After rebounding in July, air tickets sold in August by U.S. corporate agencies, those with at least 70 percent self-reported corporate and government business, decreased 1.5 percent year over year, according to Airlines Reporting Corp.’s latest report. In July they increased 11.2 percent after falling 7.2 percent in June.
Total August U.S. air ticket sales exceeded $8.1 billion, a record for the month, and represented a 0.7 percent increase year over year and 1.9 percent increase from July 2024 results.
Passenger trips increased 3.8 percent year over year to more than 24.3 million and were up from the 24 million reported a month prior. Domestic trips totaled nearly 15.7 million, up nearly 4.1 percent year over year and 1.4 percent month over month. International trips totaled nearly 8.7 million, up from the 8.4 million reported a year prior and near even with July’s total.
About 18.8 percent of ARC’s monthly transaction volume came from New Distribution Capability transactions, up 50.4 percent year over year. More than 890 travel agencies reported NDC transactions for the month.
The August average price of a U.S. domestic roundtrip ticket was $515, near even with the $514 reported a year prior and down from the $523 reported in July 2024.
“As the summer travel season ended, we saw continued strength in both air ticket sales and the number of domestic and international passenger trips,” ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said in a statement. “Consumers continue to prioritize travel. Passengers are taking advantage of lower ticket prices to plan their fall and winter vacations.”
