Thanksgiving 2017: Travel Tips For JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Airport

HANOVER, MD — With Thanksgiving weekend continuing to be one of the year's busiest travel times, officials have some tips to make your trip in and out of New York City as seamless as possible. If you're flying this Thanksgiving season, you'll be among the than 1.5 million people expected to travel through the New York City area's major airports, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

About 733,200 passengers will use John F. Kennedy International Airport, some 562,400 will use Newark Liberty International Airport and about 368,000 will use LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority says. That means you should allow extra time to get to those airports before your flight.

The Port Authority and the MTA are offering free trips on the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, which shuttles passengers from the 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue subway station to LaGuardia's terminals. Those rides, which are free through Sunday, Nov. 26, will be especially useful since LaGuardia's hourly parking lot is closed for renovations.

Because of limited parking availability at all three airports, the Port Authority recommends using the AirTrain at JFK and Newark. You can connect to the JFK AirTrain at the Jamaica or Howard Beach subway stations. NJ Transit and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line can connect you to the Newark AirTrain. JFK AirTrain tickets cost $5, while Newark AirTrain tickets cost $5.50.

If you're able to get a parking spot, the Port Authority is offering discounts at LaGuardia and JFK airports. You can get a spot in LaGuardia's long-term for a discounted rate of $27 per day until Feb. 1. At JFK, you can get $4 off the regular daily rate of parking in long-term lot P9, or $10 off the daily rate for the Orange and Red Garages.

The Port Authority has some tips to make your airport experience smoother.

• Arrive as early as possible. Experts recommend getting to the airport two hours before a domestic flight or three hours before an international flight.
• Confirm flight details with your airline before traveling.
• Reserve parking in advance.
• Make sure you have appropriate identification and your boarding ready to go when you get to the security checkpoint.

Speaking of security, the Transportation Security Administration has some guidance on how to get through the checkpoint more easily.

• Prepare for new screening procedures – The TSA is implementing new screening procedures which require passengers to remove electronic devices larger than a cell phone from carry-on baggage. The TSA also recommends placing food items in bins for easier screening. Pack your carry-ons accordingly by putting items like electronics, toiletries and food in easily accessible places.
• Enroll in a trusted traveler program – Trusted traveler programs like TSA Pre✓® and CLEARprovide passengers an easy alternative to standard screening procedures and speed-up the security screening process. If traveling abroad, consider enrolling in Global Entry or using Mobile Passport to expedite Customs processing upon your return.
• Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule — Any liquids you take on the plane must be in 3.4-ounce containers in a single clear plastic bag. Only one bag per person is allowed.
• Take off your shoes — Remember to remove your shoes as required before going through the checkpoint. Shoes have to go through the x-ray machine.

These are the peak travel times with the longest waits, according to the TSA.

• Saturday, 6 to 8 am and 1 to 2 pm
• Sunday, 6 to 8 am and 4 to 7 pm
• Monday, 5 to 8 am and 3 to 6 pm
• Tuesday, 6 to 8 am and 3 to 5 pm
• Wednesday, 6 to 8 am and 4 to 5 pm
• Thursday, 5 to 8 am and 4 to 7 pm
• Friday, 5 to 8 am and 3 to 5 pm

If you need help during this busy travel time, the Port Authority will have customer service staff on the ground and in its welcome centers at all three airports..

(Lead image: Airplanes sit on a runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport in June. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)