Labor Day travel is experiencing a significant surge this year, with domestic trips showing a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This trend is reflected in booking data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), which reveals a 30% jump in trips to Seattle. The city’s popularity is attributed to its role as a major port for Alaska cruises.
“This is a great time of year to take a cruise to Alaska,” said Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Crowds are smaller than earlier in the summer, the weather is still decent, although chillier than in July and August, and you may even see some fall colors.”
Gas prices over the Labor Day weekend are averaging $3.35 a gallon nationwide, down from $3.81 a gallon during the same period in 2023, according to AAA. This price drop could be contributing to the increased travel demand.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, anticipating screening over 17 million people at airports from August 29th to September 4th. The busiest day is expected to be August 30th, with 2.86 million travelers projected to be screened.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske remarked, “People are traveling more than ever this summer, and TSA along with our airline and airport partners stand ready to close the busiest summer travel period on record during this upcoming Labor Day weekend.”
This strong travel demand is reflected in the stock market. While some rental car companies and cruise providers saw slight dips in their stock prices, airline stocks like Delta and United showed gains on Friday. Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ) declined 3.1% to $3.10, Avis Budget Group (CAR) fell 0.99% to $81.82, Delta Air Lines (DAL) gained 1.1% to $42.01, United Airlines Holdings (UAL) rose 1.92% to $43.46, Carnival Corporation (CCL) slipped 1.42% to $16.31, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) slid 0.98% to $17.67.
The robust summer travel season is a testament to the public’s desire to explore and experience new destinations after the pandemic restrictions. The Labor Day weekend promises to be a particularly busy period, with a surge in both domestic and international travel.
