Strong Domestic Travel Demand Elevated Sales to Another Record Month

ARLINGTON, VA – March 21, 2024 – Today, Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) released data showing February air ticket sales totaled $8.9 billion for U.S. travel agencies — a 6% increase from February 2023 and the second-straight month with agency sales setting a record according to ARC data.

Results for February 2024 showed:

“Americans continue to prioritize domestic travel in the early part of the year, with year-over-year trips to U.S. destinations outpacing those of international trips,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Airlines are seeing robust demand from both corporate and leisure travelers, signaling the continued health and anticipated growth in air travel for 2024.”

February ancillary sales increased 34% year over year to $29 million, while ancillary transactions increased 47% to 476,633 over the same period.**

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

*Ticket Sales

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending February 29, 2024, from 10,367 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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