More Than 6.3M Travelers Expected Thanksgiving Weekend

On Nov 23, 2022

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced today that more than 6.3 million air passengers and vehicles are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings from Wednesday to Monday, Nov. 23 to 28.

The agency estimates that approximately 4.1 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over the 6-day period, which would be similar to vehicular volume over the same pre-pandemic holiday period in 2019 in keeping with recent traffic trends. To accommodate anticipated significant vehicular volume, all lane closures for non-emergency construction at its crossings are suspended through 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

More than 2.2 million air passengers are expected to use the agency’s airports during the same 6-day period, the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic and just slightly more than Thanksgiving 2019 when 2.2 million air travelers used Port Authority’s airports. Passenger volume at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports specifically are expected to eclipse 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with a strong likelihood for longer wait times due to higher passenger volume, ongoing construction and possible staffing shortages at security checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The Port Authority strongly encourages all travelers to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time. All passengers on domestic flights should arrive to the airport at least two hours in advance of their departure time and passengers on international flights should arrive at the airports at least three hours in advance of their departure times. Travelers are strongly advised to check the Port Authority’s air travel tips for information on preparing for their trips, including how to find real-time wait time information for TSA security lines, information on parking lot availability, AirTrain maps and schedules, directions for public transit or for-hire vehicle information. The Port Authority encourages anyone going to the airports to make parking reservations ahead of time or plan to take public transit.

Airports & AirTrain:

• AirTrain JFK station Terminal 1&2 has reopened for regular service following temporary closures due to New Terminal One construction. For AirTrain JFK service to terminals 1 and 2, customers should use the combined AirTrain JFK station Terminal 1&2 (formerly Terminal 1 station).
• John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Green Garage is closed due to New Terminal One construction. Parking for terminals 1 and 2 is available at the Red Garage at Terminal 8.
• At all hours, free shuttle buses operate between all LaGuardia Airport terminals for passengers and employees making terminal connections.
• Passengers are encouraged to use the free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service to and from the airport.
  To help ease congestion at Newark Liberty International Airport, the Central Terminal Area (CTA) short-term parking is cashless. The change provides more payment options, including contactless payment and designated E-Z Pass lanes on entry and exit. Click here for parking availability and advanced parking reservations.
• Due to limited parking space during peak travel season, travelers are encouraged to prebook parking at the three major airports. Click here for airport parking information.

Bridges & Tunnels:

• Through 5 a.m. Monday, November 28, non-emergency lane closures are suspended at all Port Authority crossings, including overnight closures related to the Superstorm Sandy repair and resiliency project at the Holland Tunnel.

Midtown Bus Terminal & George Washington Bus Station:

• Customers should check for the most updated trip departure times and itineraries with their individual bus carriers, some of which may be operating on holiday schedules.

PATH:

• From Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Monday, Nov. 28, the 9 and 23 St stations will be open overnight.
• On Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, trains will operate every 15 minutes on the Journal Square to 33 St line via Hoboken between 7:10 a.m. and 10 a.m., and every 12 minutes between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Newark to World Trade Center line will operate every 20 minutes between 7:20 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• On Friday, Nov. 25, trains will operate on a modified schedule as follows:
  • Newark to WTC: Every 10 minutes until 9:26 p.m., then every 15 minutes until 11:11 p.m.
  • Hoboken to 33 St: Every 10 minutes until 9:22 p.m., then every 15 minutes until 11:07 p.m.
  • Journal Square to 33 St: Every 10 minutes until 9:09 p.m., then every 15 minutes until 11:09 p.m.
  • WTC to Hoboken: Every 10 minutes until 9:28 p.m., then every 15 minutes until 10:41 p.m.
• On Saturday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 27, trains will operate on their regular weekend schedules.

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