Holiday 2017: Avoid These Times At California Airports

The roads, railways and skies are going to be especially crowded this holiday weekend, as the number of people traveling for Thanksgiving is expected to hit its highest level in over a decade.

AAA estimates nearly 51 million Americans will hit the road, travel by train or take to the skies to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving. That would be a 3.3 percent increase over last year and the most holiday travelers since 2005, according to the auto club.

About 28.5 million passengers will use domestic airlines during the 12-day Thanksgiving air-travel period from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28, Airlines for America predicts. That would be a 3.2 percent increase over last year, according to the industry trade organization for U.S. airlines.

Daily passenger volumes will range from 1.61 million to 2.88 million, with the busiest travel day projected to be this coming Sunday, with an estimated 2.88 million passengers, according to Airlines for America.

Flying over the holidays can be stressful with airports being more crowded than usual. In addition to the crowds, there are unexpected weather delays, long layovers and lost luggage.

To help make flying a little less stressful, Lyft pulled data from last year to show the busiest days and times for rides to and from airports to help travelers plan ahead.

"As expected, there are certain days, like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, that are traditionally packed days at the airport," Lyft San Diego Market Manager Hao Meng said. "However, the data also shows us that people want to try and spend as much time with their families as possible, getting to the airport early mornings prior to the holiday and returning late evening on the last day possible before work or even the morning of work."

These are the times travelers should avoid some of the busiest airports in California during the holiday season, based on last year's data from Lyft:

San Diego International Airport

The busiest drop-off dates and times at San Diego International Airport, in descending order by ride volume:

1. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23): 4-7 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. Two days before Christmas (Dec. 23): 4-7 a.m.
3. Three days before Christmas (Dec. 22): 4-7 a.m.

The busiest pickup dates and times from San Diego International Airport:

1. Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27): 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
2. Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 28): 8 a.m.
3. Day after Christmas (Dec. 26): 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
4. Two days after Christmas (Dec. 27): 8 p.m. to midnight

John Wayne Airport (in Orange County):

The busiest drop-off and pickup dates at John Wayne Airport:

1. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23)
2. Two days before Christmas (Dec. 23)
3. Three days before Christmas (Dec. 22)
4. Friday, Dec. 16
5. Friday, Dec. 9

The busiest drop-off times were 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Los Angeles International Airport

The busiest drop-off and pickup dates at LAX:

1. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23)
2. Two days before Christmas (Dec. 23)
3. Three days before Christmas (Dec. 22)
4. Four days before Christmas (Dec. 21)
5. Two days before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22)

The busiest drop-off times were 6 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

San Francisco International Airport

The busiest drop-off and pickup dates and times at SFO:

1. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23): 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
2. Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27): 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
3. Two days before Christmas (Dec. 23): 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
4. Two days after Christmas (Dec. 27): 6 p.m. to midnight

ALSO SEE:

• 2017 CA Thanksgiving Travel Guide: Peak, Minimal Traffic Times
• Black Friday 2017: Best Stores In California For Deals

Main photo: Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press