HEBRON, Ky. — Millions of Americans are traveling home this weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday. CVG Airport officials expected Sunday to be the busiest travel day for the airport throughout the holiday travel period.

“I guess everybody’s going home the same day this time, so it makes sense, but sometimes don’t have the patience to wait through all this,” said Charles King, who was stuck in a long line to check in for his flight before sunrise.

The airport saw big crowds early Sunday morning around 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. By 8 a.m., most had cleared out of departures.

“It’s been smooth and very easy,” said Mark Schaffner, who was checking in around that time.

Arrivals are expected to busiest in the afternoon starting at 3 p.m. through 11 p.m..

“11 p.m. is our busiest hour for arrivals,” said CVG spokesperson Mindy Kershner.

She offered advice for residents picking up loved ones.

“You might want to come out early, figure out your meeting spot. You know, we always encourage people to only pull up to the ramp when their traveler’s actually arrived, so they're not sitting there and waiting, causing you know, lines,” she said.

HEBRON, Ky. — Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport was close to pre-pandemic levels Wednesday as people packed their bags and visited their loved ones this Thanksgiving.

Chandra McDonald and her family flew into the Tri-State from Katy, Texas to spend the holiday with their extended family.

“We're excited,” McDonald said. “ It's gonna be great to spend time with family — last Thanksgiving was a little sad."

McDonald said the trip is her family's first in a long time thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we didn't really travel much anywhere,” McDonald said. “So this year, this is kind of the first time that we've gone for the holidays.”

Her family is not the only one getting back into the swing of things. Emily Gabelman flew in from Chicago, saying this year has been totally different.

“I did come here last year, but we were all so anxious about it,” Gabelman said. “You know, we quarantined beforehand and everything, but there was a lot of back and forth. We questioned if we should cancel it or do it over Zoom. This year, all of us are vaccinated — most of us, I think, actually had our booster as well. So this year is more relaxed for sure.”

AAA predicts 53.4 million people are traveling for the holiday, up 13% from 2020 but about 3% less than 2019. It’s a special time that’s bringing reunions and a sense of normalcy for some families.

“Seeing everyone being all together. It's gonna be awesome,” McDonald said.

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