This is what to expect when you travel this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, and it’s got plenty of exercise in the air and in the country. Things have shifted a bit with the pandemic, but now that all states have COVID-19 vaccines, the vacation is likely to feel a little more normal than it was last year.

According to the AAA, travel numbers over this Thanksgiving are expected to be as high as they were before the pandemic. In a statement, the organization said it expects over 53 million Americans to travel over the holiday weekend. These numbers represent a 13% increase compared to last year’s Thanksgiving Day.

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“Get to the airport early because you will have plenty of company this year. We’re almost back to pre-pandemic levels so there will be queues at the TSA, ”an AAA spokesman told CBS News.

AAA officials say that whether you are traveling by plane or car, people should prepare in advance, expect traffic, and leave as early as possible to avoid crowds and delays. When driving, they suggest leaving on Wednesday before noon or waiting until Thursday morning to get on the road.

Aside from the fact that vaccines are readily available, another factor that AAA takes into account is the reopening of US borders to a wide variety of countries. Now that there are fewer travel restrictions, more passengers and visitors are expected on both international and domestic flights.

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As the number of passengers rises, so does the likelihood of airlines collapsing, which is becoming more common as the pandemic progresses. “Even before the pandemic, reports of long delays, cancellations and stranded passengers were something of a vacation tradition,” Willis Orlando of Scotts Cheap Flights told CNN. “This year people are understandably more nervous than ever.”

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There aren’t many ways to prevent airport drama, but you can minimize the risk by booking an early flight that has fewer delays and bad weather. Make sure you arrive at the airport on time, at least two hours in advance, of the arrival of your travel date. The last resort in these cases is travel insurance, which offers a solution if a flight is canceled or delayed.