The airline network planners seemed to be on their summer vacations in August.
28.08.2024 - 19:55 / cntraveler.com / Bob Pishue
Summer travel 2024, with its record-breaking crowds, is set to reach a fever pitch over Labor Day Weekend. The busiest summer season in recent history is set to end with a bang, as a historic number of people are expected to take to the roads and skies.
According to the latest predictions from AAA, domestic travel over the Labor Day weekend period—from Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2—is up 9% compared to last year. For its part, the TSA expects to screen 8.5% more airline passengers than over Labor Day 2023, making the upcoming long weekend a fitting end of the summer for the security agency, which has already inked its top 10 busiest travel days ever since May 2024.
The most popular destination is expected to be Seattle, according to AAA, with many tourists using the city as a launch pad for Alaska cruises, the organization says. Labor Day trips to Seattle are up 30% year over year, AAA says, and Anchorage and Juneau are also among the top 10 destinations for the long weekend. Other busy destinations will be Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco.
But planning a getaway for the long weekend doesn’t mean resigning yourself to traffic jams and logistical headaches. Here’s how to navigate the crowds, whether you plan to travel by plane or car.
To avoid Labor Day traffic, drivers should plan to get an early start when heading out of town on Thursday and Friday: The afternoon and evening hours on those days are expected to be among the most congested all weekend. “Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at travel data firm Inrix, said in a statement.
Avoid driving from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, which are among the worst times to depart, according to AAA’s report. Travel times during those windows can be up to 40% longer than normal on popular routes, like between New York and the Jersey Shore, Inrix’s data shows. Instead, the best times to hit the road will be anytime before 11 a.m. on Thursday and before noon on Friday.
For return journeys home, road-trippers should also aim to hit the road as early as possible on Sunday and Monday—anytime before noon or before 10 a.m., respectively, should result in less congested highways. Avoid afternoon and evening travel on those days as well. The most traffic-laden hours are expected to be 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.
If you’re traveling to or from a major city, it could be worth looking at the specific Labor Day traffic report for those metro areas. Inrix has compiled a list of the peak congestion times for 16 major cities, and it could
The airline network planners seemed to be on their summer vacations in August.
Six decades after hosting the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — when Japan rapidly rolled out new infrastructure like its Shinkansen bullet train and accommodations like Hotel New Otani Tokyo to welcome the anticipated influx of foreigners — the country remains one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 17.78 million foreign visitors arrived in the first half of 2024, breaking 2019's previous record of 16.63 million. And there are no signs of a slowdown: Japan aims to nearly double 2019's end-of-year record of 31.88 million tourists to a staggering 60 million annually by 2030.
Spirit Airlines is waving off summer with a bang and a big sale that has flights across the country starting as low as $48 one-way.
Aug 30, 2024 • 5 min read
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Low-cost airlines are jumping in on the Labor Day Weekend sales, and it could mean big savings on fall travel. Frontier Airlines recently announced the «Work Less, Fly More! Labor Day Deals» which offers flights from $29 to popular destinations including Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando, and more. The fare sale provides deep discounts on flights through November 17, 2024, making it perfect for fall or early winter getaways to warm destinations.
Holland America Line will open up grand voyages and pole-to-pole sailings to travelers hoping to book just a segment, making it easier to explore some of the coolest regions on Earth.
Americans are gearing up for a record-breaking Labor Day holiday weekend with nearly 23 million seats booked, and some days and airports will be more crowded than others.
Skift Global Forum kicks off on September 17th with an opening reception at The Glasshouse (660 12th Ave at 48th Street) in New York City, running from 6-9 pm ET. This special evening will include insightful fireside chats with top executives from the travel industry, followed by an exciting reception.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 27, 2024, and now, here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
It has been a very eventful summer and we're all sad to see it go. As we soak up these final days in the sun, endless deals from some of our favorite travel-friendly brands are here to help you prepare for pumpkin spice season. Labor Day sales are in full swing and that means steep discounts on fall-ready clothing, new footwear, outdoor gear, beauty products, and more. We've rounded up all the top deals for travelers, whether you're looking to refresh your fall wardrobe, prep for autumn camping trips, or restock your skincare essentials. There are plenty of deals to shop now through the weekend—and some even running through mid-September. Below, find the best Labor Day sales from Brooklinen, Calpak, Cozy Earth, Monos, and more.
Hotel contracts with hospitality union UNITE HERE are ending this month, and if hotel workers don’t receive the better benefits and higher wages they’re asking for, an estimated 10,000+ workers could go on strike across the country in what could be the biggest hotel strike in American history.