HOUSTON – Traditionally one of the busiest and most chaotic travel days of the year, Thanksgiving Eve surprised millions of travelers Wednesday with unusually smooth experiences at airports nationwide.
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, passengers reported minimal wait times and an overall sense of calm. For reporter Gage Goulding, who embarked on a round-trip flight to San Antonio to document the holiday rush, the journey was remarkably uneventful.
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“Our day starts just like any other travelers. Our bags are packed, and we check in for our flight before heading to that infamously long Thanksgiving TSA security line,” Goulding said. The security process took less than 10 minutes, a stark contrast to the delays many have come to expect this time of year.
Samuel Alcantar, a traveler in San Antonio, described the day as “really smooth sailing.” Other passengers echoed this sentiment, including Lauren Callaghan from Houston, who recalled spending nearly an hour last year just getting to her gate. “So today it looks pretty good right now,” she said, noting the difference.
Even the typically bustling terminals lacked their usual frenetic energy. Lines for coffee were short, and no one appeared to be sprinting to catch a flight. Flights were not just on schedule—they were often early. Goulding’s United Airlines flight to San Antonio arrived 10 minutes ahead of schedule, completing the journey in just 45 minutes.
In San Antonio, travelers found a similarly calm atmosphere. “Seamless, streamlined, and surprisingly quite nice,” said Natalie Ehret, who even managed to navigate TSA with a pet in tow. Security officers shared that earlier in the week had been busier, as many travelers opted to fly out days in advance.
The return flight to Houston continued the streak of ease, landing 17 minutes early. Travelers arrived home with plenty of time to prepare for Thanksgiving festivities.
With roughly three million people taking to the skies Wednesday, the unexpected calm was a welcome surprise. “Of all the outcomes, I wasn’t expecting not a single hiccup—and even getting back early,” Goulding said.
For travelers across the country, this year’s Thanksgiving Eve will be remembered not for its chaos but for its uncharacteristic tranquility.
Noon update:
11:05 a.m. update:
The teams says they landed more than 10 minutes ahead of schedule and their next flight is slated to land in Houston a few minutes early as well.
9:30 a.m. update:
8:30 a.m. update:
7:30 a.m. update:
6:30 a.m. update:
5:20 a.m.: Security line at Bush Intercontinental
