Labor Day is just around the corner, and US airlines are bracing for a busy travel weekend. This year, Labor Day falls on September 4, and it’s the last long weekend of the summer season. Schools and colleges usually start their new terms around this time, so it’s a last hurrah for many families.
United Airlines Predicts Record Numbers
United Airlines, based in Chicago, is getting ready for what they call “a record-breaking Labor Day holiday.” They’re expecting about 2.8 million passengers to fly with them. That’s a 13% increase in travel demand, even beating the numbers from before the pandemic hit. United also noticed a trend: more people are taking international trips this Labor Day. They said, “Bookings for international travel over the Labor Day holiday period are up 35% compared to 2019 and 29% compared to last year.” Not just that, but people are also extending their vacations, arriving earlier and leaving later.
American and Delta Airlines Gear Up
American Airlines is also preparing for a big weekend. They’re expecting nearly 3.5 million customers across almost 32,000 scheduled flights. That’s a schedule 20% larger than their closest competitor. The busiest days? August 31 and September 1, with more than 5,800 flights scheduled for each day.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, estimates they’ll fly between 3.3 and 3.4 million passengers over the five-day holiday. That’s an average of about 550,000 passengers per day. Last year, they transported nearly 2.9 million customers, and about 3.1 million back in 2019.
Alaska Airlines and Travel Challenges
Alaska Airlines is also expecting a busy Labor Day. They’re planning to transport 700,000 passengers, an 8% increase from last year. They even said, “Passenger levels for the Labor Day period are expected to be at pre-pandemic levels.” Their largest hub, Seattle Tacoma International Airport, will see an 18% increase in volume compared to last year.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. US airlines have faced some bumps this year, like staffing issues, tech problems, and bad weather. For instance, during the Independence Day weekend, United had to cancel almost 3,000 flights and delay many more due to these challenges.
Know Your Rights
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has rolled out several consumer protection measures over the past year. These are all available on their aviation consumer protection website, where travelers can learn about their rights regarding delays, cancellations, refunds, and more.
So, if you’re planning to fly this Labor Day, you’re definitely not alone. Airlines are expecting record numbers and are preparing for a busy travel weekend. Just keep in mind that while airlines are optimistic, challenges can arise, so it’s good to know your rights as a passenger.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
