A remarkable new flight animation has captured just how crowded America’s skies became as millions of travelers set out for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Flightradar24 visualization, recorded on November 24, 2025, shows yellow aircraft icons rapidly filling the U.S. map—from a calm, lightly populated morning to an evening sky jam-packed with flights stretching coast to coast.

What begins as scattered dots quickly explodes into a dense cluster of nonstop motion, highlighting the immense pressure on the nation’s air traffic system during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. Every major hub—Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Denver, and others—appears overwhelmed with takeoffs and landings, forming a glowing web of intersecting flight paths.

FAA forecasts confirmed that this year’s Thanksgiving travel period is the busiest the U.S. has seen in 15 years, with more than 360,000 flights scheduled and an estimated 81.8 million total travelers. That figure represents a jump of about 1.6 million passengers compared to 2024, driven by continued economic recovery, increased consumer confidence, and more competitive airfare pricing.

Airlines reported high load factors across domestic and international routes, while major airports implemented expanded staffing, enhanced traffic-flow management, and adjusted runway operations to accommodate the surge. Despite the extraordinary volume, most U.S. airports saw manageable delays thanks to clear weather across key corridors.

The animation serves as a striking reminder of the scale and complexity of America’s aviation network—and how millions rely on it to reunite with family and friends for one of the nation’s most treasured holidays. In a year marked by recovering mobility and improving travel affordability, Thanksgiving 2025 has become a milestone moment for the rebounding U.S. air travel industry.