If you think Thanksgiving travel will be light this year, think again.
US airlines are offering 10 percent fewer seats than they did last year, according to the Air Transport Association of America, and the number of passengers is expected to drop 10 percent to 23.4 million. But planes are likely to be as full as ever during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period that started Friday.
"Despite the expected decline in passengers this Thanksgiving holiday travel season - the first such decline in seven years - Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel time of the year for airlines," the trade association's chief executive, James C. May, said in a statement. "And make no mistake - the airports will be busy and many flights will be 100 percent full."
The roads aren't likely to be any better. Even though economic woes will keep some travelers at home, gas prices that are 33 percent lower than a year ago have some travelers still planning to hit the roads: More than 33.2 million Americans are expected to travel by automobile, a 1.2 percent decrease from a year ago, according to AAA.
No matter how you choose to travel, consider these tips:
Fees, fees, fees This year, most airlines for the first time are charging fees for checked luggage. Research what your airline will charge for and pack accordingly. Most airlines recommend checking their websites for new fees, such as curbside check-in, choice seats, and in-flight food and beverages.
Parking Avoid circling for a parking space at the airport by reserving one online at www.AirportParkingReservations.com or by calling 1-800-PARKING. The company offers spaces at more than 250 self-park or valet lots at more than 65 US and Canadian airports, including Logan International Airport in Boston. You may even snag a discounted rate.
Arrive early Logan recommends getting to the airport 30 minutes earlier than you normally would. So, you should reach the airport two hours before a domestic flight and two and a half hours before an international departure.
Get perks Logan plans to have three to eight employees in the terminal check-in areas today from 6 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. They'll pull your luggage for you, provide directions, and walk you through the check-in process. And the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority will provide free coffee from 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving to 5 a.m. Friday at all 11 turnpike service plazas.
Painless pick up Make it easy for people to pick you up at the airport. While many airlines and travel websites will call or send text messages with flight updates, those usually must be signed up for in advance. FlightView.com, a Boston company providing real-time flight information free online and over Internet-enabled mobile devices, allows anyone to track your flight without needing to remember the carrier's name or the flight number. The service will list all the flights by route, so as long as your airport greeter knows roughly when your plane was scheduled to depart, or arrive, they can probably figure out which flight you're on and watch it traverse the map.
More security on trains Put your name and address on your luggage and carry photo identification, even if you're not flying. Amtrak introduced random luggage security checks this year and is bumping up searches during the holiday period. If you don't have a photo ID to prove who you are and that the bags belong to you, security may delay you from boarding the train.
Road warriors Plan your road trip so you avoid hitting cities or Mass. Pike Exit 9 in Sturbridge during peak periods, such as the evening commute today or noon on Thanksgiving. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority predicts the lightest traffic on the turnpike today will be in the early morning or after 8 p.m. Call the state's 511 traffic information line or check www.masspike.com for updated information.
Lightenyour load United Airlines now offers overnight door-to-door baggage shipping service through FedEx Express for $149 per bag one way for flights less than 1,000 miles, or $179 per bag one way for longer flights. And no more lost luggage: You can track your baggage on the airline's website. Additionally, look for free-shipping offers so you don't have to weigh down your luggage with Black Friday purchases. For example, seven InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, including the one in Boston, will ship one 30-pound box of your purchases anywhere in the continental United States free of charge.
Nicole C. Wong can be reached at nwong@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
Delta Air Lines baggage handler Dzenan Gusic takes a break during a lull in Terminal A at Logan International Airport yesterday.
(Bill Greene/Globe Staff)
