PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thanksgiving travel at Philadelphia International Airport this year pales in comparison to years past, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise here and around the country and health officials warn against going anywhere for the holiday.
There was less hustle on Wednesday, but this is still the busiest the airport has been since the pandemic began.
There was a small surge early at Terminals D and E as people got the first flights out of town, but it was night and day compared to years past. The long lines of weary travelers just inches away from each other, stretching from the parking garage to the TSA checkpoint — all a thing of the past.
This is no typical year, and masked travelers were able to walk right up to get screened as workers reminded them to stay 6 feet apart.
The CDC recommended against holiday travel, because COVID-19 case counts are reaching levels not seen at any point in the pandemic so far. Despite those warnings, airport spokeswoman Florence Brown said they're seeing their busiest stretch since the pandemic began.
"Year over year, the airport is down about 62%. However, for this week alone, we are actually only down 56%, so there is an increase this week," she said.
Airport officials expected 351,000 people to pass through from Saturday, Nov. 21, to the end of the holiday weekend on Sunday, Nov. 29.
She said airport officials prepared for the week by bringing in more TSA agents and cleaning crews this week. Workers are also actively promoting mask wearing and social distancing.
"The theme of what PHL is trying to promote this year is around personal responsibility,” Brown said. “The first kind of precaution we’re advising is to think about travel advisories, especially around quarantining and testing.”
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Traveler Daniel Cruz said he flew in from Colorado to see his family in Bellmawr, New Jersey. He said it will be the first he has seen of them in six months.
“I always use hand sanitizer, always wear my face mask. Just take as many precautions as I can,” Cruz said.
When asked if he felt safe on the plane, he said not really, but he had no other choice.
"It’s a little tough, but you’re always worried. You’re always thinking about who has the virus and stuff," he said.
Jana Tidwell, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic said their Thanksgiving survey showed 83% of Pennsylvanians would not be going anywhere this year. For those who decide to travel, 90% are choosing the highways over the airways.
“It’s cost-effective especially when gas prices are at levels where they are now,” Tidwell said. “And most people perceive automobile travel as the safest mode of transportation because you can control the environment within your car, keep it clean, control who’s in and out and control where you stop and for how long.”