Now, San Antonio Sees Thanksgiving Travel Surge as Airport Prepares for Holiday Tourism Rush

Published on November 28, 2025

San Antonio International Airport will be experiencing seemingly unmatched passenger volumes this November holiday season. Officials state that that within the last ten-day period the airport has averaged 25,000 to 30,000 travelers. A further increase in passenger volume is expected. Officials will be coordinating a holiday airport travel hub in support of travelers connecting to and from San Antonio to celebrate and partake in the Thanksgiving holiday.

While the number of anticipated travelers is lower than in previous years, stakeholder reviews of the travel rush period show a successful operational finessing of the travel ecosystem. Travel operations will be tightly calibrated and adjusted to account and cope with the residual effects of the government travel shutdown earlier this year. Having now reopened, SAT is fully and confidently prepared to manage the anticipated holiday travel volume.

Increased Passenger Levels at San Antonio International Airport

As one of the busiest times of the year for the San Antonio International Airport, the Thanksgiving season accounts for around a quarter of a million passengers and even as many as 300,000 passengers every 10-days. Airports across the country have faced difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions on travel and tourism; however, SAN continue to operate at a healthy and robust level of travel.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the SAN ridesharing services are expected to see a surge. SAT is also a major entry point for domestic and international travel to the San Antonio and all of Texas.

Holiday Travel at San Antonio International Airport

San Antonio, Texas, has become a significant contributor to the Texas tourism gaige as a major business and leisure travel center. The city’s historical sites and vibrant culture, coupled with the close proximity to the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk, attracts millions of visitors all year round. The tourism industry particularly hinges on the Thanksgiving holiday season as it signals the commencement of the tourism influx, both international and domestic.

Travelers using the San Antonio International Airport are encouraged to allow extra time to get to the airport, travel through the airport and get to the gate, as Thanksgiving is a peak travel day for the airport. As a result of increased Thanksgiving holiday travel, the airport expects an increase in the number of travelers to the airport, as well as longer wait times in things like security check Defensive Calendars and check in lines. In order to ensure that the airport functions as efficiently as possible, the airport collaborates with the airlines and various government agencies to prepare for the increase in travel on the holiday.

In order to SAT to better meet the needs of travelers and improve travel ease, SAT has taken a number of actions in order to better the current flow and motion of travelers in and around the airport. These actions included the additional people on staff at the security gates, added signs to help people navigate through the airport more efficiently, added more places to purchase food, and gave more food options like a food stall and a small food court.

San Antonio Tourism During Thanksgiving.

Tourism has come to San Antonio and it’s Thanksgiving, and the city has attractions to visit. Recognized the city for it’s long-standing, historical significance and top-ranked diversions/activities, the city of San Antonio is a top tier city for both domestic and foreign people. In San Antonio, The holiday season is often marked by the various events, and the display of holiday light traditions, along with the visitors from many locations.

San Antonio walks the San Antonio River, which is a central part of the city. During for the holidays, the river is decorated and visitors ride on the tour boats, eat meals at the city restaurants, and shop at the small stores. In addition, tourists who wish to view the San Antonio overview and historical sites, like the Alamo and the San Fernando Auditorium, are well known visitors of the cities historical attractions.

Holidays in San Antonio take shape during Thanksgiving with activities that San Antonio businesses host during Ford Holiday River Parade. The Ford Parade is the San Antonio River Walk’s most favorite traditions and most loved. The Ford Parade celebrates the first dancing of the Holiday Lights and music where the River Walk businesses take part in the holiday with dancing floats and the remote light show that is paired with a live band.

Economic Impact of Thanksgiving Travel.

Thanksgiving travel is also economically balanced with the San Antonio airport with the tourism of San Antonio. The hospitality businesses of San Antonio will prepare advanced with the holiday travel with decreased waiting at the San Antonio airport. The businesses that surround the airport prepare for the holiday travel with advance holiday specials.

Increased holiday spent also derives from the airport leading to a decreased received at the San Antonio vehicle. The holiday tourism promotes advanced travel destination to holiday destination with advanced spent.

Advice for Travelers During Holidays at San Antonio International Airport

Thanksgiving is around the corner and San Antonio International Airport encourages passengers to follow a few recommendations to make travel more convenient and seamless:

Arrive Early: To make the travel experience less stressful, the airport suggests arriving early. For domestic flights, it is best to arrive two hours before departure and for international flights, arrive three hours in advance.

Check Status Of Flight: To avoid disappointment, it is best to prepare for the possibility of being delayed. If flights are fully booked, it is even more important to stay updated on the status of your flight.

Mobile Check-In: To avoid long lines for check-in at the airport, make a plan to use the airport’s website to check in.

Smart Packing: Be conscious of your belongings as restrictions are in place for what is able to be packed to ensure the security measures will not hold up the travel process.

Familiarize Yourself With Amenities: To improve the travel experience and make it less stressful, SAT makes available lounges, food and easy access to the internet.

Conclusion

With the Thanksgiving travel period approaching, San Antonio International Airport is braced for a record number of travelers over the holiday period. Although the number is lower than anticipated based on previous years, the travel staff are confident that the demand surge over the holiday period and the expected levels of air travel will be handled satisfactorily, thus maximizing the travel benefits available to holiday travelers. As San Antonio continues to experience a high level of Thanksgiving holiday travel, the activities, events, and culturally enriching experiences available to travelers will further enhance the desirability of the destination over the holiday period.