Full airports, roads and beaches are expected

Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are expected to be packed across the United States this Labor Day weekend as many Americans celebrate the unofficial end of summer — and many do so by traveling.

After what has already been a record-breaking summer for air travel, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicted its agents would screen more than 17 million people during a holiday period that began Thursday and runs through next Wednesday, about 8% more than last year.

If you plan to be part of the crowd heading out of town for one last blast of summer, here’s a rundown of what you need to know.

How are holiday trips going so far?
Busy, as expected.

Airlines had canceled more than 200 U.S. flights by late afternoon on the East Coast, a modest number by today’s standards. But more than 4,500 more flights were delayed, led by Southwest and American, according to the tracking service FlightAware.

Where are the potential trouble spots?
Weather is the main cause of flight delays. Forecasts call for scattered showers and possibly thunderstorms from Texas to New England and parts of Florida through the weekend, spreading to more of the Southeast on Monday.

How are the prices?
Motorists are getting a break from gasoline. The national average on Friday was $3.35 a gallon, compared with $3.83 a year ago.

For electric vehicles, the average price for a kilowatt of power at a commercial L2 charging station is about 34 cents. The average is less than 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri, but exceeds 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the most expensive, at 56 cents.

Average airfares in July were down 7.1% from June and 2.8% from July 2023, according to the government’s consumer price index.

When is the best time to hit the road?
Early morning or late evening. Transport data provider INRIX says traffic will be heaviest between 8am and 11am on Saturday and 11am and 8pm on Monday, when people are heading home.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Check the status of your flight before you head to the airport. It’s better to be stuck at home than stranded at the airport.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline may automatically rebook you. That may not be the best option.

What about refunds?
Airlines are required to provide refunds, even for extra fees paid, to passengers whose flights are cancelled for any reason. However, they are not required to pay cash compensation, and none of the major US airlines do so. Only Alaska, Southwest and JetBlue promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.

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