What to expect at Sky Harbor Airport if you're flying on Labor Day weekend

Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

Air travel isn't slowing down as the end of summer approaches.

More people nationwide plan to travel for Labor Day weekend this year than last year. AAA booking data for flights, rental cars, hotels and cruises showed domestic travel is up 4% from the holiday weekend in 2022 and international travel is up 44%.

That means travelers should expect busy airports, including in Phoenix.

"Most travelers will leave on Thursday or Friday before Labor Day to take advantage of the long holiday weekend," Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. "Domestically, the Pacific Northwest, big cities like New York and Denver, and tourist hotspots like Orlando and Las Vegas are the most popular. Internationally, it’s all about Europe and Canada."

Here's what to expect if you're flying from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Labor Day weekend.

Coming soon to Terminal 4: A Guy Fieri restaurant and PGA Tour simulator

Is Labor Day weekend busy for air travel?

Sky Harbor Airport anticipates a busy Labor Day weekend this year, following nationwide and regional spikes in travel for the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.

Heavy travel demand was evident despite extreme heat nationwide, including in Phoenix.

Since July 1, the number of passengers screened by the Transportation Security Administration ranged from 2 million to 2.8 million passengers. Last Labor Day weekend, the TSA processed 1.9 million to 2.5 million passengers daily from Sept. 2-5, 2022.

Labor Day weekend travel tips if you're flying from Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport offers these tips to people who will be flying on Labor Day weekend:

  • Check the status of your flight with your airline before you come to the airport.

  • Arrive at least two hours prior to domestic flights and three hours prior to international flights.

  • You can book parking in advance or find information on garage and lot availability at skyharbor.com/parking. Parking information is also available at the airport’s 24-hour parking hotline, 602-273-4545.

  • Get security checkpoint wait times online in real time, or check the flight information display boards in each terminal. You can use any security checkpoint in Terminal 4 to access any gate. You can also reserve a place in the TSA line by using the free PHX Reserve program.

  • Use interactive maps at maps.skyharbor.aero to find restaurants, shops, lounges, restrooms, ATMs and charging stations near you. You can also use our guide to services at Terminals 3 and 4.

  • If you need help with finding your way around the airport, look for Sky Harbor's Navigator volunteers for guidance. Navigators are dressed in purple and provide directions, information and general assistance.

  • Bring a snack or meal for the plane. Food may be carried through security and beverages may be purchased past security and brought onto the aircraft.

  • Don't pack items in your carry-on bags that are restricted or prohibited. To find out what items can't go in a carry-on, go to tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all.

Still flying: Why didn't Phoenix's historic heat wave ground more Sky Harbor flights?

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Flying for Labor Day weekend? What to expect at Phoenix airport