This particular week of the year centers around the spirit of gratitude, reflection, and togetherness. Yet, amid the collective appreciation, there remains one aspect many people find difficult to be thankful for—traveling. Thanksgiving week unfailingly creates one of the most chaotic travel periods of the entire calendar year, crowding highways with traffic jams and congesting airports with long lines and stressed-out passengers. In fact, this year’s celebrations are expected to push air travel to unprecedented heights, with projections suggesting that roughly thirty-one million individuals will take to the skies, marking yet another record-breaking surge in holiday movement.
If I were to offer my most practical piece of advice, it would be simple: avoid traveling altogether. That is, quite honestly, my personal choice this season. Nevertheless, I fully acknowledge that such a suggestion offers little assistance to those who already have their plans locked in and can’t simply opt out. For that reason, I turned to someone who possesses far deeper expertise in this field—my esteemed colleague and Business Insider’s seasoned senior aviation reporter, Taylor Rains—who graciously shared a collection of last-minute strategies for navigating the stresses of holiday travel.
Dan: From early forecasts, it seems that Mother Nature herself may complicate matters this year. Portions of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, along with nearly the entire stretch of the East Coast, are expected to encounter challenging weather conditions today. How severe could these disruptions become, not only for travelers in those specific regions, but for people across the broader national network?
Taylor: Thunderstorms around Dallas/Fort Worth have already wreaked considerable havoc, causing hundreds of delays at the city’s two major airports just this Monday. What many passengers don’t realize is that these seemingly localized weather events can send ripple effects throughout the entire aviation system. When a single hub experiences disruption, aircraft, pilots, and flight attendants can be displaced from their planned routes. Moreover, crew members can “time out”—meaning they reach their maximum legal working hours after prolonged waiting periods and thus cannot continue flying. Consequently, even if skies are crystal clear in Los Angeles, your outbound flight might still face a three-hour delay rooted in severe weather halfway across the country.
Matters become even more complicated for those traveling through smaller regional airports such as Key West or White Plains. These facilities typically have fewer planes and personnel standing by, limiting an airline’s ability to substitute aircraft or reassign crews quickly when flights fall behind schedule. In some cases, airlines simply cannot rectify the disruption at all until the system resets.
Dan: Yikes—that sounds daunting. So if a traveler suddenly finds themselves marooned in the terminal amid serious delays, what’s the most effective course of action they can take?
Taylor: The most important step is to resist panic. Travelers have more control than they often realize. When a delay or cancellation strikes, the fastest way to secure your next plan of action is to use your airline’s digital tools. Most carriers allow passengers to rebook through their mobile apps or official websites, enabling them to adjust itineraries to earlier, later, or next-day flights without needing to stand in endless in-person queues. This digital path is generally far quicker than waiting on a phone line clogged with other frustrated callers. For maximum efficiency, I suggest employing a dual strategy: get in line at the counter while simultaneously working through the app. That way, whichever option resolves first salvages your trip sooner.
Dan: Let’s imagine there are absolutely no rebooking options left—what happens then?
Taylor: The answer depends on the root cause of the delay. When the airline bears responsibility—say, due to maintenance problems, scheduling mistakes, or crew shortages—most carriers provide complimentary lodging, ground transportation, and meal vouchers for travelers stranded overnight. To confirm what entitlements apply, passengers should review the government’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard, which offers clear, standardized policy comparisons.
If, however, the disruption stems from factors outside the airline’s control, such as storms or natural events, the level of compensation becomes far less certain. Some airlines may extend goodwill gestures—light meals or vouchers—but they are not legally required to do so. Still, it never hurts to inquire politely, as individual agents sometimes have flexibility. Those who purchased tickets using premium credit cards may also find relief through built-in travel insurance benefits; for instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has reimbursed me personally for unexpected expenses multiple times.
Above all, travelers should remember one fundamental right: if your flight is canceled, regardless of the underlying reason, and you choose not to rebook, you are entitled by law to a full refund of your fare. That assurance offers a degree of peace amid the turbulence.
Dan: Alright, time for the most serious question—window or aisle?
Taylor: I confess I once swore by the window seat, drawn to the views and solitude it provided. Yet now, I gladly pay extra for the aisle every time. During my pregnancy, I continued to fly frequently, and being able to stand, stretch, and reach the restroom without disturbing anyone became invaluable. Since then, convenience has permanently won me over.
In essence, while the frenzy of Thanksgiving travel can test one’s patience and composure, understanding the systems at play, staying calm, and knowing one’s rights can transform a potential ordeal into a manageable inconvenience. Preparation, flexibility, and a measured mindset remain the most reliable companions on any crowded holiday journey.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/bi-today-newsletter-what-to-do-thanksgiving-travel-chaos-2025-11
