NEW YORK — Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are expected to be packed for the long holiday weekend.

In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates screening more than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday – a record for the Labour Day period.

AAA says bookings for U.S. domestic travel are running 9% higher than last year for the holiday weekend, while international trips are down 4%.

American Airlines plans to have its largest Labour Day weekend operation ever and expects a 14% increase in passengers compared to last year.

Road trippers are getting a break, with the nationwide average price of gas pegged at US$3.44 per gallon, compared to $3.86 a year ago.

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

“Now we’re falling into that traditional fall season when demand slumps, and you’re also seeing that in airfares,” said Steve Hafner, CEO, Kayak. “Airfares are down from the summer about 26% already, and they’re down even from the previous fall, about 4%.”

When will airports be busiest? Friday, according to the TSA. The agency expects to screen 2.86 million people that day. The TSA’s single-day record of 3.01 million was set on July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.

TSA says it has enough screeners to keep the time it takes to get through regular lines to 30 minutes or less and to no more than 10 minutes for PreCheck lines.

American Airlines said Thursday and Friday will be its busiest days, with 6,400 flights per day, followed by Labour Day itself, when the carrier has 6,300 scheduled flights.