ZACKS·2025-11-25 17:25Core Insights - The U.S. airline industry is poised for a busy Thanksgiving travel period following the end of a 43-day government shutdown, which had significant impacts on air travel and operations [1][2]. Industry Overview - Airlines faced numerous challenges during the government shutdown, including staffing shortages and adverse weather, which led to flight cancellations and operational strain [2]. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to reduce flight capacity at 40 major U.S. airports during the shutdown, further complicating air travel [2]. Thanksgiving Travel Forecast - Airlines for America (A4A) projects that over 31 million passengers will travel through U.S. airlines during the Thanksgiving period from November 21 to December 1, marking an all-time high [5][10]. - This represents an average of 2.8 million passengers per day, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year [5]. - U.S. passenger carriers will add 45,000 more seats daily compared to the previous year to accommodate the increased demand [6]. Peak Travel Days - A4A anticipates that November 30 will be the busiest day, with an expected 3.39 million passengers, followed by December 1 and November 29 [7]. Airline Performance and Projections - United Airlines (UAL) expects to transport 6.6 million passengers between November 20 and December 2, with international bookings up 10% year-over-year [10][12]. - American Airlines (AAL) plans to operate 80,759 flights and handle 5.6 million checked bags during the holiday period [10][13]. - Delta Air Lines (DAL) has also prepared for the holiday travel surge, ensuring all services are operating smoothly [15]. Stock Monitoring - Given the positive outlook for the airline industry, investors are encouraged to monitor airline stocks, particularly those of United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, which have shown strong performance in the market [3][8].