The Slice

Safe travels start above the clouds. The Slice is your weekly roundup of aviation news and updates for the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Forecast

We expect this Thanksgiving holiday travel period to be the busiest in 15 years, with Tuesday, Nov. 25 being the peak travel day with more than 52,000 flights.  

What's driving delays?

The FAA's priority is safety, meaning that, sometimes, delays are necessary. The interactive chart below shows data on the top five causes of delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). 

Weather is the leading cause of delays and cancelations, but the FAA’s Command Center works closely with airlines to plan for, and around, expected weather nationwide. Learn more about how the FAA navigates around bad weather and works with pilots to help keep flights safe during turbulence. 

Are cancelations getting better or worse?

Flight cancelations are trending lower than in previous years, but a canceled flight still has the potential to throw off your travel plans. The Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides data on delays and cancelations across the country.

DOT has launched an interactive Customer Service Dashboard to provide travelers with up-to-date airline customer service policies on controllable cancelations and delays to ensure customers can easily access information when problems arise.

How You Can Plan Ahead

As more travelers take to the skies, the FAA has your back to improve your passenger experience. You might not be a pilot or an air traffic controller, but you can take steps to make your trip as smooth as possible. Knowing what to expect during busier-than-usual travel times can save time and stress. 

From tracking the status of your airport to showing you how to pack safely, the FAA has a host of resources to help travelers plan ahead. Remember, the FAA has a zero-tolerance policy against unruly airline passengers in the wake of recent, troubling incidents.