(UNITED STATES) The Labor Day airport rush has started with the Transportation Security Administration forecasting a record 17.4 million people passing through U.S. checkpoints from Thursday, August 28, 2025, through Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The agency says the peak will hit on Friday, August 29, when nearly 3 million passengers could be screened—well above a normal daily flow of about 2.4 million. In an urgent alert on August 25, TSA warned travelers to expect longer security lines, early morning backups at major hubs, and periodic gate-hold delays as airports stretch to meet demand.
Airlines are preparing for a crush. American Airlines is operating its largest Labor Day plan ever, with an expected 3.9 million customers across 36,500 flights. United Airlines projects 3.1 million passengers from Thursday through Monday, another all-time high for the carrier. Cheaper prices are helping fill those seats: domestic airfares are down about 6%, hotel rates about 11%, and car rentals about 3% compared with Labor Day 2024.
Popular routes this week include:
- Seattle
- Orlando
- New York
- Boston
- Anchorage
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Denver
- Miami
- Las Vegas
These routes reflect a mix of family vacations, last-chance summer trips, and late-season Alaska travel.
Security policy and ID changes
A set of security policy changes will shape the travel experience this Labor Day.
- As of July 8, 2025, TSA ended the long-standing rule that required removing shoes at checkpoints. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the move is part of a broader push to modernize screening and ease pressure on lines during busy periods like Labor Day.
- The change should speed up throughput, but there are important caveats: travelers who arrive without REAL ID may face extra screening and may not benefit from the quicker flow.
- REAL ID checks began in May 2025, and TSA reports about 94% compliance nationwide.
- Travelers can review ID requirements and acceptable documents on the official TSA REAL ID page: https://www.tsa.gov/real-id.
Important: If you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport, plan for additional screening and possible delays at the checkpoint.
Checkpoint technology and screening lanes
TSA is rolling out new automated screening lanes at large airports, including Las Vegas, Baltimore, and LAX.
- These lanes let several travelers load bins at once and use self-service ID checks.
- When used correctly, they can move people 30–40% faster than traditional lanes.
- Staff will guide newcomers, but the process works best when passengers are ready: laptops out only if asked, liquids packed correctly, and pockets clear before stepping forward.
Digital identity tools are spreading as well:
- Travelers can store a digital ID in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for use at select checkpoints.
- This helps reduce bottlenecks at document podiums and builds on TSA’s broader technology investments.
Expedited programs remain a strong hedge against delays:
- TSA PreCheck — keeps many items in bags and gives access to dedicated lanes.
- Clear — speeds identity checks at participating airports.
- New effort starting July 2, 2025, Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease, offers TSA PreCheck discounts and expedited lanes at select airports for uniformed service members and their families.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske praised front-line officers for handling record volumes this summer and noted that technology upgrades are improving both security and the passenger journey.
- Since Memorial Day, TSA has screened about 239.8 million people—roughly 2.7 million each day.
- Seven of the agency’s ten busiest days ever have occurred since May.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the Labor Day surge is part of a broader return to full-capacity travel across the U.S. 🇺🇸
Road travel, weather, and connecting ground transportation
Road travel will be heavy, too. AAA and mobility data firms caution that Friday and Monday will bring the most crowded highways and the highest risks for traffic incidents.
- Air travelers connecting to rental cars at hub airports should leave extra time to exit garages and reach interstates, especially in cities with ongoing construction.
- Weather adds another variable: the southern U.S. faces rainstorms and thunderstorms that could ripple through airline schedules.
- Keep an eye on airline apps for gate changes and rolling delays.
How travelers can reduce delays this week
- Arrive early. Budget more time than usual—especially for the rush on Friday, August 29.
- Bring the right ID. Check that you have a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport before heading to the airport.
- Try digital ID. If available at your airport, add your ID to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for quicker verification.
- Consider expedited options. Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Clear, and confirm your Known Traveler Number is attached to your booking.
- Prep for automated lanes. Be ready to load bins, follow screen prompts, and wait for your turn to step forward.
- Watch the weather. Check forecasts and set airline alerts for real-time changes.
- Contact TSA directly. Text “Travel” to AskTSA at 275-872 for quick, official help and airport-specific tips.
Quick checklist for packing and line speed:
- Keep liquids within the 3-1-1 rule unless you have an exemption.
- Avoid oversized liquids and overcrowded bags that require extra screening.
- Pull laptops only when asked and follow officer instructions.
- Have IDs ready and accessible before reaching the podium.
Note: Automated lanes will speed many passengers, but first-time users may slow lines as they learn the steps. Gate areas will be tight at full banks of departures, and boarding groups may be strictly enforced to keep things moving.
Staffing, policy proposals, and the outlook beyond the holiday
Looking beyond the holiday, TSA plans to expand automated screening lanes to more major hubs over the next year and continue investing in digital identity and checkpoint technology through 2026 and beyond.
On Capitol Hill, the proposed Rights for the TSA Workforce Act (S.997, 119th Congress) seeks to bolster workforce stability, which could support smoother operations if volumes remain high. Timing and final provisions are still pending, but the focus on staffing and training reflects the strain of record travel days.
For now, the agency’s core message is simple:
- Expect record crowds.
- Plan ahead.
- Use every speed tool you can.
If you’re flying with older relatives or young children, build in more time and consider an airport meet-up point in case someone moves through screening faster than the rest of the party. If weather threatens your route, grab the earliest flight of the day when on-time rates are strongest and avoid tight connections at storm-prone hubs.
The busiest Labor Day in modern history will test airports, airlines, and families trying to make the most of the final summer weekend. With the right ID, smart timing, and a little patience in line, most travelers should still reach their barbecues, beaches, ballparks, and reunions on schedule—despite the pressure that comes with moving 17.4 million people in a single week.
This Article in a Nutshell
Labor Day 2025 travel is shaping up as the busiest holiday period in modern U.S. history, with TSA forecasting 17.4 million passengers between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3 and a peak of nearly 3 million screened on Aug. 29. Airlines expanded capacity—American schedules 36,500 flights for 3.9 million customers and United expects 3.1 million passengers. Security changes include ending the shoe-removal rule on July 8 and broad REAL ID checks (about 94% compliance). Automated screening lanes, digital IDs, and expedited programs like TSA PreCheck and Clear aim to ease delays. Travelers should arrive early, carry REAL ID-compliant identification or a passport, consider digital ID and expedited services, and monitor airline alerts and weather to reduce disruptions.
