Americans are gearing up for a bustling Thanksgiving travel season, with major domestic cities and sunny international locales topping the list of most popular destinations. According to Allianz Partners USA's 2024 Top 10 Thanksgiving Destination Index, New York City remains the most sought-after domestic spot, while Cancún, Mexico, leads international choices.
Allianz Partners reviewed over 750,000 travel itineraries for roundtrip flights departing U.S. airports from Saturday, Nov. 23, to Thursday, Nov. 28, and returning between Friday, Nov. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 3. The data reveals a continued preference for iconic U.S. cities and a growing interest in warm-weather escapes.
Making a notable climb, Dallas-Fort Worth has secured the third spot among domestic destinations, up from sixth place last year. Travelers are also flocking to Phoenix (#4) and Miami (#10), the latter making its first-ever appearance in the top 10 list. Other popular cities include Seattle (#2), Orlando (#5), Atlanta (#6), Los Angeles (#7), Boston (#8), and Chicago (#9).
On the international front, beach destinations dominate. Following Cancún, San José del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta hold the second and third spots, respectively. Nassau, Bahamas, has risen to fifth place, indicating a surge in Caribbean travel. European favorites London (#4) and Paris (#6) remain attractive for those seeking a transatlantic getaway. Punta Cana, Montego Bay, and Oranjestad, Aruba, round out the top international destinations.
"Holiday travel is back, and airports are gearing up for their busiest time of the year with Thanksgiving kicking it off," said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners. "Don't let the excitement of the season stop you from being prepared for potential travel disruptions."
Durazo emphasized the importance of travel protection: "A travel protection plan can reimburse pre-paid, non-refundable costs associated with a number of covered, unexpected events such as trip cancellations or interruptions, lengthy travel delays, lost baggage, and even medical emergencies."
For travelers planning trips during the Thanksgiving window, awareness of these trends can aid in preparing for crowded airports and popular destinations. Considering travel insurance and planning ahead can help ensure a smoother journey during this peak season.
Top 10 Domestic Thanksgiving Destinations for 2024:
- New York City
- Seattle
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Phoenix
- Orlando
- Atlanta
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- Chicago
- Miami
Top 10 International Thanksgiving Destinations for 2024:
- Cancún, Mexico
- San José del Cabo, Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- London, United Kingdom
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Paris, France
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Oranjestad, Aruba
- Mexico City, Mexico
Top 10 data provided by Allianz Travel Insurance; for more information on travel protection plans, visit Allianz Travel Insurance.
