10 Worst Airports for Thanksgiving Flights, Ranked

Many New Yorkers know to avoid JFK under everyday circumstances. It's even more crowded during the Thanksgiving travel period.

Go Instead: MacArthur Airport in Islip, NY (ISP) is located 50 miles from Manhattan on Long Island, but it's worth the trip—especially when it comes to avoiding JFK. Airlines that fly through MacArthur include Southwest, American, and Elite Airways.

Located in New Jersey, Newark is often a popular alternative for New Yorkers, but it will be even busier than LaGuardia and JFK during the Thanksgiving travel period.

Go Instead: Consider flying through Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) in Ewing, NJ. This joint military and public airport is located 52 miles from Newark and is much more low-key—perfect for avoiding the holiday rush.

With many people on their way out of Northern California's biggest airport and many coming home, it's no surprise that SFO will be incredibly crowded at Thanksgiving.

Go Instead: Oakland (OAK), located just 20 miles from San Francisco, might be more well-known these days than in past years, but it's sure to be less crowded.

Houston travelers might have to travel out of the way for these alternative airports, but considering IAH's Thanksgiving crowds, it's probably worth it.

Go Instead: If you want to stay close to the city, search Southwest for flights out of the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), located only 11 miles from downtown Houston. For more airline options without the IAH crowds, Thanksgiving travelers can look at the less busy airports of Austin (AUS) or San Antonio (SAT).

Charlotte's Airport is a perennial offender on the list of busiest airports at Thanksgiving, and it's only getting busier.

Go Instead: If you can make the trip, Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina is a less-crowded alternative that can get you home on American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United.

With service to more than 200 destinations, Dallas is one of the busiest airports in the world, even when it's not Thanksgiving. Over the holidays, it can be a travel nightmare.

Go Instead: Just 17 miles from DFW, Dallas Love Field (DAL) is a close alternative that offers service from Delta, Southwest, and Virgin America.

Denver is considered one of the best airports in North America, but that also means it's very popular—especially for Thanksgiving flights.

Go Instead: Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is 80 miles from Denver, but with a 79 percent on-time departure rate, you're more likely to get home on time. And it's served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, United, and other major carriers, making it a great alternate airport for Thanksgiving travel.

You need to arrive at LAX earlier than the national average in order to make an everyday flight. Over the holidays—and factoring in Los Angeles traffic—you'll need to arrive even earlier than that. Avoid the stress and book your Thanksgiving flight elsewhere.

Go Instead: Choose from nearby Long Beach (LGB) or Burbank (BUR) to beat the crowds and get home a little quicker. With plenty of domestic airline options including Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United, there are many ways to get home without having to go through LAX.

Alternate airports near Atlanta are few and far between, but a long commute to another airport may be worth the hassle. Atlanta has Thanksgiving's second-busiest airport.

Go Instead: Some of the airports closest to ATL that are sure to be considerably less crowded include Chattanooga (CHA), 123 miles away; Birmingham (BHM), 147 miles away; and Montgomery (MGM), 161 miles away.

Coming in at number one on the list of worst airports this Thanksgiving is Chicago O'Hare—one of the country's busiest and most notorious airports any time of year.

Go Instead: In Chicago you have a lot of options, including Rockford Airport, which is73 miles away and offers travel to select destinations via Allegiant Air. However, Chicago Midway (MDW) is only 21 miles away and offers many more flights and destinations through Southwest.