Total Passenger Trips Rebounded in August as Average Ticket Price Declined for Third Consecutive Month

ARLINGTON, Va. – September 21, 2023 – Today, Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) released data showing August 2023 U.S. travel agency air ticket sales increased 10% from August 2022 to $8 billion.* August passenger trips reached their highest level compared to pre-pandemic years, with the August 2023 passenger trip total at 94% of August 2019 levels.

Results for August 2023 showed:

“The positive travel trends for August matched what we’re hearing from the largest airlines regarding the strength of air travel demand,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC. “Travelers continue to take advantage of lower airfare, particularly in the U.S. domestic market.”

August marked the third straight month the average ticket price declined for a U.S. domestic round-trip air ticket. The average ticket price was $514 for the month.

Ancillary sales increased 75% year over year to $24 million. Ancillary transactions increased 52% to 378,565 over the same period.**

More detailed information is available on ARC’s sales statistics page.

Notes:

*Ticket Sales

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending August 31, 2023, from 10,467 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.
  • The average ticket price (USD) is for a round-trip 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 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 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.

**Ancillary sales

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

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