Labor Day weekend is upon us – the last big surge of what's already been a record-breaking summer of travel.
Americans traveled more than ever this summer. The top 10 busiest travel days in U.S. history have all occurred this year – just since May, in fact, with an average of 2.7 million travelers moving through U.S. airports each day since Memorial Day, according to the Transportation Security Administration. And this Labor Day weekend will be no different.
The TSA is preparing to screen more than 17 million travelers from Thursday, Aug. 29 through next Wednesday, Sept. 4. It's likely to be the busiest Labor Day of travel, period, on record.
The unprecedented summer travel season wasn't without disruptions. A global Crowdstrike software outage in mid-July wreaked havoc on airlines and other industries worldwide brought travel to a near standstill. It resulted in thousands of cancellations all over the world – and for Delta Air Lines, it was the catalyst of a nearly weeklong meltdown that resulted in more cancellations than the airline had in 2018 and 2019 combined.
But despite that incident, the U.S. Department of Transportation says airlines are canceling fewer flights than in previous years. The 2024 year-to-date cancellation rate remains below 2022 and pre-pandemic levels heading into Labor Day weekend.
Heading out of town for one final summer trip? Here's what to expected if you're traveling over Labor Day weekend.
Prepare for Crowds, Arrive Early
No matter where you're heading this Labor Day, there are some things you should prepare for before you take to the skies.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expected this Thursday and Friday to be the busiest days for air travel heading into Labor Day weekend. With remote work allowing more travelers to extend their trips, airlines like United are reporting higher demand on what previously used to be slower days of the week for travel.
No matter which day you're heading out or returning home for Labor Day weekend, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. It's better to have more time at your gate – or relaxing in an airport lounge – than risk missing your flight and ruining your trip.
Airport security checkpoints inevitably get backed up during busy travel periods – and having TSA PreCheck or CLEAR isn't always a guarantee for a speedy trip through security. To be safe, add at least 30 to 45 minutes to your typical airport routine. And if you have to fly on one of the busier travel days, arrive two hours or maybe even two and a half hours before your flight – maybe even more ahead of a big international flight.
Thrifty Tip #1: Make sure TSA PreCheck shows up on your boarding pass when you check in for your flight? See our guide to what to do if you don't see that green check mark.
Thrifty Tip #2: No PreCheck? No problem! Reserve your spot in the security line in advance at these eight U.S. airports!
Travel with Only a Carry-on Bag
Save yourself even more time at the airport by packing in just a carry-on bag. Queues to check or drop off luggage have been a major pain point lately, and Labor Day weekend is going to be no exception.
Especially during peak travel seasons like summer, opting not to check a bag means you won't have to wait in line to drop it off or wait for it at baggage claim and you won't have to worry about the airline losing your luggage. Plus, by packing in just a carry-on bag, you can easily check in for your flight online. Then, just pull up your boarding pass on your smartphone and head straight for the security line.
Not convinced you can fit it all in one suitcase? Follow our tips for how to pack a carry-on bag for any trip!
Consider Traveling During Shoulder Season
Don't have a trip planned over Labor Day weekend? Don't lament the end of the summer just yet.
We're getting into what we at Thrifty Traveler tout as our favorite time of the year to travel: Shoulder season. It's the period after Labor Day – from early to mid-September to November – where the weather is still pretty nice, but the crowds are smaller and airfare, hotels, and accommodations are often much, much cheaper. If you're looking to save, especially on an international trip, traveling during the shoulder season is your best bet.
Read next: Greece & Italy Under $500?! For Europe Flight Deals, Fall is Key
Bottom Line
The busiest summer travel season ever is about to go out with a bang. Labor Day weekend is typically one of the busiest for travel ever, and this year will likely be no exception.
If you're traveling this weekend, it pays to plan ahead.