August 2024 U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Reach $8.1 Billion

Total Passenger Trips Remained Strong as Average Ticket Prices Declined

Today, Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) announced that August 2024 U.S. travel agency air ticket sales totaled $8.1 billion — the highest August total since ARC began reporting monthly sales in 2017 and a 1% increase from August 2023. August passenger trips reached 24.3 million, reflecting a 4% increase in U.S. domestic trips and a 3% increase in international trips compared to August 2023.

Results for August 2024 showed:

“As the summer travel season ended, we saw continued strength in both air ticket sales and the number of domestic and international passenger trips. Consumers continue to prioritize travel,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Passengers are taking advantage of lower ticket prices to plan their fall and winter vacations.”

In August 2024, 18.8% of ARC’s monthly transaction volume came from New Distribution Capability (NDC) transactions — a 50.4% increase year over year. More than 890 travel agencies reported NDC transactions throughout the month.

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

*Ticket Sales  

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending August 31, 2024, from 10,364 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.