Americans brace for record Labor Day travel

Travel experts say a record number of people are expected to hit the skies and the roads.

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NBC)- With Labor Day weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing for summer’s final getaway. Travel experts say a record number of people are expected to hit the skies and the roads.

United Airlines anticipates more than 3 million passengers this holiday weekend, nearly 250,000 more than last year. American Airlines is bracing for nearly 4 million travelers across more than 36,000 flights, marking its largest-ever Labor Day weekend operation. Major airports across the country are expecting heavy traffic, with top destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Las Vegas.

The FAA reports that more than five million flights have taken place since Memorial Day, making 2025 the busiest summer in over a decade. Meanwhile, the TSA has rolled out several changes to streamline security, including family-friendly lanes and the phasing out of the “shoes off” policy. In Atlanta, an experimental facial recognition program called “E-Gates” is helping passengers move through checkpoints faster, with plans for expansion.

Travel costs are also trending lower this year. Domestic roundtrip flights are averaging $720, about 6% cheaper than last year, while hotel rates are down 11%, and rental car prices have also fallen. For those driving, gas prices remain low, matching summer averages from 2021.