PHOENIX -- The holiday travel season officially kicks off Wednesday, and airports are expecting more traffic than last year.

The good news is, according to AAA, Sky Harbor International Airport and others like it across the country will be more crowded than last year. That might seem surprising given the economic climate we're in, but travel isn't back where it used to be just yet.

It's that time of year again, the time when airports are more packed than ever as travelers head home for the holidays.

For Heather Stauffer's family, the visit is bittersweet. It's an annual tradition, with a less than affordable price tag. Stauffer's husband was laid off from his job.

Her family's situation is less than unique. With unemployment rates nationwide at record highs, would-be travelers are taking a second look in their wallets before forking over the big bucks to fly.

While AAA expects 38.4 million Americans to travel this year, a number that's up from last year, it's still down from before the economy took a downturn.

Last year's housing and financial crisis took holiday travel down 25 percent. This year's bounce back is small -- just 1.4 percent, but it's progress.

AAA predicts airports will see less traffic, only 8 percent of mountain state travelers, including Arizonans, will fly the friendly skies.

Stauffer's father, Dennis Mekelburg, said, "Well, it means a lot to us because we don't get to see her very often."

Mekelburg is happy his daughter flew across the country, despite financial difficulties. After all, he says, what better holiday to spend together than Thanksgiving.

"I think probably one of the best holidays is Thanksgiving, just because you get to reflect on what you have and how much it means," Mekelburg said.