US carriers cut a million seats for Thanksgiving

Airlines in North America remain cautious about capacity as we approach the holiday travel season. The results show that US carriers offer a million fewer seats than in 2019 (-5.2%). However, this is a sharp increase from last year (+15.3%), when airlines limped through the COVID-19 pandemic.

US airlines and airports are gearing up for the busiest weekend since 2019. Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped airlines from operating reduced schedules: many airlines are still experiencing a shortage of aircraft and staff.

The travel industry has spent 2022 in campaign mode, luring people to travel again and reminding us that it’s somewhat safe. Unfortunately, with the constant pressure on aircraft deliveries and staffing, airlines are in a difficult situation where compressed schedules and cancellations are still the norm.

Most carriers are operating at reduced capacity

Compared to October and November, American Airlines remains the most significant carrier, offering 18.3 million one-way seats. They were closely followed by Southwest with 17.5 million and Delta with 16.2 million. United has 13.1 million, with Alaskan Airlines next closest at 4.01 million. These may seem like big numbers. American Airlines’ capacity has fallen sharply by 5% compared to October of this year, with most airlines showing declines. JetBlue bucks that trend, offering 3.7 million one-way seats, up 1%.

Modelers predict that over the Thanksgiving weekend, 69% of American travelers will hit the road and 46% will fly. American Airlines CFO Derek Kerr commented on the airline’s plan of attack:

“We continue to believe that demand for air travel will be strong in 2023,”

We currently see no signs of demand slowing as the new year approaches. But … we will continue to evaluate the airline according to the resources we have, focusing on reliability and profitability.”

“As we approach 2023, the constraints our business faces today will remain. These constraints are slower than planned aircraft deliveries and the lower utilization of our fleet is largely due to regional pilot constraints.”

The busiest airports in the United States

Atlanta remains the nation’s busiest airport, serving 4.6 million seats during the month, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth at 3.5 million, slightly ahead of Denver at 3.4 million. Most of the airports expected in the top 10 remain unchanged. However, Miami was replaced by Seattle. Let’s take a look at the top ten by numbers below:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – 4.6 million
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 3.5 million
3. Denver International Airport (DEN) – 3.4 million
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 3.35 million
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 3.32 million
6. New York JFK Airport (JFK) – 2.9 million
7. Las Vegas Garry Reid International Airport (LAS) – 2.7 million
8. Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 2.6 million
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – 2.4 million
10. Miami International Airport (MIA) – 2.3 million

Adding Florida to the mix isn’t a surprise: November added more than 600,000 new locations compared to October. Even as airlines try to ramp up service, passengers patience will be needed as the industry continues to recover from several years of testing during the pandemic. Will 2023 look brighter for commuters?

Sources: OAG, The route is online

• 

  United Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  UA/UAL

  Airline type:

  A full-service carrier

  Hub(s):

  Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Guam International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport

  Year of foundation:

  1931 year

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  General Director:

  Scott Kirby

  country:

  United States

• 

  American Airlines

  IATA/ICAO code:

  AA/AAL

  Airline type:

  A full-service carrier

  Hub(s):

  Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

  Year of foundation:

  1926 year

  Alliance:

  one world

  General Director:

  Robert Isom

  country:

  United States

• 

  Delta Air Lines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  DL/DAL

  Airline type:

  A full-service carrier

  Hub(s):

  Boston Logan International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

  Year of foundation:

  1929 year

  Alliance:

  SkyTeam

  General Director:

  Ed Bastian

  country:

  United States

• 

  JetBlue

  IATA/ICAO code:

  B6/JBA

  Hub(s):

  Boston Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, New York JFK Airport, Orlando International Airport

  Year of foundation:

  2000 year

  General Director:

  Robin Hayes

  country:

  United States

• 

  Southwest Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  WN/SWA

  Airline type:

  Budget carrier

  Hub(s):

  Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport Dallas Love Field Denver International Airport Harry Reid International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Houston Hobby Airport Los Angeles International Airport Midway International Airport Oakland International Airport Orlando, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

  Year of foundation:

  1967 year

  General Director:

  Robert Jordan

  country:

  United States