If you are thinking about traveling over the holidays, keep in mind that SEATAC Airport has just been named the 10th busiest airport in the nation, so you need to plan ahead to avoid and/or deal with delays with a minimum of irritation. 

Orbitz Insider Index - 10 busiest airports/compliments of Orbitz.com

Orbitz Insider Index - 10 least busiest airports/compliments of Orbitz.com

Orbitz.com has just released the Insider Index of the busiest airports for Thanksgiving, as well as time-saving tips on navigating bustling airports during the holiday season. The Index also reveals the least busy airports, helping travelers who have not yet booked their airline tickets make an informed decision when choosing their airports.

The Insider Index reviewed the top 50 U.S. airports based on flight bookings, identifying which will be the most and least busy the week of Thanksgiving.  Chicago O’Hare International takes the honor of the busiest airport this Thanksgiving. Rounding out the top three are Los Angeles and Denver International airports. New York-area airports occupy three of the 10 spots on the list, making the Big Apple a hot spot for Thanksgiving travelers.

For the first time, Orbitz also is revealing the least busy airports over the Thanksgiving holiday. While these airports will see a lift in traffic, overall they should be a lot easier for travelers to steer. Those traveling to San Jose can look forward to breezing in and out this Thanksgiving, as SJC will be the least busy domestic airport.

Orbitz Insider- Top 5 tips to save you time and hassle at the airport, both during the holidays and after:

Choose an alternate airport: If you haven’t booked your Thanksgiving travel -- or if you’re looking ahead to Christmas or New Year’s -- consider using alternative smaller airports. These are often much easier to navigate and less crowded. For example, if you’re traveling to Chicago, consider Chicago Midway (MDW); New York-bound travelers may have better luck with crowds at the White Plains Westchester County Airport (HPN); and those heading into or out of Los Angeles may save time by going through Burbank (BUR) or Orange County (SNA).

Stay flexible: If your travel plans are flexible, investigate flying on days that Orbitz predicts will be less busy during the Thanksgiving period. The best bet would be to depart on Nov. 23, 2009 and return on Nov. 30, 2009.

Utilize the Online Check-in option: Where possible take advantage of online check-in and print your boarding passes before arriving at the airport.

Know your flight status: Always check the status of your flight before leaving for the airport. Orbitz bookers can choose to get flight status updates sent to their PDAs or mobile phones, while they’re on the go. Plus, they can choose to send their alerts to 6 others, including those picking them up at the airport.

TSA - Security smarts: Keep anything you need to show airport security such as ID, boarding passes, liquids in a zip-top bag, or medication, in a separate compartment of your carry-on bag. Digging for these items once you get to the front of the security line will cause delays and certainly not make you any friends.

Seattle Travel Industry Examiner's additional travel tips: 

• Don't forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip.  Travel Insurance is offered by most of the airlines and you can get it from your travel agent if you book through one.  The chances of delays, lost baggage and other unfortunate mishaps that can stress a holiday trip are at the least mitigted with travel insurance!
• Be prepared for the additional costs of luggage fees, overweight baggage and food/drink on board the flights. 
• You will need to have a debit card or credit card for purchase of food and drink onboard. 
• If you want a seat with more leg room or towards the front of the cabin, there will likely be an extra charge. 
• With the airlines' reduced capacity during 2009, be prepared for a full flight. Choose an aisle seat, even if it means sitting across the aisle from your companion.  You will both be more comfortable.

For more info: 
Check out the complete list of the Orbitz Insiders’ Top 50 Busiest Airports for Thanksgiving.
 

Notes on Data:
¹Busiest airport data based on air ticket bookings of the top 50 domestic airports on Orbitz.com with arrivals and departures between 11/21/09 and 11/29/09.
²Least busy airport data based on air ticket bookings of the top 50 domestic airports on Orbitz.com with arrivals and departures between 11/21/09 and 11/29/09.

You can contact Carlanne via email:  travelindustryexaminer@gmail.com

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