The question before us is not whether airport advertising works—the evidence speaks thunderously in its favor. The question is whether your brand will seize this unprecedented Thanksgiving opportunity or watch as competitors capture the attention of millions.
The Staggering Scale of Thanksgiving Travel
The Transportation Security Administration projected screening 18.3 million people from November 26 to December 2, 2024, representing a 6% volume increase from 2023. But the reality exceeded even these ambitious projections. On December 1, 2024, TSA handled 3.09 million travelers—breaking the previous record by approximately 74,000.
This wasn’t an anomaly. TSA Administrator David Pekoske confirmed that the ten busiest travel days in TSA’s history have all occurred in 2024, establishing an unmistakable trend: air travel has not only recovered from the pandemic—it has reached stratospheric new heights.
For brands looking to make an impact, consider this: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handled 108.07 million passengers in 2024, a 3.3% increase from 2023 and the second-highest total on record. Georgia’s premier airport alone provides exposure to over nine million travelers monthly, with peak months reaching nearly ten million.
The Science Behind Airport Advertising Effectiveness
The numbers tell an irrefutable story. 83% of frequent flyers notice airport advertising, with three out of four associating airport advertising with high-quality brands. More compelling still, 56% of business frequent flyers recalled ads after seeing them in the airport, and nearly half took action after noticing an ad.
What actions did they take? 47% visited a brand’s website, 36% downloaded an app, and 26% shared information with a colleague. These aren’t passive impressions—they’re measurable conversions.
Independent research from JCDecaux reveals something even more powerful about perception. Airport advertising scored 111 for perceived value compared to TV at 101, print at 100, mobile at 95, and websites at 94. For prestige, airport environments scored 113 compared to TV at 99, print at 98, mobile at 99, and websites at 99.
Your brand isn’t just seen in airports—it’s elevated.
Why Thanksgiving Week Represents Peak Opportunity
The psychology behind Thanksgiving travel creates unique advantages for advertisers. Remote work has caused the Thanksgiving travel period to expand, with people leaving the weekend before Thanksgiving and working remotely from their destination a couple of days before the holiday. This extended timeline means prolonged exposure periods.
The traveler demographic during Thanksgiving represents premium buying power. Airport passengers typically earn incomes up to 50% higher than the general population, and they’re in a distinctive psychological state. Research shows that decision-makers in airport environments demonstrate significantly higher receptivity to impulse purchases compared to traditional retail settings.
With average dwell times of an hour plus, airports offer unique opportunities to connect consumers with brands, and 79% of frequent flyers would like to try new products at the airport. Your message isn’t competing with the noise of daily life—it has a captive, affluent audience actively seeking engagement.
Strategic Positioning for Maximum Impact
Success in airport advertising demands precision. June was the busiest month in 2024 with 9.92 million travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson, closely followed by May with 9.89 million, but Thanksgiving represents concentrated volume—TSA projected screening more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday, November 26, 2.9 million for Wednesday, November 27, and more than 3 million people on Sunday, December 1.
This compression of millions of travelers into specific days creates unmatched visibility. Your graphics aren’t simply viewed—they become part of the travel experience itself.
Measuring Return on Investment
The question of ROI no longer centers on whether airport graphics deliver results, but rather how dramatically they outperform alternative channels. Digital display analytics provide real-time data on impressions, engagement rates, and conversions. Brand awareness surveys consistently demonstrate recall rates near 77% for airport advertisements—an exceptional achievement in outdoor advertising.
Cost-per-impression analyses reveal airport advertising’s efficiency in reaching target audiences. When you factor in the premium demographics, extended exposure times, and association with prestige brands, the true value proposition becomes undeniable.
Georgia’s Premier Airport Graphics Partner
At Luxe Impressions, we understand that exceptional airport graphics in Georgia require more than printing—they demand strategic vision, flawless execution, and deep understanding of the airport environment.
Our comprehensive services encompass every aspect of airport graphic production: from high-impact digital displays to traditional billboards, from experiential activations to baggage claim installations. We’ve mastered the unique technical requirements of airport installations, ensuring your graphics maintain their visual impact throughout high-traffic periods.
View our portfolio of projects to see how we’ve helped brands achieve measurable results in Georgia’s busiest airports. Our work speaks to precision, creativity, and unwavering commitment to quality.
The Imperative of Action
We stand at a pivotal moment. Air travel continues its upward trajectory, with Hartsfield-Jackson preparing for 125 million annual passengers within the next five years. Thanksgiving 2025 promises even greater volume as travel demand accelerates.
The brands that will dominate tomorrow’s market are those that recognize today’s opportunity. Airport graphics during Thanksgiving week don’t simply advertise—they position your brand alongside success, prestige, and forward momentum.
The question returns to you: Will your brand be visible when millions pass through Georgia’s airports, or will that premium exposure belong to your competitors?
Contact Luxe Impressions today to discuss your Thanksgiving airport graphics strategy. The passengers are coming. The opportunity is here. The only variable is your decision to act.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does airport advertising cost?
Airport advertising costs vary significantly based on factors including airport size, location within the airport, ad format, duration, and customization level. At major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, digital screen networks range from $35,000 to $115,000 for a four-week campaign, while digital spectaculars typically range from $25,000 to $95,000 for four weeks.
Large format banners typically range from $25,000 to $50,000 for four weeks, with additional production, installation, and removal costs ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Smaller airports offer more cost-effective entry points, with options starting at lower price points while still delivering substantial visibility.
The investment reflects the premium audience you’re reaching and the unparalleled exposure your brand receives.
What is the lead time for booking airport advertising?
Lead times vary depending on the airport and specific requirements. For high-traffic periods like Thanksgiving Week, we recommend booking at minimum 6-8 weeks in advance to secure prime locations. Major airports often have competitive demand for advertising space, particularly during peak travel seasons.
At Luxe Impressions, we work closely with airport authorities and can often accommodate tighter timelines based on availability. Contact us to discuss your specific timeline and requirements.
What advertising formats are available at airports?
Airports offer a variety of advertising formats including digital displays, billboards, experiential installations, baggage claim ads, airport lounges, and sponsorship opportunities. Each format serves distinct strategic purposes:
Digital displays provide dynamic content capabilities with the flexibility to update messaging in real-time. Backlit dioramas offer illuminated static displays that capture attention throughout the terminal. Large format banners create commanding presence across concourse walls and high-traffic areas. Digital spectaculars deliver immersive video experiences that transform airport spaces into branded environments. Shuttle and transit advertising reaches passengers during extended dwell times between terminals.
View our comprehensive range of services to explore which formats align best with your campaign objectives.
Can airport advertising be targeted to specific demographics?
Airport advertising can be targeted to specific demographics or locations within the airport, with digital signage allowing real-time content updates and targeted messaging based on factors such as flight destinations, time of day, and passenger demographics.
Strategic placement maximizes impact. Departure gates reach business travelers before flights. International terminals connect with global audiences. Baggage claim areas capture arriving passengers primed for local experiences. Security checkpoint areas guarantee visibility during mandatory wait times.
Georgia’s airports serve diverse passenger profiles, from international business executives to domestic leisure travelers. We help you identify the optimal locations and formats to reach your precise target audience.
Are there content restrictions for airport advertising?
Airports typically have guidelines and restrictions in place to ensure compliance with advertising standards, safety regulations, and ethical considerations, which may include restrictions on certain industries, size limitations, content approvals, and other specific requirements.
Common restrictions include limitations on alcohol and tobacco advertising, content that could be considered offensive or inappropriate for family environments, and materials that might interfere with wayfinding or safety messaging. Political advertising may face additional scrutiny.
Our team at Luxe Impressions maintains expertise in airport advertising compliance and works proactively to ensure your creative meets all regulatory requirements while maximizing visual impact.
Why is airport advertising more effective than other outdoor advertising?
Research conducted by Nielsen shows that 80% of frequent flyers notice airport advertising, and 42% of travelers feel airport ads are informative and influential in their decision-making process. This exceptional engagement stems from unique environmental factors.
Airport travelers are a captive audience who often arrive several hours before departure, creating longer dwell times that allow for more complex storytelling than other out-of-home advertising forms. The psychological state of travelers—relaxed, anticipatory, and often in discretionary spending mode—creates heightened receptivity to brand messaging.
Airport environments also confer prestige associations that elevate brand perception beyond what traditional billboards or transit advertising can achieve.
How do I measure the ROI of my airport advertising campaign?
Modern airport advertising delivers measurable results through multiple metrics. Digital displays provide impression counts based on passenger traffic data. Brand lift studies measure awareness increases before and after campaigns. QR codes and unique URLs enable direct response tracking. Social media monitoring captures engagement and sharing behavior.
Airport audiences have longer time to engage with and respond to advertising messages, meaning that messaging can include QR codes or provide more complex calls-to-action than other out-of-home advertising forms.
We work with clients to establish clear KPIs and provide comprehensive reporting throughout campaigns. Our portfoliodemonstrates the tangible results we’ve delivered for brands across Georgia’s airports.
What makes Thanksgiving Week particularly valuable for airport advertising?
Thanksgiving Week represents the single largest concentration of air travelers in the calendar year. The TSA’s record-breaking passenger counts during this period create unmatched exposure opportunities. Additionally, the extended nature of Thanksgiving travel—with many passengers departing days early and returning days late—extends the effective reach of your campaign.
The demographic composition during Thanksgiving also skews toward affluent travelers visiting family, a valuable audience for consumer brands, luxury goods, and services targeting high-income households.
How quickly can Luxe Impressions produce and install airport graphics?
While standard timelines range from 4-8 weeks from concept to installation, we maintain rapid-response capabilities for time-sensitive opportunities. Our in-house production facilities and established relationships with Georgia’s airports enable expedited turnarounds when circumstances demand.
Production timelines depend on graphic complexity, size, format, and installation requirements. Simple backlit displays can be produced and installed within 2-3 weeks. Large format digital spectaculars require more extensive coordination but we’ve successfully executed complex installations on compressed timelines.
Contact our team to discuss your specific timeline and explore what’s possible for your campaign.
About Luxe Impressions
Luxe Impressions specializes in high-impact visual communications for Georgia’s most demanding environments. Our expertise in airport graphics, combined with state-of-the-art production capabilities, ensures your brand makes an unforgettable impression when it matters most.