WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- More and more travelers in the United States are opting to fly on Thanksgiving Day in order to secure cheaper fares and avoid over-crowded airports.
An analysis of air travel by Sabre Airline Solutions shows this year bookings for Thursday constitute two-thirds of the daily average for the 7-day period ending on Thanksgiving Day, USA Today reports.
The figure represents an increase of 3 percent over the same period last year.
Both United and Northwest airlines report a year-over-year increase in their bookings for Thanksgiving Day.
Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch attributes this year's hike to Northwest's holiday sale which offers Thanksgiving Day fares at their lowest level in about a year.
Terry McCabe, who heads national leisure sales for travel agency Altour, says with airlines ratcheting up fares over the past year, travelers are happy to take advantage of Thanksgiving Day discounts.
Sabre says the average fare for Thanksgiving Day is $141 this year or about $36 less than the average for travel on Wednesday.
