelers should allow at least two hours before their flight is scheduled to depart. International travelers should allow at least three hours.

Passengers should check their flight status with their airline before arriving at the airport.

Those looking to get through security fast can consider the airport's free PHX Reserve program, where guests can reserve a place in the TSA line. You can also check security wait times online.

New and coming soon at Sky Harbor:A Guy Fieri restaurant and PGA Tour simulator

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.

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