Thanksgiving holiday travel rush starts early at LaGuardia Airport
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Thanksgiving may still be days away - but for some people at LaGuardia Airport on Friday, the holiday starts now.
"Work has been long, it's been very stressful, and I wanted to make sure that I prioritize spending quality time with my family, so that's why I took the entire week off," said Briana Brown.
The Thanksgiving travel period is expanding.
The FAA still predicts Tuesday to be the busiest day for air travel - with more than 50,000 flights forecasted across the country - but airports are prepared for an increase of travelers starting Friday.
"I think getting home is important and just like get through the day and then you're home and its fine," said Julia Femia.
But while many at LaGuardia on Friday were flying to see family, Fredrick Robinson was traveling for work.
"When you're traveling for pleasure and to see family and just enjoy time with the people you love, you're willing to accept the frustration and all the things that come with holiday travel," Robinson said. "But when you're traveling for other reasons and you're kind of subjected to those frustrations, it's a little bit different."
The Port Authority anticipates about 3.2 million people to travel through area airports starting this Monday through the Monday after Thanksgiving -- that's a 2% increase from 2023.
And with crowds, unpredictable weather and a shortage of air traffic controllers, comes the potential for delays.
Officials are reminding travelers that because of the anticipated crowds, it's particularly important to give yourself extra time, not just once you're at the airport, but also to get to the airport - heavy traffic and lack of available parking is expected as well.
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