International Passenger Trips Drive Year-over-Year Sales Increase

Today, Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) announced November’s 2024 U.S. travel agency air ticket sales totaled $7.2 billion — a 7% year-over-year increase. November’s total passenger trips reached 20.6 million, reflecting a 1.1% year-over-year increase. The average ticket price increased slightly from November 2023 to $576, driven by an increase in international trips.

Metrics from November 2024 show:

“November’s air travel data continues to show U.S. passengers prioritizing international destinations with year-over-year growth,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Leisure travel continues to show strength, with consumers continuing to prioritize travel with their discretionary spending.”

In November 2024, ARC’s monthly New Distribution Capability (NDC) transactions reached 20.1% — a 10.9% increase year-over-year. A total of 798 travel agencies reported NDC transactions during the month. The number of airlines participating in ARC’s Direct Connect program increased to 35.

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

*Ticket Sales  

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending November 30, 2024, from 242 airlines, 10,360 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.