As we approach the end of the year pack with holidays, many of us are planning on traveling to see loved ones or taking a much-needed vacation. However, there is one day in particular that stands out as the busiest travel day of the year: Black Wednesday

This day, also known as Thanksgiving Eve, sees a surge in travelers across the United States. On this day, airports and highways alike are packed with people trying to get home for Thanksgiving dinner or start their holiday travels.

It can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for even the most seasoned traveler. But why is Black Wednesday so busy? And what can you do to make your travels smoother?

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The History of Black Wednesday

The history of Black Wednesday dates back to the 1950s when Thanksgiving Eve became known as a busy travel day. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the post-World War II era, when more people had access to cars and highways were being built across the country.

As families began to spread out geographically, it became more common for people to travel home for Thanksgiving. As a result, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving quickly became one of the busiest travel days of the year. This trend continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but it wasn't until the early 1980s that it earned its now-infamous nickname 'Black Wednesday'.

This name was coined by police officers in Philadelphia who noticed a significant increase in traffic accidents on this day. Despite its darker connotations, Black Wednesday remains an important part of American holiday traditions.

For many families, it's a time to come together and celebrate with loved ones before settling down for a long weekend filled with food and football. And while some may grumble about crowded airports or bumper-to-bumper traffic on their way home, most agree that there's something special about this particular day.

In recent years, however, there has been a shift away from traditional holiday travel patterns. More and more people are choosing to stay home for Thanksgiving or take shorter trips closer to home.

Reasons for the High Volume of Travel

Many factors contribute to the high volume of travel on Black Wednesday including the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. With the holiday you get a host of other factors including school and work breaks and gathering with family for the holiday which drives travel up much higher than any other day of the year.

Thanksgiving as a National Holiday

Thanksgiving is a holiday that you have no doubt celebrated throughout your life if you are from America. Most people view Turkey, pie, football, and family as a guarantee in late November and will continue to celebrate it for years to come.

In recent years, Thanksgiving has consistently been one of the busiest travel periods in the United States. According to data from AAA, over 55 million people traveled during Thanksgiving in 2019. Even with Covid-19 happening in the last few years, travel has started to pick back up to pre-pandemic levels and it will continue to grow year after year.

School Breaks and Work Schedules

With school breaks and work schedules often aligned, many families take advantage of Thanksgiving as an opportunity for a much-needed vacation.

But with COVID-19 regularly impacting travel plans, flexible scheduling, and remote work have become more important than ever before. Flexible scheduling allows employees to adjust their work hours or days off to accommodate travel plans. This can be especially helpful during the busy Thanksgiving travel season when flight prices are typically higher and airports are more crowded.

Remote work also provides flexibility for those who may not want to risk traveling during the pandemic but still want to spend time with family. With advancements in technology, many companies have adapted to allow employees to work from home or another location while still completing their tasks efficiently.

Remote work and flexible scheduling have also probably contributed to even more travel than before as people who couldn't previously get the time off work to travel across the country now find they are able to. Hopping on a plane on Wednesday after work and having to come home on Sunday can be daunting. Now with working remote or flexibility with work schedules, you might not even have to miss work while traveling.

Alternatives to Traveling on Black Wednesday

Instead of traveling on Black Wednesday, consider other options to avoid the crowds and long lines. With the ongoing pandemic, it's more important than ever to stay safe during the holiday season.

One alternative is to plan a staycation instead of traveling out of town. Research local attractions or events that you can attend while still staying close to home. This will not only save you money but also reduce your risk of exposure to germs.

Another option is to host a virtual holiday celebration with family and friends. Technology has made it easier than ever to connect with loved ones who are far away. Platforms like Zoom or Skype allow you to video chat and even play games together in real-time. Consider planning a virtual potluck where each person cooks their favorite dish and shares the recipe online.

If you do decide to travel, there are ways to make it less stressful. First, try booking your flight for an early morning departure or late-night arrival when airports tend to be less crowded.

We personally prefer the early morning flight for two reasons:

1) Fewer crowds at the airport
2) Less likely to get a significant delay

That first flight out of the morning likely won't be affected by other delays earlier in the day as your plane has likely been sitting there overnight. Additionally, it was cleaned overnight as well so no delays there either. If we have a choice we always try to fly out first thing in the morning.

If you do fly out later in the day, it's wise to keep an eye on your flight status throughout the day. Flight delays and cancellations are common during this time, so stay informed in case there are any changes or updates. Many airlines have apps that allow you to track your flight status in real-time and they often will let you re-book directly in the app if there is a delay or cancellation.

Second, pack light so that you don't have to wait in long baggage check lines or worry about lost luggage. Airlines have gotten better with bag management but it is always a little stressful if you can't see your bag and have to wonder if it will be arriving with you.

Third, make sure you arrive at the airport early. This may seem like a no-brainer, but with the influx of travelers, security lines can get extra long. Give yourself plenty of time to get through security and find your gate without feeling rushed or stressed.

We have access to TSA Precheck and Clear, both of which we highly suggest getting even if you travel only a few times a year, and we always still try to arrive early to the airport. You never know if TSA Precheck will be slow or Clear isn't working or operating. Plus it only takes one small hold-up to back everything up, kind of like a traffic jam.

Finally, bring snacks and entertainment for the journey; this will help keep everyone occupied during any unexpected delays. If you have access to lounges you can also hop in a lounge while traveling but even that has gotten more difficult with more and more people flying and decreasing access to lounges to prevent overcrowding.

Other Busy Travel Days to Watch Out For

To avoid crowds and potential delays, be aware of other dates during the holiday season when airports are likely to be packed with travelers. While the day before Thanksgiving is often considered the busiest travel day of the year, several other days during the holiday season can also bring a surge of passengers to airports across the country.

December 23 is consistently one of the busiest travel days in December. The weekend before Christmas can be a hectic time for air travel as many people try to make it home for the holidays, according to data from Airlines Reporting Corporation.

The day after New Year's Eve (January 2) can also see a high volume of travelers returning home or beginning their new year with a vacation. Flight delays may occur due to winter weather conditions, so it's important to plan accordingly and have contingency plans in place.

While Thanksgiving Day itself may not be as busy as previously thought, the Friday after Thanksgiving sees a significant uptick in air travel as people return home from their holiday celebrations. This is another date to keep in mind.

When to Travel This Holiday Season

Sometimes you can't help but fly on a busy day but you can always use the tips above to help you feel better about your flight. Preparing ahead of time and knowing what you are getting yourself into is really half the battle when it comes to busy travel days.

If you can afford it with your time and money, we always suggest avoiding those super busy days, even by just 1-2 days. Instead of traveling the day before and after a holiday, cushion a few more days at the beginning and end of your trip.

Not only will your experience be better but you are more likely to get to your final destination at the scheduled time. You might even end up saving a bit of money as airlines will regularly charge more for those busy travel days than they do for the less busy days.