By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
This Labor Day weekend is expected to see record breaking travel activity across the United States, but travelers can take comfort in one positive development: lower prices.
According to AAA, domestic travel over the 2024 Labor Day weekend is projected to increase by 9% compared to last year. At U.S. airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is bracing for its busiest Labor Day period ever, anticipating an 8.5% rise in passenger volume from 2023. Both United Airlines and American Airlines are preparing for their busiest Labor Day operations to date.
As travelers head into this busy weekend, many are likely wondering if the travel system can handle the surge. Phil Dengler, co founder of The Vacationer, expects that despite the high volume, airlines should manage the crowds, barring any severe weather events. “Millions of people are going to fly, and even more will be driving,” Dengler noted.
Lower airfares could help ease some of the challenges at airports. Additionally, Americans embarking on road trips will benefit from lower gas prices. AAA reports a 2% overall decrease in domestic travel costs over Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
Hopper, a travel company, has observed a 5% drop in airfare for Labor Day weekend compared to 2023 and a 17% decrease from 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduction in prices is attributed to increased airline supply and more favorable fuel costs.
Motorists will also find relief at the pump. The national average gas price over Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81 per gallon, according to AAA. As of Thursday, AAA's national average gas price was $3.36 per gallon. GasBuddy projects that the average gas price on Labor Day will be $3.27 per gallon, marking the lowest price for the holiday since 2021 and a 13% drop from last year. Despite summer road trips being popular, AAA notes that changes in daily driving habits have kept overall gas demand lower.
In terms of air travel, the TSA expects Friday to be the peak travel day, with an estimated 2.86 million people to be screened. The agency has staffed accordingly to meet its wait time standards: 10 minutes or less in TSA PreCheck lanes and 30 minutes or less in standard screening lanes. TSA anticipates screening 17 million people over the holiday period, from Thursday, August 29, through Wednesday, September 4.
While overall operations are expected to be smooth, Dengler advises travelers to be prepared for potential disruptions. He recommends booking direct flights, avoiding checked baggage, and using a credit card with extensive travel insurance to cover delays or cancellations. Dengler also reminds travelers that if their flight is significantly delayed or canceled, they are legally entitled to a cash refund if they choose not to travel.
For those driving, INRIX, a transportation data and insights provider, suggests avoiding crowded cities during peak times. The most congested periods are expected to be Thursday and Friday afternoons and early evenings.
Seattle is the top Labor Day weekend destination for 2024, with nearly a 30% increase in popularity from last year. This is largely due to the city's status as a major departure point for Alaska cruises, which are sold out for the weekend. Other popular destinations in Alaska include Anchorage and Juneau. Orlando, Florida, and New York City also remain major domestic destinations.
Internationally, Vancouver, British Columbia, is the top destination for Americans this Labor Day weekend, followed by Rome, London, Paris, and Dublin. AAA highlights that now is the ideal time to book Alaska cruises for 2025, noting that crowds are smaller this time of year compared to earlier in the summer.
