WASHINGTON -- A leading auto organization is projecting a 1.4 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel this year, although fewer people will travel by air due to budget concerns, reduced airline capacity and added charges.
AAA said Wednesday it expects 38.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over this year's holiday weekend compared to 37.8 million last year. The number of automobile travelers is expected to be 33.2 million compared to 32.5 million last year -- an increase of 2.1 percent.
Air travel, however, is projected to decline 6.7 percent, or 2.3 million travelers this year compared to 2.5 million in 2008. AAA said the share of Thanksgiving travelers journeying by air has been declining for a decade.
"The economy continues to weigh heavily on leisure travel decisions even on this important family holiday," said Glen MacDonell, AAA's director of travel services.
While the number traveling by air should be down about 200,000 passengers, don't expect to be able to stretch out on your flight
"The planes are actually going to feel more packed than they have in the past and that's because capacity is down," said Jennifer Gaines with Travelocity.
Because of that, you will likely be paying more with higher fees for everything from food to checked baggage. The average air traveler will spend about $718 this Thanksgiving.
(NBC News reporter Kristen Dahlgren contributed.)
