Air Ticket Sales Increase Nearly 3 Percent YOY in March

ARLINGTON, Va. – April 17, 2018 – Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) reported today that the consolidated dollar value of airline tickets sold by U.S.-based travel agencies increased 2.7 percent in March as compared to March 2017, totaling $9.1 billion vs. $8.8 billion. The average U.S. roundtrip ticket price* for March 2018 was $495, up $11 from February. Average March 2018 ticket prices are down approximately one percent compared to March 2017.

The total number of passenger trips* settled by ARC for U.S. travel agencies increased 0.5 percent to 26,646,579 compared to 26,516,456 in March 2017. U.S. domestic trips decreased 3.1 percent while international passenger trips increased 7.1 percent.

Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD)^** sales in March 2018 comprised more than $7.5 million, a 18.9 percent decrease compared to March 2017. EMD transactions also decreased 19 percent to 128,641 in March 2018 vs. 158,919 in March 2017.

More detailed information is available on ARC’s website.

Contact:
Hillary Smith
703.341.1207
hsmith@arccorp.com

Notes for Editors:

*Ticket Sales

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending March 31, 2018, from 12,024 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations, satellite ticket printing offices and online travel agencies. Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines.
  • Average ticket price (in USD) for a roundtrip ticket settled through ARC for an itinerary that included only U.S. domestic travel.
  • Passenger trips include the total number of passengers taking a trip from one airport to another using either direct or connecting flights. Newly-issued trips are added and refunded trips are deducted to provide a net view of traveling passengers.
  • U.S. Domestic passenger trips include the total number settled through ARC where the itinerary is wholly within the U.S. International passenger trips include the total number settled through ARC where some or all of the travel occurs to airports outside the U.S. or originates outside the U.S.
  • Total sales are equal to the total amount paid for a ticket, which includes taxes and fees.

**Electronic Miscellaneous Documents (EMD)

• Includes fees for products and services such as upgraded seats, checked luggage, an unaccompanied minor, pet-in-cabin, etc.