Reagan National Airport (web | news) - The holiday travel season is almost here, but those flying may notice smaller crowds this year.

Airlines have scheduled fewer flights this year and are charging higher fares -- in addition to all the fees. Coupled with the economic downturn, that has led to a predicted 7-percent decline in Thanksgiving air travel, according to AAA.

At Reagan National Airport Thursday, Connie Stevens was returning home after a business trip. She says she would love to fly somewhere for the Thanksgiving holiday but will stay home instead.

"Money has been a little bit tight this year," Stevens said. "Then the costs of the flights and what airlines are charging in extra fees for your bags and everything."

AAA estimates 200,000 fewer people will travel by air this Thanksgiving compared with last year. Since 2000, air travel during the long holiday weekend has dropped 62 percent.

Travel agent Mary Peters says -- with the exception of the Thanksgiving following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- this is the worst travel season she's seen in two decades.

"We can contact our clients as many times as we want but if they don't have the money today, they're probably not going to have it tomorrow," Peters said. "They may have it in six or nine months -- that's what we're hoping for.

The Tamplens of Charlestown, West Virginia, found a cheap fare to visit their son at college this weekend. But traveling for Thanksgiving is out of the question.

"Much as we would like to see the grandparents, we can't afford it," said Jane Tamplen.

David, her husband, added it's a national problem.

"People are broke," he said. "You hear all the time people don't have job. How can you afford to travel when you're not sure if you can afford to keep the lights on?"

While the number of people flying this year is down, overall travel is predicted to rise, according to AAA. Thirty-eight million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more, up 1.4 percent from 2008. Thirty-three million will drive, a 2.1 percent increase over 2008, AAA predicted.

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