Pittsburgh International Airport Joins Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, LaGuardia, Minneapolis, and Other U.S. Airports in Facing Record Breaking Thanksgiving Crowds: Prepare Now!

Published on November 29, 2025

This Thanksgiving brings Pittsburgh International Airport alongside Dallas International Airport, Phoenix International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Minneapolis Airport as they all face record-breaking Thanksgiving crowds for the first time. This year’s travel rush is expected to be one unlike any other. With thousands of travelers expected to utilize these airports, there is a definite need for preparation in advance of the travel madness. Pittsburgh International Airport, Dallas, Phoenix, and Seattle are all airports that will experience a large surge of travel, which could affect your holiday travel plans. If you are traveling through LaGuardia, Minneapolis, or any other airport in the United States, you should be prepared for the same situation: full capacity in airport terminals, large wait times, and excessive travel congestion. Preparedness is key to making sure you don’t miss your flight or wait longer than you should for your flight. With advanced travel preparation, you should have no trouble traveling through one of these airports. This article offers invaluable information that will assist you while navigating the record-breaking Thanksgiving crowds through these major airports. Moving forward will give you the most beneficial information regarding these airports!

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times to travel across the United States, and this year is shaping up to be even busier than all other years. Air travel will be the most heavily congested than in any other year. In particular, passengers will be lining up in mass numbers to get on and off planes. Pittsburgh International Airport is prepared for the busiest travel surge in its history.

There has been a 10% increase in travelers since a $1.7 billion terminal opened. This has resulted in an expectation of 320,000 travelers over an 8-day span. This is an estimate of 40,000 travelers per day, when 30,000 is the average.

This has been a problem across major US airports. The holiday break is a mad scramble across every major world airport.

Why You Should Worry About the Surge in Thanksgiving Travel, Pittsburgh-wide and nationwide

This is the burst of a record-breaking travel surge. Alongside Pittsburgh, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and Seattle-Tacoma are expected to experience their busiest travel days in store. Although in most of these airports there are large crowds. Pittsburgh does not have extensive experience and has not had an airport to get a new terminal.

If you think you’re going to get an efficient airport with no delays, you are the most mistaken. Places like LaGuardia (LGA) or Harry Reid International (LAS) are also suggesting people to come 2 hours before the travel.

No individual can ignore the many obstacles and issues that Pittsburgh International Airport is bound to face because the new terminal will be nothing less than a logistical nightmare and a source of frustration for everyone involved: long TSA lines, full parking lots, and user-inefficient layout of the new terminal. With less than a week to go until Thanksgiving and the beginning of the busiest travel of the year, airport officials will be facing a barrage of concerned inquiries and complaints stemming from the inflow of over 400,000 in a week once the airport goes operational. How will the airport manager respond?? What cha doin’?

All of Pittsburgh International Airport’s New Terminal’s $1.7B has Been Installed, now the New Terminal gets to face its new operational challenges. New terminals and new gates create operational challenges and confusion for travelers, and longer-than-expected wait times. 12 new TSA security checkpoint stations and enhanced security will do little to mitigate the travel overcapacity that PIT is about to face.

Just wait for the parking lot security line delays, shuttle lot complaints to populate. Disregarding the 10-minute shuttle times

Here’s the situation: if you are departing from PIT, you must start preparing in advance. Showing up at least two hours before your scheduled departure is inevitable. You will be struggling with the mass of people, attempting to maneuver your way through unfamiliar systems, and dealing with travel delays from other irritated and tired passengers.

However, your attention should not be limited to Pittsburgh. The other parts of the U.S. is currently facing the same challenge. Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Seattle are preparing for unprecedented levels of delays as they try to manage the all-time high demand for air travel this Thanksgiving.

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – The Epicenter of Travel Mayhem

It will be absolute chaos at this airport, and with the number of people traveling through the airport, DFW’s huge size, and immense volume of travelers, there will definitely be secured delays, longer lines to get through, and issues with baggage delays. So if you don’t want to miss your flight, it’s essential to get to the airport with enough time to get through the multiple terminals.

To top it all off, there is no way to get around DFW. The bottom line? Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to avoid the absolute worst, especially during peak travel hours when the airport is most crowded.

Phoenix Sky Harbor-Major Thanksgiving Rush

Meanwhile, Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is also a giant player with its Thanksgiving mayhem, given the large volume of people traveling at the time. As a major Southwest and West Coast flights hub, he is also a major player of Southwest. He’s a major transport hub, and like all major transport hubs, has a large volume of people at all times, so be ready for some long lines and big crowds.

For a time during the Thanksgiving period, PHX has been reporting large volumes of wait time over the past few years, and with a large overflow of vehicles in the airport lots, Parking has been a large issue. At least 20% of passengers will experience wait times, and 20% of passengers will experience delays in boarding.

Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)-More Traffic Congestion Around The Holidays

Seattle-Tacoma International is also preparing for a major Thanksgiving Traffic Congestion. SEA is notorious for its congestion, and there are long wait times for everything. The wait times for boarding and all passengers for all transport services, such as buses and taxis, will experience major delays. Too, there is a major traffic congestion, and there is a major traffic congestion, and there is also a major traffic congestion for his airport.

Tip: Prepare for the worst – Be prepared to spend longer than anticipated at security, check-in, and baggage claim. SEA has been notoriously unpunctual, so don’t think about skipping out on extra time for parking as well.

Harry Reid International (LAS) – Vegas in a Frenzy

Harry Reid International (LAS) is the pulse of Las Vegas, and this Thanksgiving, it’s going to be a full-blown circus. LAS is the airport for Thanksgiving events and thousands of tourists. Passengers will be flying to Vegas to see family, relax, or check out a show.

With shuttle waits long and parking lots at capacity, the advice is to get there on time and expect your usual 10-minute drive to the terminal to drag on for 30 minutes.

LaGuardia (LGA) – Big Apple Travel Woes

LaGuardia, already notorious for delays, is seeing its worst Thanksgiving of all time. With construction going on and terminal overcrowding, it’s guaranteed to be a disaster for the holidays. Be prepared for security to have a long wait time and plan for a great deal of confusion around the terminal.

To LaGuardia, Arrive Early

For customers traveling to LaGuardia, prepare to be frustrated and likely face several delays, as LaGuardia is historically one of the busiest and most chaotic airports in the country.

MSP in Minneapolis is likely on track for the busiest Thanksgiving in the airport’s history

Multipassenger MSP is on track to be the busiest in history as an estimated 37 million passengers travel through the airport in 2024. Expect disruptions as the airport is always chaotic, especially during the holiday travel season.

RSW: Racing to Meet the Demand

RSW has to be one of the fastest-growing airports during the holiday season. Expect overwhelming wait times and disruptions. If you have the option, reserve a seat in one of the faster-moving lines. If you must travel to the airport, be prepared for delays as parking is almost certain to be full.

Thanksgiving Travel Tips

So this Thanksgiving, the most important thing if you are flying is to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, as the is expected to be a record-breaking surge of travelers. People flying during Thanksgiving are expected to spend more time at the airport than usual. So remember to be patient. Parking is difficult, so look for options in nearby parking lots or reserve parking if they have that available.

Thanksgiving Travel Surge is Upcoming

Thanksgiving travel is expected to break records this year as the volume of travelers increases greatly. Airports are going to be crowded, with a long wait in security lines, car traffic is going to be difficult, and the overall experience is going to take more time than normal. If you travel this holiday, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.