TSA Expects Busiest Labor Day Ever — Here’s How to Prepare

If you’re planning to travel this Labor Day holiday, you’re not alone.

On Wednesday, Transportation Security Administration has announced that it is preparing to screen more than 17 million passengers between Thursday, August 29 and Wednesday, September 4 — if those numbers come to fruition, it will likely be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record.

This latest forecast follows some recent record-breaking travel periods from the TSA. busy holiday season 2023TSA has established a one day record in the number of passengers screened on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with 2.9 million passengers passing through security screening lanes. That number was surpassed on Sunday, June 23, when nearly 2.9 million passengers were screened. 3 million people in just one day — the number then crossed the 3 million mark on July 7.

Related: Busiest travel day ever: Airports set records as July 4 rush begins

Based on its projections, the TSA doesn’t expect more than 3 million travelers on Labor Day this year, but that doesn’t mean airports won’t be booked, busy, and crowded with travelers.

Here’s what you need to know before heading to the airport this Labor Day holiday.

When and where do people travel?

TSA predicts August 30 will be the busiest travel day of the holiday, with an expected 2.86 million passengers. Overall, the agency expects passenger traffic to increase 8.5% compared to the same time in 2023. Keep in mind that TSA has screened 239.8 million people since Memorial Day weekend—an average of 2.7 million people per day.

“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 with the upcoming Labor Day holiday,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a press release.

Based on flight search data from online travel company Expedia, Las Vegas, New York and Orlando are among the most popular domestic destinations for passengers, while Cancun, Paris and London top the international list.

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On the accommodation front, Expedia saw the highest year-over-year growth in interest in locations like Indianapolis; Cape May, New Jersey; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and South Lake Tahoe, California, on the domestic front. Places like Tulum, Mexico; Mallorca, Spain; and the island of Curacao were among the most popular overseas locations where users were hoping to find a place to stay.

Labor Day weekend also marks the beginning of “off-peak” season for many destinations. This quieter period between summer and the holidays can be a great time to travel if you’re hoping to enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds.

Expedia found that the week of September 1 is the cheapest time for domestic flights this fall, with average airfares nearly $100 lower than during peak summer months, based on historical data.

Likewise, the travel planning company funnel recently released its fall travel report that found travelers can save more than $100 on air travel this fall compared to booking domestic flights during the peak summer months. That savings increases to more than $300 for European destinations.

If you want to book a last-minute budget trip on Labor Day, plan the trip right after the holiday when everyone is heading home.

If you’re planning to arrive at the airport an hour or less before your flight departs, let us be the first to warn you that the TSA recommends passengers arrive at least two hours before boarding time for domestic flights and three hours earlier for international flights.

This ensures you have enough time to park, check your bags if necessary, go through TSA checkpoint, and walk to your gate. And if you decide you need a snack or drink before your flight, you’ll have plenty of time to stock up on refreshments.

Have a backup plan

Although they are inconvenient, delays and cancellations can happen, and the saying “prepare for the worst, but expect the best” holds true here.

If you’re facing a delay or cancellation, hundreds of other passengers are probably in the same situation. This means there will likely be a (very) long line at your airline’s customer service desk. Before your trip, download the airline’s app to your phone so you can easily contact a customer service representative or reschedule your travel plans yourself. This is often faster than waiting in line to talk to someone at the counter.

Related: Don’t Wait: Here’s How to Contact Airline Customer Service Quickly

You can also use the airline’s app to search for alternative flights. You can even do this before Disasters happen, so it’s a good idea to have a few backup flights ready in case you need to rebook.

Get through airport security faster

According to the TSA, you can typically expect to wait 30 minutes or less in a standard TSA screening lane, but the standard wait time for a TSA PreCheck lane is 10 minutes or less. Plus, if you sign up for TSA PreCheck, you don’t have to take off your shoes or remove your liquids or laptop when you go through security. If you haven’t signed up for TSA PreCheck, we have a handy list. Which airlines and airports participate in the program? And Everything you need to know before applying.

Once you’ve signed up for TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation to use the service at the airport. Then, make sure you see the PreCheck logo displayed on your boarding pass when you check in for your flight. If you don’t see it, you’ll need to contact the airline you will fly together before arriving at the airport.

A five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 to $85, depending on which provider you sign up with. However, if you travel internationally frequently, you may want to opt for Global Entry, which costs $100 for five years (starting in October, Global Entry will cost $120). The TSA PreCheck membership fee is included in Global Entry, so you get the benefit of both programs if you choose Global Entry.

Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which Option Is More Beneficial?

You may also want to consider a Delete member. Clear is a security program that quickly verifies your identity using biometric data (an eye scan or fingerprint). It eliminates the need to show ID to a TSA agent and allows you to skip the security screening line (TSA PreCheck for those with Clear and TSA PreCheck or standard TSA screening for those without). A Clear membership costs $199 a year. If you don’t want to pay the full cost, there are also How to get a discounted Clear membership.

Have the right credit card

All of the above programs cost money, but if you have the right credit card, you can reduce the cost down to $0.

Many credit cards now include a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees as part of their benefits (up to $100), meaning you can get the fee reimbursed after you apply. Some of these cards also offer additional airport benefits, including lounge access, free checked baggage, priority boardingseat upgrades and more. Includes:

Similarly, some credit cards offer statement credits for annual Clear membership:

The information about the American Express Green Card, Centurion Card by American Express, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.