LABOR DAY AT LAX: PRO TIPS FOR A SMOOTH GETAWAY AS A SUMMER OF GLOBAL GROWTH WINDS DOWN

LABOR DAY AT LAX: PRO TIPS FOR A SMOOTH GETAWAY AS A SUMMER OF GLOBAL GROWTH WINDS DOWN

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LAX shares its Labor Day travel outlook, new global connections and expert tips for a smooth end-of-summer journey.

LAX is ready for Labor Day travel and expects an average of 194,000 passengers to travel through the airport each day during the Labor Day travel period.
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) expects to welcome more than 1.9 million passengers through its terminals over the 10-day Labor Day travel period, from Monday, Aug. 31, through Wednesday, Sept. 9, as travelers mark the unofficial end of summer. According to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) projections, the busiest day will be Friday, Sept. 4, with approximately 231,000 passengers arriving and departing, and volume stays high through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7.

Overall holiday passenger volume is comparable to last year and the outlook aligns with national forecasts. AAA ranks Los Angeles among its top 10 domestic destinations for Labor Day weekend. Nationally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projects to screen 17 million passengers over the travel period.

"Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer for much of the country, but in Los Angeles, visitors can continue to enjoy many of the experiences that define summer year-round," said Courtney Moore, Chief Revenue & Experience Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. "This year, LAX connected travelers to more of the world than ever, strengthening our role as the gateway to the creative capital of the world. As we continue transforming the airport to better showcase everything Los Angeles has to offer, our teams are ready to welcome travelers and provide a memorable holiday travel experience."

"The holiday caps a summer of global growth at LAX. In 2026, the airport welcomed new nonstop service from EgyptAir between Los Angeles and Cairo and from Royal Air Maroc between Los Angeles and Casablanca, restoring the airport's nonstop service to all six inhabited continents. Additional new service this year includes Delta's nonstop to Hong Kong and a new Volaris route between Los Angeles and Puebla, Mexico, which began in June. Looking ahead to 2027, LAX is set to add new international service, including Delta's first-ever nonstop to Manila and United's daily nonstop to Osaka, Japan.

With Angelenos heading out and visitors arriving for the long weekend, LAX offers the following tips and experiences to help make the end-of-summer journey a smooth one.

1. Allow at least two hours before departure. LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight allows enough time to check bags, clear security, and reach the gate. For international travel, LAX recommends arriving three hours early.
   
   
2. Know before you go: construction and wayfinding. LAX's multi-billion-dollar modernization program continues into the fall, with active work in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Terminal 4, the future Terminal 5, along with roadway closures in and around the Central Terminal Area. Travelers should expect detours and longer shuttle times, allow extra time, and follow wayfinding signage. Use the interactive map at www.flylax.com/map to plan terminal routes before arriving.
   
   
3. Pre-book parking. Parking is in high demand and facilities are expected to reach capacity on the busiest days. Visit parking.flylax.com for the best rates and to reserve a space in advance. Pre-booking is the only way to guarantee a space.
   
   
4. Consider public transportation. The LAX/Metro Transit Center (MTC) Station provides direct rail connections to LAX via Metro's C and K lines. LAX operates a free shuttle to and from the MTC, with stops at each terminal on the Lower/Arrivals Level - look for the posts marked "LAX Shuttles" in pink. Additional FlyAway service from Union Station and Van Nuys is being added beginning July 1 to support holiday and summer demand.
   
   
5. Catch a ride with LAX-it. Travelers using a taxi or ride-app vehicle, such as Uber and Lyft can walk to the LAX-it lot east of Terminal 1 or take a free LAX-it shuttle from the Lower/Arrivals Level. For the holiday, LAX has added buses to the LAX-it route and additional ambassadors to help guests find their way and answer questions.
   
   
6. Plan ahead before arriving. Check flight status before leaving home and use online check-in when available. Picking someone up? Verify the arrival terminal first, and monitor real-time traffic and parking information via the automated @FlyLAXstats feed.
   
   Two cell phone waiting lots - at 6217 W. 96th Street and 5800 W. Century Boulevard - let drivers wait until their party is ready at the curb, helping reduce congestion in the Central Terminal Area. As a general guide, passengers typically reach the curb about 15 minutes after landing if they have no checked bags, 30 minutes if they checked bags and 45 minutes for international arrivals.
   
   
7. Navigate TSA checkpoints like a pro. Travelers are encouraged to enroll in TSA PreCheck® or other trusted-traveler programs such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Global Entry. Remember the 3-1-1 liquids rule, and leave fireworks, sparklers and similar items at home - they are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage. REAL ID is now required: travelers must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport, to clear security.
   
   
8. Get a head start on vacation with LAX dining and retail. Most terminals are connected post-security, so ticketed passengers can enjoy concessions across the airport regardless of their departure terminal. Skip the line by ordering ahead at LAXshopdine.com. Soccer fans can also receive an LAX-branded jersey with any purchase of $75 or more at participating retailers, while supplies last.
   
   
9. Find relaxation amid the movement of travel. LAX offers amenities to enhance the journey, including the Gameway arcades in Terminals 3 and 6, the LAX Art Program, therapy dogs through the LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program, and Kawai pianos in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 7. New this summer, LAX Cinema in MSC South offers diverse programming, including World Cup matches, for travelers between flights. Additional interactive experiences, including in-terminal photo opportunities and games, are rolling out across the airport throughout the summer.
   
   
10. Streamline international arrivals. LAX was one of the first large-scale U.S. airports to deploy CBP's Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), a touchless, biometric process now available at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 7 that CBP says has reduced wait times for U.S. citizens by about 25 percent. Don't Pack a Pest: the California Department of Food and Agriculture and CBP remind travelers to declare any plants, produce or agricultural items to protect California agriculture from invasive species.
    
    
11. Experience the summer of "Play All Day. Shine All Night." As Los Angeles welcomes the world for the FIFA World Cup and a summer of marquee events, LAX is bringing the energy of the city into its terminals with summer activations and experiences that celebrate the culture, creativity and spirit of L.A. Travelers are invited to explore everything Los Angeles offers - from the beach to the mountains, the ballpark to the Hollywood Bowl - with their journey starting the moment they arrive.

Pro tools at your fingertips:

• LAX main site - flight, parking and terminal information
• Parking reservations and information
• FlyLAXstats - real-time parking and traffic information
• Dining and concessions
• AskLAX virtual assistant