Thanksgiving holiday travelers from Tucson and across the nation can expect one of the busiest holiday seasons in recent history, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
AAA says nearly 55 million people — including more than 1 million from Arizona — are expected to travel for Thanksgiving, an an increase of 1.5% over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic travel volume.
Air travel is predicted to see the greatest growth in holiday travelers, with about 4.5 million people taking to the skies, a nearly 8% increase over 2021.
The upcoming holiday is projected to be one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades, said Brian Ng of AAA Arizona.
Tucson International Airport expects to be busy as October passenger traffic at TIA surpassed October 2019 — the first month that passenger levels have exceeded the pre-pandemic benchmark year.
A total of 317,546 airline passengers went through TIA this October, a year-over-year increase of 15% over the 275,941 of October 2021 and, for the first time, 2% above the total for the same month in 2019, the Tucson Airport Authority said.
Danette Bewley, president and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority said the airport sees strong capacity increases and load factors through the extended holiday season, with 24% more seats available than last year.
Here’s some tips and reminders for holiday travelers:
On the road
Road traffic peaks the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, AAA notes, advising motorists to travel during off-peak periods (before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.), if possible.
Gas prices across Arizona are more than 50 cents per gallon higher than last year. Find the lowest gas prices on your travel route with services like the AAA Mobile App or Gasbuddy.com.
It pays to give your vehicle a pre-trip checkup. AAA notes that more than 400,000 Thanksgiving travelers are expected to call AAA for roadside assistance nationwide.
The Transportation Security Administration details the benefits of enrolling in the agency's PreCheck program for expedited security checks. Video courtesy of the Transportation Security Administration.
At the airport
Airport parking lots fill up fast, so reserve a spot ahead of time. Rates for on-airport parking at TIA were increased on Nov. 1.
Arrive early — two hours ahead of domestic flight departures is recommended during holiday periods.
Expect long Transportation Security Administration checkpoint lines, and consider not checking a bag for additional flexibility if flights are delayed or rescheduled.
Enroll in the TSA’s PreCheck program to avoid long checkpoint lines.
Travelers are no longer required to wear masks at TIA and other U.S. airports, and they are optional on all major domestic carriers.
Photos: Tucson International Airport history in photos
Curtiss biplanes from the U.S. Army Air Corps at Tucson Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in 1933.
Tucson Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in Feb. 1933.
Tucson Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in Feb. 1933.
Runway lights at Tucson Municipal Airport, likely ca 1940s.
An old control tower at the Tucson Municipal Airport, now known as the Tucson International Airport. In the background are three hangars, one of which served as the old terminal building. Passengers waited in the shade of a long porch that extended from the terminal before walking to the airplane and climbing portable stairs to board the plane. The three hangars were the first buildings erected at the airport when it opened at its present location in the 1940s. They are still standing, and are located on the airport's west ramp.Â
Tucson Airport Authority "Rainbow" tower. Each layer painted a different color. Circa 1950.
Artist's rendering of what the control tower and operations building at Tucson International Airport will look like, January 14, 1957.
The new Tucson Municipal Airport control tower shortly after completion in 1958
Tucson International Airport iconic control tower in September, 1968.
Tucson International Airport tower in 1985.
A time exposure at Tucson International Airport in December, 1978. The lines are navigation lights from jets taking off.
The terminal building at the Tucson Municipal Airport, now known as the Tucson International Airport. Passengers waited in the shade of a long porch that extended from the terminal before walking to an airplane and climbing portable stairs to board the plane.
Passenger ramp under construction at Tucson Municipal Airport in 1948. Looking southeast from the original terminal building on the west side of the airport.
A pilot exits an F-84F Thunderstreak of the Arizona Air National Guard during the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at Tucson International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.
Spectators watch Arizona Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at Tucson International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.
Maj. Philip Colman streaks along the runway at 700 mph in an F-84F Thunderstreak as Arizona Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at Tucson International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.
Arizona Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at Tucson International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.
Tucson Municipal Airport air traffic controllers "scramble" Air National Guard fighter interceptor jets in March, 1959.
An Arizona Air National Guard F-100 fighter takes off from Tucson International Airport in June, 1965.
A new restaurant, left, opened with the RONtel Motel for "transient aviation" at the base of the tower at Tucson International Airport in 1960. Both buildings were designed by Tucson architect Arthur Brown.
The U.S. Weather Bureau office in 1959, near the flight line at Tucson Municipal Airport provided weather information for pilots and weather reports for Tucson residents.
Hangers on the west side of Tucson International Airport in 1970. The hangers were built in 1940s by Consolidated Vultee for modifications to B-24 bombers.
Vehicles pour out of the Grand Central Aircraft Company and other businesses at Tucson International Airport onto Nogales Highway in February, 1952. The Hughes Aircraft Co. building is under construction in the upper left corner. Note the Southern Pacific steam locomotive puffing down the tracks and what look to be Boeing B-29 bombers from WWII on the tarmac at Grand Central.
Tucson Municipal Airport in 1955 before the iconic Tower was constructed. Photo taken looking southeast. Hangers on the west side of Tucson International Airport in 1970. The hangers were built in 1940s by Consolidated Vultee for modifications to B-24 bombers.
Tucson International Airport manager Charles Broman interrupts welder Paul Allison while admiring his work on a new Tucson airport sign on Valencia Road in 1964.
High altitude aerial photo of Tucson International Airport in 1970.
The new terminal at Tucson International Airport in 1963: The car ramp at right leads from the passenger unloading area.
The Tucson International Airport passenger terminals under construction in March, 1963.
A 1963 photograph of the Tucson International Airport looking towards the southwest.
A 1963 photo of the construction of the terminal at Tucson International Airport.
Construction of Tucson International Airport, May 11, 1963.
Thomas G. Hickey (left), Sky Chef manager in Tucson, and Charles Broman, TAA general manager, examine the lobby in the new airline terminal at Tucson International Airport on Nov. 15, 1963.
Tucson International Airport in September, 1968.
Tucson International Airport passenger concourse in September, 1968.
Tucson International Airport passenger gates in September, 1968.
Tucson International Airport control tower in September, 1971.
Aerial view of the Tucson International Airport terminal and the approach road on March 28, 1966.
Undated aerial of the Tucson area with Tucson International Airport on the bottom along with Hughes Aircraft, later Raytheon. Photo is looking north toward the Santa Catalina Mountains on the right.
In this July 13, 1984 photo, Joseph Bonanno, a reputed mafia figure, walks through Tucson International Airport with his family after his parole from a federal prison in Lexington, Ky. Bonanno served nearly eight months of a 366 day sentence for obstructing justice.
Cactus Little League Team arrives at Tucson International Airport on August 28, 1973 after winner the championships.
On September 18, 1974, convicted California mass slayers Douglas E. Gretzer (with sack in front of face) and Willie L. Steelman were returned to Tucson from Vacaville Prision to face murder charges. The two men were hustled to the jail from Tucson International Airport under heavy police guard.
Travelers arriving at Tucson International Airport look for their luggage on Dec. 22, 1977.
New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, left, and actress Ann-Margaret arrived at Tucson International Airport on April, 10, 1970, and were greeted by a "posse" who branded them as horse thieves. The two were in Tucson for filming of the movie, "C.C. Ryder and Company," written by Ann-Margaret's husband, Roger Smith (a University of Arizona graduate).
Linda Ronstadt arrives at Tucson International Airport on Sept. 16, 1976 for a benefit concert for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Sen. Lyndon Johnson's campaign plane at Tucson International Airport on Sept. 15, 1960, during a Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign event. His motorcade is assembled in foreground. Johnson flew first to Phoenix. He "hand-shook and child-hugged his way through a small crowd," according to the Tucson Citizen.
Actress Jayne Mansfield with boyfriend (later husband) MIckey Hargitay, left, and notable actor Broderick Crawford at Tucson International Airport in March, 1957. The trio was in town for a party at a local dude ranch. Actress Mariska Hargitay is their daughter.
Riding with from airport with John F. Kennedy during the Democratic Presidential candidate's 1960 visit to Tucson were City Democratic Chairman David Ginsburg, County Vice Chairman Joe Huerta, Mayor Don Hummel and County Democratic Chairman Frank Minarik. From "Jack Sheaffer's Tucson 1945-1965."
Robert F. Kennedy is greeted by many admirers at the Tucson International Airport during his campaign. He is to speak at the University of Arizona. March 29, 1968.
Texas Governor/Republican Presidential candidate George W. Bush Jr., greeted by Ray Castillo, Repub. Ward 1 candidate, Bob Walkup, Repub. mayoral candidate, Rick Grinnell, Repub. ward 2 candidate and Jim Click at the Executive terminal of Tucson Int. Airport in 1999.
Bernie Martin, an air traffic controller at Tucson International Airport, watches from his perch 10-stories above the tarmac as he keeps an eye on air traffic in 2005. Martin has been working as a controller with the FAA since 1981.
An Arizona Air National Guard KC-135 tanker makes a low pass over the iconic control tower at Tucson International Airport, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
It is one of the Busiest days of the year at Tucson International Airport. Here Passengers pick up there luggage from a flight on Dec. 23, 1997.
The Tucson International Airport tower in 2000.
Air traffic controller Ryan Holaway watches the airspace over Tucson International Airport from the control tower, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
Monique Medina waits for her mother to pick her up from the Tucson International Airport on Nov. 20, 2007, after spending 24 hours trying to get home from New York City were she attends School.
Ceiling tiles are down as renovations taking place at Tucson International Airport in May, 2007, in what will be formerly known as the A concourse.
On patrol: Arizona National Guard has been called on to provide a new element of security at Tucson International Airport on Oct. 9, 2001.
U.S. Air Force staff sergeant Garrett Wilkes gets to hold his one-month old son Colton for the first time after returning from duty at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to Tucson International Airport on June 20, 2013.
An Arizona Air National Guard F16 takes off as it passes the $42 million control tower which is under construction during regular daily activities at Tucson International Airport in April, 2015.
The new air traffic control tower, right, is juxtaposed with the older, more familiar tower at the Tucson International Airport in Nov. 2015.
Air traffic controllers watch for traffic from the new 252 foot tall Tucson Air Traffic Control Tower on September 23, 2016.Â
