Thanksgiving weekend travelers to have fewer flight choices

Airlines in the U.S. will be operating nearly 3,000 fewer domestic daily flights during the Thanksgiving holiday season this year, meaning fewer choices for millions of American air travelers, along with fuller planes and higher fares.

In comparison with the Thanksgiving season last year, 11 percent fewer flights will operate, meaning a decrease of 2.6 million seats on non-stop domestic services during the period beginning on November 20 - the Thursday one week before Thanksgiving Day - and running through November 30, the Sunday following the holiday.

Hundreds of domestic routes are operating with 25 percent or fewer flights than during the last Thanksgiving season, according to an analysis by USA TODAY of the schedules airlines have filed with the Official Airline Guide (OAG).

Capacity reductions made by airlines that went into effect after Labor Day helped carriers cut costs, but for passengers the reductions have meant the elimination of many routes and flights, along with higher airfares.

The busy Thanksgiving holiday period will the first time many American air travelers experience the effect of the trimmed-down schedules. Fewer flights and fuller planes will mean that delays will be harder to recover from, increasing the number of missed connections and also the number of canceled flights.

The cuts on Thanksgiving Day are the most dramatic. US Airways will operate 40 percent fewer flights than it did on the same day last year, Delta is reducing its flights by 26 percent and United Airlines will be cutting back by 22 percent.

www.oag.com