Big increase expected in Thanksgiving travel

An increase in travel for the Thanksgiving holiday is expected this year, with hotels across the state already beginning to fill up.

AAA has predicted that more than 53.4 million people will be traveling for Thanksgiving. This number is up 13 percent from 2020 making it the highest single-year increase since 2005.

A further breakdown of this prediction indicates that 48.3 million people are expect to drive and 4.2 million people are expected to travel by plane, which would be an 80 percent increase compared to last year.

Bradley International Airport released a news release indicating that it is ready for the increase in travel, and is expecting pre-pandemic levels of passenger volume.

“The Connecticut Airport Authority anticipates the recovery of passenger traffic to continue at Bradley International Airport this holiday season and preparations are well underway for the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period,” airport officials said in the release.

The airport indicated that the busiest passenger departure dates are expected to be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the following Sunday.

Bradley officials recommend travelers arrive early, have a plan in place for parking, and to be aware of all COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions before arriving at the airport.

Fran Mayko, spokeswoman for AAA Northeast, said that there are a few reasons for the increase in travel this year, including many domestic and international borders being reopened this year, and a “pent-up desire to travel” after not being able to do so during the pandemic.

“Holiday travel is looking very different from last year so, prepare for busy roads and packed airports between Nov. 23 and 27,” Mayko said.

She advised that drivers should consider leaving for travel destinations after 9 p.m. on Wednesday; before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, and before noon on Saturday or Sunday.

Those looking to book hotel rooms or other lodging accommodations for the holiday should be already be preparing as well. Some hotels in the state are already filled up for Thanksgiving day, including the Hilton Garden Inn at 560 Main Ave in Norwalk.

Hotel General Manager Helen Kevin said that rooms for Wednesday and Thursday are also filling up fast.

“We are completely sold out for Thanksgiving,” Kevin said. “It did fill up faster this year.”

She said that rooms filling up for Thanksgiving is usually the case, but believes that it may have happened faster this year because there are fewer travel restrictions in place.

“I think because it’s a little more relaxed because of COVID restrictions lifting and people being more comfortable,” Kevin said.

She said she has seen an increase in business over the last three months, after international restrictions began lifting.

The situation is similar at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 45 South Main St. in Norwalk. Front desk agent Veronica Norris said that rooms are filling up quickly.

“We don’t have a lot of room on Thanksgiving,” Norris said.

She offered succinct advice for any travelers yet to book their hotel.

“Anyone that wants rooms should definitely book now,” Norris said.

There is still some availability around the state. Martin Weiler, the assistant general manager at the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 135 Harvard Ave. in Stamford, said lodgers still have time to book rooms there.

“We have plenty of availability,” Weiler said.

There are rooms still available at the Best Western Executive Hotel at 490 Saw Mill Road in West Haven as well, but front desk agent Domenica Lucero said it is expecting to reach full capacity on Thanksgiving.

“For the 25th it’s a little bit busy, but that’s expected,” Lucero said.

She said that to be safe, travelers should get their reservations sorted out sooner rather than later.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released its tips for Thanksgiving travel. Those can be seen on “Activities, Gatherings and Holidays” section of the CDC website.