This day is expected to be the busiest for flights ahead of Christmas

Nearly 50,000 flights forecasted, says the FAA

Arrivals board at Orlando International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced what it expects to be the busiest day for flights leading up to Christmas Day this year.

In a release, the FAA said that Thursday, Dec. 21 has the most forecasted flights at nearly 50,000.

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That number drops to just over 23,000 on Christmas Day, but expected flights will surge immediately afterwards, the release shows.

The FAA also explained that weather has driven the majority of flight delays this year, though cancelations have been lower than in previous years so far.

“As we approach one of the busiest travel times of the year, expect to see more crowded airports in the coming weeks,” the release reads. “You might not be a pilot or an air traffic controller, but you can take steps to make your trip as smooth as possible.”

Here are some tips the FAA suggests to help make the process easier:

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