New Data Shows US Air Travel Demand Dipped in June 2026

Image: Plane flying through clouds. (Photo Credit: denklim / Adobe Stock)
Image: Plane flying through clouds. (Photo Credit: denklim / Adobe Stock)
Jessica Puckett
by Jessica Puckett
Last updated: 4:05 PM ET, Tue July 14, 2026

June is traditionally one of the busiest months for air travel in the United States, but this year, monthly travel demand for June took a slight dip, according to new data. 

Numbers from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that US international air traffic passenger enplanements reached a total of 24.6 million in June 2026. 

That’s 1.6% lower compared to June 2025. 

It’s the second month in a row that air travel demand has shrunk year over year. In May 2026, data from IATA showed global passenger demand fell by 2.2% and demand in North America dipped by 0.8% compared to the same month in 2025. 

Air travel demand has been shrinking in the U.S. throughout the spring and summer due to higher jet fuel prices and more expensive air fares amid the war with Iran.

One concerning area in the NTTO data is the fact that overseas visitor arrivals to the United States also dipped in June 2026, despite the FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in 11 U.S. cities on June 11. 

Overseas visitor arrivals totaled 2.8 million in June 2026, which is 1.8% fewer arrivals than June 2025. 

Among the travelers visiting the U.S. from other countries in June, arrivals were led by Mexico (3.3 million, -6.1 percent Year-Over-Year (YOY)), Canada (2.8 million, +0.2 percent YOY), the United Kingdom (2 million, -2.1 percent YOY), the Dominican Republic (1.1 million, +3.3 percent YOY), and Germany (1.1 million, -3.4 percent YOY).

Non-U.S. citizen arrivals rose slightly to a total of 4.4 million arrivals, which is 0.2% higher compared to June 2025. 

Fewer U.S. travelers took international flights out of the country as well. 

U.S. citizen air passenger departures to international destinations dipped 3.2% from June 2025 for a total of 8 million departures in June 2026.


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Jessica Puckett

Jessica Puckett

Jessica Puckett is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who covers transportation and travel news. She has reported for ABC News, The Points Guy, Condé Nast Traveler, and several other publications.

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