U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales continued their downward trend in May, totaling $8.6 billion, which signals a 5 percent year-over-year decrease, according to new data released by Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC).
That figure is also down slightly from the $8.8 billion reported in April 2025, which was a 6 percent decrease compared to April 2024.
However, ARC reported that passenger trips issued through online travel agencies rose 8 percent year over year while those issued by leisure and corporate agencies decreased 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively, compared to May 2024.
Of those 25.8 million passenger trips, 16.2 million were domestic, while 9.6 million were international. The latter marks a 1 percent month-over-month and year-over-year increase.
"Overall travel demand remains steady despite a decline in corporate travel," ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said in a statement. "Separate analysis by ARC has shown strength in domestic markets, including the U.S., this summer, which is a positive sign as we enter the typically busy summer travel season."
According to ARC, the average ticket price agencies sold in May was $530, down 1 percent from April 2025 and down 2 percent from May 2024. While the average economy class ticket price ($462) and premium class ticket price ($1,201) were both down 2 percent month over month, they were both up slightly compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, NDC transactions accounted for 21.5 percent of the total ARC reported and settled transactions last month, rising slightly from 20.3 percent in May 2024.
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