Thanksgiving 2021 Travel Advisory

Reminder: Face Coverings Required in All Port Authority Facilities, Including Airports, Midtown Bus Terminal and on AirTrain

On Nov 23, 2021

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that nearly 5 million air passengers and vehicles are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings from Wednesday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 28.

The agency estimates that approximately 3.5 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over the 5-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, November 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

More than 1.4 million air passengers are expected to use the agency’s airports during the 5-day period, the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic and nearly 85 percent of passenger volume seen during the same 5-day period in 2019 when 1.7 million air travelers used Port Authority’s airports during the holiday before the pandemic. 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, for-hire vehicle information, and COVID-19 testing. Travelers should note that that some airport parking lots may be already full, and the Port Authority encourages anyone going to the airports to make parking reservations ahead of time or plan to take public transit.

Airports & AirTrain:

• From 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 28, the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will provide free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service to encourage the use of mass transit to and from the airport.
• At all hours, free shuttle buses operate between all LaGuardia Airport terminals for passengers and employees making terminal connections.
• To help ease congestion at Newark Liberty International Airport, the Central Terminal Area (CTA) Parking (Short-Term Parking) is now 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 ongoing construction at Newark Liberty International Airport for a new state-of-the-art Terminal A, all airline passengers departing from Terminal A are urged to arrive no later than two hours prior to scheduled departure times.

Bridges & Tunnels:

• Through 5 a.m. Monday, November 29, non-emergency construction work is 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 holiday service or reduced schedules.

PATH:

• PATH service will operate on a modified schedule on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, and on regular Saturday and Sunday schedules over the weekend. On Thursday, November 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., trains will operate on a modified Saturday schedule with additional JSQ-33 via HOB service. On Friday, November 26, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with all four lines operating on 10-minute schedules during daytime and early evening hours. For additional information on PATH service and train schedules, visit www.panynj.gov/StayOnTrack or download the PATH mobile app, RidePath.
• The southwest entrance to the PATH Harrison station remains closed at all hours to accommodate demolition work ahead of a renovation of the station. During construction, riders are required to use traffic signal pedestrian crossings at Angelo Cifelli Drive and Guyon Drive to access a corresponding station house on the opposite side of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard.
• Customers who use the WTC PATH station during overnights should use the street level entrances at Fulton Street or Vesey Street via the North Concourse in the 2 World Trade Center Transit Lobby. Oculus access is limited overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for enhanced cleaning and the safety and security of customers due to reduced traffic volumes. All other entrances will be closed. For more updates on the WTC campus, click here.
• From 5 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, the 9 Street and 23 Street stations will remain open at all hours.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

• As a reminder for any passengers or motorists traveling through Port Authority facilities, some restrictions and service changes remain in place to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. Face coverings continue to be required for anyone using Port Authority facilities, including PATH trains and indoor PATH stations; the World Trade Center transportation hub; the Midtown Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station; the Port Authority’s airports and on both AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark.
• In accordance with updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, masks are not required while waiting for trains on outdoor platforms at the following PATH stations only: Newark Penn, Harrison and Journal Square. Masks must continue to be worn at all other stations and while on PATH trains.
• Domestic travelers entering New York or New Jersey should follow CDC guidance here.
• International air travelers entering the United States through New York or New Jersey should follow CDC guidance here.

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