Lifestyle
Americans Book Thanksgiving Travel Earlier This Year, With New York City The Top Domestic Destination
Thanksgiving is on the rise this year, with Americans booking trips earlier and flocking to top cities across the country to spend the holiday with loved ones, according to new data from global travel insurance and assistance provider Allianz Partners USA.
The company, which offers travel protection plans through U.S. airlines, travel agents, hotel companies, cruise lines, and directly to consumers, analyzed more than 700,000 itineraries for roundtrip flights departing U.S. airports between Nov. 22 and 27, and returning Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, to uncover the most popular destinations for 2025. They surveyed 1,277 Thanksgiving travelers and found 82% are staying within the U.S., and 18% are heading abroad.
Nearly two-thirds of travelers (63%) said theyll be visiting family and friends, while 27% plan to relax and 4% will celebrate the holiday elsewhere. Proximity to loved ones remains the top factor in choosing a destination (59%), followed by cost (17%) and weather (10%).
Most travelers are taking to the skies, with 74% reporting theyll fly this Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, 8% plan to rent a car, 6% will travel by train, and 2% will drive their own vehicles. Many are keeping spending modest: 35% expect to spend $1,000 or less on their trips, often because theyre staying with family or friends.
Nearly a third of travelers (31%) secured reservations four to six months ahead, and 41% booked one to three months ahead — a trend that reflects travelers growing focus on cost savings and availability.
“Americans are once again making Thanksgiving travel a priority, but they’re also becoming savvier about how they plan,” said Emily Hartman, General Manager at Allianz Partners USA. “More travelers are booking early, spending confidently, and protecting their trips with travel insurance to ensure they can focus on what matters most, time with loved ones, instead of worrying about potential disruptions.”
Among domestic destinations, New York City tops Allianz Partners annual Thanksgiving rankings for the fifth year in a row. Seattle and Phoenix follow close behind, with Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles rounding out the top five. Orlando, Boston, Miami, and Chicago also made the list, signaling continued interest in both coastal getaways and city celebrations.
Internationally, Mexico remains the clear favorite for Thanksgiving travelers, with Cancun, San Jose Del Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta maintaining the top three spots. London and Paris followed, as more Americans opted to spend the holiday abroad.
