<div>
<p>As children return to school across the U.S. and the days become shorter, there’s still one last chance to enjoy swimsuits and beach towels: <span class="LinkEnhancement">Labor Day</span>.</p>
<p>This long holiday weekend is expected to see busy airports, highways, beaches, and amusement parks as many Americans celebrate the unofficial end of summer <span class="LinkEnhancement">just as they began it</span>: <span class="LinkEnhancement">by traveling</span>.</p>
<p>The <span class="LinkEnhancement">Transportation Security Administration (TSA)</span> predicts it will screen over 17 million travelers from Thursday through the following Wednesday—a new record for the Labor Day holiday.</p>
<p>According to AAA, domestic travel bookings are running 9% higher than last year for this weekend, while international bookings have decreased by 4%.</p>
<p>American Airlines expects this to be its largest Labor Day weekend operation ever, with a 14% increase in <span class="LinkEnhancement">passengers</span> compared to last year.</p>
<p>If you're planning to take one last summer trip, here’s what you need to know.</p>
<h2>Why Do People Travel for Labor Day?</h2>
<p>“While Labor Day isn’t as popular for travel as July 4th or Thanksgiving, it definitely offers a chance for people to enjoy a final summer getaway. Many are either taking the three-day weekend or extending their time off leading up to Labor Day,” explains Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for AAA.</p>
<h2>What Are Prices Like? </h2>
<p>Motorists can enjoy lower gasoline prices this year, with the national average recently at $3.44 per gallon, compared to $3.86 last year, as reported by AAA.</p>
<p>For those using electric vehicles, the average price per kilowatt hour at commercial charging stations is about 34 cents. It’s less than 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri but exceeds 40 cents in several states like New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Hawaii has the highest rates, averaging 56 cents.</p>
<p>In July, average airfares dropped by 7.1% compared to June and 2.8% from the previous July, according to government statistics. This decline signals a shift as the peak summer travel season wraps up.</p>
<p>“We’re entering the traditional fall season when travel demand tends to decrease, which is reflected in lower airfares,” says <span class="LinkEnhancement">Steve Hafner</span>, CEO of the travel search site Kayak. “Airfare prices are down about 26% since the summer and also 4% lower than last fall.”</p>
<h2>When Is the Best Time to Travel by Car?</h2>
<p>If you're setting off on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, anticipate heavy traffic as you’ll be sharing the road with many other travelers. Consider leaving before the morning rush or in the evening to avoid gridlock.</p>
<p>Data from INRIX indicates that the worst times to travel by car are Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, aim to avoid driving between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>For the return trip, expect heavy traffic all day on Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to INRIX.</p>
<p>Additionally, drive carefully as new data from Arity, part of Allstate, shows a significant rise in speeding: an 83% increase in drivers going over 80 mph and a more than 50% rise in those exceeding 100 mph. Interestingly, instances of distracted driving have decreased over the past three Labor Days.</p>
<h2>When Will Airports Be the Busiest?</h2>
<p>According to the TSA, Friday will be the busiest travel day. The agency is expecting to screen 2.86 million people that day. While impressive, it wouldn't even rank among the top 15 busiest travel days in TSA history, with a record 3.01 million set on July 7, following Independence Day.</p>
<p>The TSA assures travelers that there will be enough screeners to keep regular line wait times to around 30 minutes or less, and about 10 minutes for PreCheck lines.</p>
<p>American Airlines anticipates its busiest days will be Thursday and Friday, with 6,400 flights daily, followed closely by Labor Day itself, featuring 6,300 scheduled flights.</p>
<p>Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is working to restore full service following <span class="LinkEnhancement">an apparent cyberattack</span>. Though Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines have no flight disruptions to report, airlines are cautioning passengers against checking bags due to issues with their bag-sorting system. AAA identified Seattle as the top Labor Day destination based on bookings.</p>
<h2>What to Do if Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled</h2>
<p>Before heading to the airport, double-check your flight status. It’s better to lounge at home than to be caught off guard at the airport.</p>
<p>If your flight gets canceled, the airline may automatically rebook you, but this may not always be your best option.</p>
<p>“Get on the phone with the airline’s help center, connect with a live agent, or even reach out via social media if needed. Explore all available options,” advises Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, a tool for comparing fares that utilize frequent flyer points. "You’ll often find alternative flights that might suit you better.”</p>
<p>Kheel suggests that agents at the airport can offer more assistance, but they may also be overwhelmed during busy periods. Checking rebooking options on the airline's website or app might be faster.</p>
<p><strong>Quick Phone Tip:</strong> If the airline has international support numbers, calling one may get you through faster than the U.S. lines.</p>
<h2>What About Refunds and Reimbursement?</h2>
<p>Airlines must provide refunds for canceled flights, including any extra fees incurred, but they are not obligated to offer cash compensation. Only Alaska, Southwest, and JetBlue commit to providing travel vouchers when cancellations are caused by the airline.</p>
<p>If you find yourself stranded overnight, ask the airline if they’ll cover your hotel, meals, and ground transportation. Most major U.S. airlines, except Frontier, will help with these costs for what they categorize as “controllable” disruptions, according to the Transportation Department’s <span class="LinkEnhancement"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-customer-service-dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">airline policy dashboard</a></span>. However, these provisions don’t apply in case of cancellations due to weather.</p>
<p>Always keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses in case you need to file a claim later.</p>
<h2>Final Tips for Travelers</h2>
<p>— Start your journey early. Everything will take more time than planned, including passing through airport security. If you’re parking at the airport, check online for available parking space information before you leave.</p>
<p>— Pay attention to the weather. Clear skies at home don’t guarantee a smooth journey at your destination; storms could disrupt travel plans. Have a backup travel route ready.</p>
<p>— Stay calm. Flight cancellations and traffic jams can be incredibly frustrating. Remember, you're not the only one dealing with these issues. Customer service agents are busy during peak travel times, so being patient and respectful can go a long way.</p>
<h2>___</h2>
<p>Reporting from Dallas by Koenig, with contributions from Business Writer Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and video journalist Rick Gentilo in Washington.</p>
</div>
<script>
window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId : '870613919693099',
xfbml : true,
version : 'v2.9'
});
};
(function(d, s, id){
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js";
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
</script>This rewritten version maintains the original meaning but presents it in a more straightforward way, making it accessible to a general audience while including additional context and details where appropriate.
