The 2024 travel season has shattered records, and this Labor Day weekend is poised to push those numbers even higher.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates screening more than 17 million travelers at airports between August 29 and September 4, a surge of 8.5% compared to last year.
It’s a fitting finale to a summer of unprecedented movement, with the TSA’s top ten busiest days all recorded since May.
David Pekoske, TSA Administrator, noted that more people are traveling this summer than ever before.
He added that TSA, along with airline and airport partners, is prepared to close out the busiest summer travel period on record during this upcoming Labor Day weekend.
Pekoske praised the TSA workforce, from frontline officers to those behind the scenes, for their dedication to securing the transportation system.
He emphasized the importance of new checkpoint technology in enhancing security, efficiency, and the passenger experience.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport are expected to be the busiest airports during this period, according to data from Hopper.
Domestically, New York City, Seattle, and Los Angeles top the list of popular destinations, while Tokyo, London, and Paris lead for international travel.
On the roads, delays are expected to increase by 9%, with the heaviest traffic predicted on Labor Day itself, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to INRIX analytics.
While this weekend will mark the peak, there’s a hint of a slowdown on the horizon.
The TSA noted a brief dip below 2 million passengers on a single day this week—the first time since early March.
But make no mistake, this season has already seen record-breaking numbers, including the post-Fourth of July rush, which set the record for the highest number of passengers screened in a single day, exceeding 3 million.
As the summer winds down, travelers—and businesses—can reflect on a season that’s been, quite literally, a journey of epic proportions.
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