PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Now that the busiest Thanksgiving travel season in years has arrived, up to 80 million people are expected to be on the move this week.
The Portland International Airport is estimated to have 350,000 people pass through its doors through the rest of the week. Wednesday is expected to be the busiest day before the holiday, and Sunday will likely be the craziest afterward.
More than 50,000 passengers are flying out as of Tuesday, and tens of thousands are expected to arrive as well.
Travelers told KOIN 6 News their best advice is to plan on getting to the airport roughly two hours before boarding time for those set to depart. So far, they have not seen many delays — though that could change with some weather moving into the East Coast in the next couple of days.
Families traveling with children suggest parents prepare to keep the kids busy on the flight, and fellow passengers like Ryan Moss might help out with entertainment as well.
"I was told that I needed to wear a comfortable outfit, for the plane ride, and this is what I chose," Moss said while wearing a full-size turkey onesie.
Mother-of-three Izzy Yasana Hawley said she prepped a bag of activities inside her backpack, and her other family members had coloring book supplies along with healthy snacks just to keep her children entertained.
As for parking at the airport, travelers are urged to take a look online at FlyPDX to see how full the airport lots are. At the time of this story’s publication, the parking lots are about 70% full.
