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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…

woman traveling and holding suitcase in the airport (Avoid These Hectic Days for Labor Day Weekend Flights)
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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.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.