Avoid These Hectic Days for Labor Day Weekend Flights
Americans are preparing to travel and make the most of the long Labor Day weekend. People are planning their final summer beach getaway of the year, a quiet retreat into the mountains, or simply a time to unwind with family and friends. Travel arrangements are being made, accommodations booked, and plans coordinated as people look forward to squeezing the last drops of relaxation and enjoyment out of the summer months.
NerdWallet conducted an analysis of TSA data spanning the previous four years, which includes the volume of passengers screened at TSA checkpoints within the United States. They used the data to determine the busiest days for travel around the Labor Day holiday.
Booking Labor Day travel
Analysis of TSA checkpoint data indicates that many people use Labor Day as an extended weekend, typically leaving on Friday, enjoying a full weekend getaway, and returning on Monday. The study suggests opting for days other than the beginning and end of the weekend to avoid crowds and potentially save on expenses when booking Labor Day travel.
Drawing from an average of the past four years, the most crowded day within the Labor Day weekend is the Friday prior to Labor Day, closely followed by the Thursday before, Labor Day itself, and the Sunday thereafter. If you’ve got enough vacation days to spare or can work remotely, you’ll score more time away without the airport crowds.
The study’s findings reveal that, across the seven days including both before and after Labor Day, the Friday before Labor Day has consistently stood as the busiest day for air travel over the examined four-year period.
They say to travel these days instead
While it might seem sensible to leave on Friday after work and come back on Labor Day, many others do the same, leading to higher prices for flights and crowded airports. To enjoy a smoother journey, the financial website recommends looking into flights on Tuesday or Wednesday before Labor Day or traveling on Saturday and returning on Sunday just before the holiday.
Take a look at the full breakdown here.
