Record 31.6 mln passengers expected to travel on U.S. airlines over Thanksgiving

A record 31.6 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines globally over the upcoming Thanksgiving Day travel period, representing a 3.7 percent hike from the previous year, according to Airlines for America.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Dec. 1, is poised to be the busiest travel day "in the history of the United States airline industry" with 3.1 million people traveling on that day, John Heimlich, Airlines for America vice president and chief economist, told local media on Tuesday.

"The popularity of air travel continues to soar this holiday season, as airlines and airports alike continue to invest billions of dollars into improving the quality of the experience and the efficiency of their operations," Heimlich said.

On the day before Thanksgiving, 2.98 million passengers are expected to travel and, on the day after Thanksgiving, 2.96 million passengers are expected, according to a report by The Hill.

However, Thanksgiving Day, the holiday itself, is expected to be one of the lightest travel days of the year, with only 1.79 million passengers, the top industry group for U.S. airlines predicted.