International travel sees increase for Labor Day weekend, air travel on the rise

Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times
·5 min read
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As the final days of summer slowly trickle away, many in western Pennsylvania are taking advantage of Labor Day weekend for their last-minute travel plans and international adventures.

According to AAA East Central and other travel agencies, the upcoming holiday weekend will be a popular time for families to explore the United States and popular tourist destinations abroad. Travel experts say that this year's travel is higher than the holiday weekend during 2022, with domestic travel increasing by 4% and international travel increasing by 44%.

“As summer ends and school begins, many families are taking advantage of Labor Day weekend to head out of town for a few days,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president of AAA East Central. “The long holiday weekend provides another opportunity to travel, whether planning a road trip to visit family and friends or deciding to take that dream trip to Canada or even Europe.”

International destinations and domestic air travel seeing a spike during 2023

As many families prepare to return to school and see spikes in extracurricular obligations after the long weekend, booking data shows that these travelers are seeking to get their last-minute summer experiences across the globe.

International destinations have seen a large influx of tourism this year, with popular destinations including Vancouver, Rome, London, Dublin and Paris. International hotel bookings have gone up by 82% this year and cruise bookings are also seeing renewed popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic, with reservations for travel on these boats increasing by over 40% during 2023.

A crowd of travelers and airport personnel get off the Sky Train at Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4 on June 30, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz.
A crowd of travelers and airport personnel get off the Sky Train at Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4 on June 30, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz.

When breaking down this data, AAA East Central said Canada remains a popular destination around this time of year due to cooler temperatures and impressive scenery. As restrictions on travel have been lifted in European countries, many families are also taking the opportunity to explore new locations "across the pond" while the weather remains warm.

Flights departing from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) have seen a slight preference for London, aided by a renewed partnership with British Airways, as well as tropical destinations for those looking for leisure.

"Our British Airways nonstop flight to London Heathrow, which operates six days a week, remains very popular with both leisure and business passengers," said Matt Neistein, public affairs manager at PIT. "The fifth and sixth days, which were just added this spring, have increased the number of people taking advantage of this service. It’s particularly convenient because Heathrow offers them a connection to more than 200 other destinations around the world. And we continue to see strong leisure service to Caribbean destinations like Cancun and Punta Cana."

For domestic travel, popular destinations this holiday weekend will include Seattle, Orlando, Anchorage, New York and Las Vegas. According to AAA, demand for travel to Seattle has risen as more travelers utilize Alaskan cruises departing from the city's port. While Florida's travel numbers have dipped in recent months, the spot still remains a popular destination for beaches, theme parks and cruise ship departures.

Traveler approaches the self-check-in kiosks for Southwest Airlines in Denver International Airport as the Labor Day holiday approaches Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Traveler approaches the self-check-in kiosks for Southwest Airlines in Denver International Airport as the Labor Day holiday approaches Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

While not as popular as dates around Thanksgiving or Christmas, air travel at PIT often booms around Labor Day weekend and the airport is expected to be busy with families getting away for the holiday. As the travel industry continues to recover from a slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials are optimistic about the renewed interest in seeing the world and traveling by air.

"This is something we regularly see each year, so it’s normal for us to accommodate," Neistein said. "For this year, we expect the number of seats arriving and departing at PIT from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5 to be close to 160,000. That’s a 14 percent increase from 2022. Traffic overall has been at or above pre-pandemic levels on several days this summer and we expect to be consistently back at that point very soon."

Residents in western Pennsylvania planning to depart from the Pittsburgh International Airport may notice some heavy construction efforts as the airport continues its modernization program, which officials say is continuing to progress successfully around the terminal. Travelers should remain aware and read all signs when arriving at the airport, as many routes outside and inside the terminal have been adjusted to accommodate the construction sites.

A traveler at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) watches the construction outside Concourse D as he waits for a flight on March 9, 2023. The area outside will be a part of the renovated parking at the popular airport.
A traveler at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) watches the construction outside Concourse D as he waits for a flight on March 9, 2023. The area outside will be a part of the renovated parking at the popular airport.

"As we build the airport of the future for the Pittsburgh region, our roadway system is under heavy construction which visitors will see as soon as they pull off the Parkway exit to the airport," Neistein said. "We continue to ask travelers to slow down in those construction zones for everyone’s safety and pay close attention to the temporary signage as their routes may be affected by the work. Inside the airport, they’ll see some work areas around the escalators between the train platform and the Center Core area of the Airside Terminal. Those cordoned-off areas have changed some of the walking routes in that terminal, so people should keep an eye on the signage over there, as well."

Updates on construction: One year after groundbreaking, PIT Terminal Construction Project showing signs of future

Travelers are also reminded to have patience at the airport during this increased period of travel. Lines may be slightly longer during the holiday weekend and crowds may form as people wait for their flights. For ease of travel, it is recommended that travelers check their carry-ons for any items prohibited by the TSA and reserve parking spots ahead of departure by visiting FlyPittsburgh.com, ensuring a spot when arriving during high-demand times.

When is the best time to travel by car this weekend?

While air and boat travel has seen an increase in demand, the most popular option for families to get away remains personal vehicles. Traffic will increase around cities and popular roadways across the United States, potentially causing local delays for residents and some extended periods of slow travel while driving to vacation destinations.

As the roads see a spike in travelers, the busiest times for traffic are expected to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, as people begin to travel to their vacation destinations. Traffic is also expected to spike after 11 a.m. Friday.

According to INRIX, the best times to avoid traffic throughout the long weekend will be:

  • Wednesday, Aug. 30 - Before 7 a.m.

  • Thursday, Aug. 31 - Before 7 a.m.

  • Friday, Sept. 1 - Before 11 a.m.

  • Saturday, Sept. 2 - After 6 p.m.

  • Sunday, Sept. 3 - Minimal traffic expected

  • Monday, Sept. 4 - After 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: More travelers headed abroad during this year's Labor Day weekend