Monthly Sales Total Indicates Robust Demand Amid Year-Over-Year Ticket Price Decline

ARLINGTON, Va. – June 15, 2023 – Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) today released data showing May 2023 U.S. travel agency air ticket sales increased 7% year over year to $9 billion.* The May total marks the second time monthly sales have eclipsed $9 billion this year, trailing the $9.6 billion March record.

The average price of a U.S. round-trip air travel ticket sold in May fell below year-over-year levels for the second consecutive month. The 2% month-over-month increase in average ticket price followed identical pre-pandemic trends for April to May.

Results for May 2023 showed:

“The record-setting Memorial Day travel weekend confirmed the continued strong demand for U.S. domestic and international air travel,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Travelers will be relieved to see both lower airfare prices and increased seat capacity compared to last year as they book travel for what could be the busiest summer travel season ever for several popular destinations.”

Ancillary sales increased 56% year over year to $26,637,478. Ancillary transactions increased 45% to 355,575 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 May 31, 2023, from 10,460 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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