After a summer defined as much by flight cancellations and delays as the trips travelers finally were able to take, travel on the season’s final major holiday weekend went off with comparable ease.
The weekend included far fewer disruptions on the five largest U.S. airlines than occurred during the summer’s earlier holiday weekends around Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
Between Thursday and Sunday afternoon, there were 76% fewer flights canceled on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines compared to the same travel days leading into the Fourth of July, according to data from FlightAware. Additionally, there were 81% fewer cancellations on those five carriers compared to that same travel period leading into Memorial Day.
With Labor Day weekend often considered the unofficial end to the summer travel period, it marked a pleasant surprise during a season that too often saw itineraries upended as airlines tried to meet demand not seen in years while contending with staffing shortages, air traffic control delays and always-pesky summer thunderstorms.
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A line of planes waiting to take off at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in August 2022. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
A quieter weekend for travel
While there’s no doubt it was a busy weekend at airports with millions of flyers each day, airlines certainly are not dealing with the type of demand they saw earlier in summer thanks to travelers returning to normal schedules. This is especially the case for families, as many now have kids back in school.
Parking garages are filling up for the busy weekend, some are over 90% full right now. For real time parking availability visit https://t.co/ztEAK1ytvY Book your parking ahead at https://t.co/a34NdU30wC
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) September 2, 2022
Transportation Security Agency agents screened slightly fewer passengers between Thursday and Saturday compared with those same days leading into the Memorial Day holiday; passenger traffic was down more than 10% compared to those days leading into the Fourth of July. That’s not uncommon. Generally, the latter two holidays tend to be busier for travel.
In fact, the entire past week showed the onslaught of passengers at airports has begun to lighten a bit after months of sustained demand. Tuesday, Aug. 30, was the lightest day for air travel since March 29.
Travelers check in at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. BRANDON BELL/GETTY IMAGES
What’s next for air travel?
While there’s no doubt fewer passengers help lighten the load on airlines and ensure there are more available seats for those who do face disruptions, a passenger traffic drop of mere percentage points does not explain the entire scope of the improvement compared to earlier holiday weekends.
Take Delta, for instance. On the Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend, the Atlanta-based carrier canceled 211 flights. The airline improved leading into the Fourth of July, with 117 cancellations on the busy Friday ahead of Independence Day. Leading into this Labor Day weekend, Delta canceled just five flights on Friday.
Airlines are flying thinner schedules as well. Numerous carriers have reduced schedules in an effort to improve reliability and ensure they’re flying a manageable number of routes. One such reduction for American Airlines will take effect in the coming days.
It comes as carriers have faced intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Remember, it was the disruptions during the season’s first holiday weekend that saw Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg meet with airline executives, calling for increased transparency and reliability.
Then, just last week, TPG reported on the department’s new website that lays out the rights passengers have when facing major disruptions.
As summer turns to fall, it will be worth watching just how airlines continue to rebound from a rocky summer, how high demand for travel remains after several busy months and whether airfare continues to drop following some recent encouraging signs, leading to opportunities for great autumn travel deals.
Bottom line
Despite the improvements for this holiday weekend compared to those from earlier this summer, there are some concerns looking forward. Airlines still have to contend with a shortage of pilots, and air travel (along with much of the travel industry) may have to wait until 2023 to see even more marked improvements.
Featured photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images.