Airfares in the U.S. are up as airlines and airports are preparing for a surge in passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday, with the number of travelers expected to hit the highest level in three years
Nearly 55 million Americans will take to the roads, skies and rails for the holiday, with air travel recovering to about 99% of the 2019 levels before the COVID-19 pandemic, travel group AAA estimates.
Weary of coronavirus-related lockdowns, Americans are eager to travel more as the impact of the pandemic eases. However, staffing and aircraft shortages have capped the airline industry's ability to ramp up capacity, resulting in fewer seats and higher fares for travelers. "I'm always a little bit worried about delays because I don't feel like the airlines are as reliable," he said, citing concerns about exposure to COVID-19 on more crowded planes. "Knock on wood that works out.”