MIAMI – Clear skies and a bustling atmosphere greet Thanksgiving travelers heading out of South Florida, where airports are preparing for a surge of passengers this holiday season.
“I love it… laughter… I love it,” said Victor Grecu, who is heading to Arizona from Miami International Airport for the holiday.
MIA passenger Naomi Ufberg, flying to New York, noted, “That’s the fun of it all… at the end of the day… family — it’s important to be together.”
For Edwin Birotte, who is heading to Los Angeles, it’s a yearly tradition. “Thanksgiving, we go out there — we bring out some food, that’s in here,” Birotte said. “Griot… rice and beans… some pikliz.”
Despite the large crowds, Birotte remained optimistic. “Seems to be smooth and quiet… so, I’m going to get into the TSA line, see how that is, and get on out,” he said.
More than 150,000 passengers are expected to pass through MIA on Wednesday, slightly more than last year. TSA expects to screen over 18 million travelers through Monday, according to airport officials.
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Tila Levi, traveling to Puerto Rico, opted to arrive early. “We figured we’d get here early… there wouldn’t be too much traffic… I was right,” she said.
Victor Grecu echoed a similar sentiment, adding, “Usually, we come, like, one hour before — like, one and a half hours… but today we come, like, two and half hours earlier… we don’t want to miss it.”
For those flying out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the holiday rush may come with a few challenges. Last year, MIA topped the list of airports with the longest security lines, averaging a 54-minute peak wait. FLL wasn’t far behind, leading the pack with the highest percentage of delayed flights.
“We’re hoping for the best,” Ufberg said, as she prepared for her flight to New York.
Birotte, who recommends TSA PreCheck for smoother travel, said, “Got the pre-check — always recommend that… that’s always good.”
For many, the holiday is about more than just travel. Levi emphasized the importance of gratitude.
“I like to teach my kids to be grateful… and that’s why I think Thanksgiving is a great holiday to show that — and to be able to go away and have a nice meal, and talk about what we’re grateful for in this crazy world,” Levi said.
As the holiday approaches, travelers like Birotte are hopeful. “I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving,” he said.
Adding to potential challenges, weather in other parts of the country could disrupt travel schedules as storms are expected to move through key regions. Combined with air traffic controller shortages in the Northeast and the sheer volume of passengers, delays are likely.
Travelers are advised to arrive early, exercise patience, and consider TSA Precheck to expedite their security process. Despite the challenges, officials at both airports urge travelers to stay in the holiday spirit.