Travel Tips
U.S. Airlines Gear Up for Labor Day Travel
August 27, 2024
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting a record-breaking Labor Day holiday weekend – capping off the end to a record-shattering summer travel season.
TSA said it’s preparing to screen more than 17 million people over the Labor Day holiday period, with the peak travel day predicted to be Friday, August 30.
Airlines are gearing up as well, showing 3.3% more seats departing from U.S. airports over the holiday weekend compared to last year.
Consumers can also take advantage of historically low airfares – government data shows inflation-adjusted airfares for 2024 are averaging 9% lower than the same time during 2023.
“The record travel we have seen this summer would not be possible without the men and women in the U.S. airline industry,” said Rebecca Spicer, Airlines for America’s (A4A) SVP of Communications. “We are proud to employ one million employees who help transport millions of passengers and deliver thousands of tons of cargo every day.”
The holiday weekend is also an important time to remind travelers of the near-approaching REAL ID deadline. Starting May 7, 2025, all travelers will be required to present a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or other acceptable form of identification to fly domestically within the U.S. To learn more about REAL ID, click here.
Other tips for travelers:
Keep an eye on the weather: Safety is always our industry’s top priority. Airlines do everything within their control to ensure flights depart and arrive on time, but if conditions make it unsafe to operate an aircraft or for crews to work outside, our planes will not take off. More information is available here.
Download your airline’s mobile app: Don’t forget to download your carrier’s app as soon as you purchase a ticket! U.S. airlines have made significant investments in their mobile apps so they relay any flight updates such as boarding times, gate numbers and any other important announcements.
Allow plenty of time: Be sure to allow extra time if you are using a car service, as they get particularly busy around the holiday. If you are driving yourself to the airport, allow ample time for heavy airport traffic and be aware that some parking garages are under construction.
Add your TSA PreCheck to your reservation: If you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, make sure the TSA checkmark is on your boarding pass before getting to the airport for a smoother, expedited security screening.
Reserve parking: Some airports offer reserved parking. Be sure to check your airport’s website to see if you can reserve your spot to save you time when you get to the airport.