Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) has released data showing that U.S. travel agency air ticket sales last month increased 10 percent from August 2022 levels to just over $8 billion.
The month’s passenger trips reached their highest level compared to pre-pandemic years, with August 2023’s passenger trip total at 94 percent of the August 2019 levels.
“The positive travel trends for August matched what we’re hearing from the largest airlines regarding the strength of air travel demand,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC. “Travelers continue to take advantage of lower airfare, particularly in the U.S. domestic market.”
August marked the third straight month where the average ticket price declined for a U.S. domestic round-trip air ticket. The average ticket price was $514 for the month, a 3 percent decline from July 2023 and a 2 percent decline from August 2022.
As well, ancillary sales increased 75 percent year over year to $24 million. Ancillary transactions increased 52 percent to 378,565 over the same period. This includes fees for products and services such as upgraded seats, checked bags, an unaccompanied minor, and pet-in-cabin.
These results are based on monthly sales data ending August 31, 2023, from 10,467 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. More detailed information is available on ARC’s sales statistics page.
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