With Thanksgiving around the corner and TSA restoring operations following the federal government shutdown, Houston Airports and AAA are ready for the busy holiday travel period.

Approximately 5.8 million Texans are expected to travel during this year’s Thanksgiving travel period (Nov. 25 to Dec. 1), a 1.1% increase over last year and a potential new record, according to AAA Texas.

Nearly 90% of that total, about 5.3 million travelers, are expected to take to the road in Texas.

“Thanksgiving travel is a true Texas tradition,” said Galen Grillo, Vice President and General Manager of AAA Texas. “From road trips along I-35 and I-10 to flights out of DFW and Houston, Texans go the distance to spend time with family and friends. It’s one of the busiest—and most meaningful—times to travel each year.”

Nationally, this Thanksgiving is projected to be the busiest on record, with an expected 81.8 million travelers, a 2.0% increase from 2024 and up 5.2% from 2019 according to AAA Texas.  

Taking it to the Skies 

Between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1, Houston Airports is expecting to welcome more than 2.1 million passengers through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Hobby Airports.

According to a press release from Houston Airports, IAH could see more than 1.6 million passengers, while Hobby Airport could see around 500,000 travelers.

TSA checkpoints at IAH Terminals A, C, D and E are open, now that the government shutdown is over. According to the release, “TSA has resumed normal operations at Hobby Airport.”

Data from AAA shows that a roundtrip domestic flight is averaging $700, which is similar to what travelers paid when they booked their Thanksgiving trips last year. Gasoline prices in Texas are also about the same as 2024, $2.61 per gallon on average.

Written by Norma Salcedo