After a record summer for air travel, officials expect Labor Day weekend to cap off the summer with another exceptionally busy day at U.S. airports.
The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17 million people nationwide — a passenger count about 8.5% higher than the total for the same period last year — which would be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, according to an agency news release. It classifies the period from Thursday through Wednesday as Labor Day travel.
Officials expect Friday to be the busiest day at U.S. airports, when 2.86 million people are expected to be screened. Los Angeles International Airport is also expected to see its highest number of travelers this weekend.
On July 7, air travel hit a record peak, when more than 3 million people passed through TSA lines — the most in a single day, according to TSA officials. It tops the list of the 10 busiest days in airport travel history, all of which have occurred since May 2024, the agency said.
“People are traveling more than ever this summer, and TSA, along with our airline and airport partners, are ready to close out the busiest summer travel period on record during the upcoming Labor Day weekend,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.
Road travel is also expected to increase this weekend, as gas prices rise across California ahead of the holiday road trip surge. According to the Auto Club of Southern California, the four most popular local destinations for those venturing outside the Los Angeles area will be San Diego, Anaheim, the Grand Canyon and the Central Coast.
For Americans flying, Seattle is the top Labor Day travel destination, according to AAA.
Airport officials recommend that those planning to fly this holiday weekend arrive early, make sure they have acceptable identification (a state-issued photo ID or driver’s license (a Real ID is ideal, which will be required by TSA starting in May) or a passport) and use any available passenger assistance or pre-check services. For those driving, experts recommend leaving early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic in the afternoons, especially on Sundays and Mondays.
