by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:55 AM ET, Fri April 17, 2026
U.S.-based air ticket sales by travel agencies saw a 12% year-over-year increase this March, totaling $10.4 billion, as passenger trips also increased, according to new monthly data by ARC.
March was a busy month for global air travel, and U.S.-based travel agencies saw a 4% increase in passenger trips, bringing the total to 28.1 million air passengers.
The third month of the year was also the second month in 2026 that monthly ticket sales exceeded $10 billion. January was the first month in 2026 when monthly ticket sales hit a record $10 billion.
Domestic travel increased 5 percent year-over-year in March, with 17.7 million travelers heading to destinations from Florida to New York City. Spring break, which fell at the end of March and into early April, likely contributed to the rise.
International trips increased 1 percent year-over-year, a moderate rise, but it’s still going strong, with 10.4 million travelers visiting another country in March.
“For the second time this year, total monthly ticket sales surpassed the $10 billion mark, with gains in both domestic and international trips,” said Steve Solomon, ARC’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The passenger growth we’ve seen this month and quarter suggests travelers are actively planning around geopolitical uncertainty rather than pulling back on air travel.”
The average ticket cost increased 16 percent year-over-year, likely driven by the increased price of jet fuel caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that’s been an economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The average airfare cost in March was $623.
For an economy class ticket, the average price in March was $570, a 21% year-over-year increase. Premium tickets cost on average $1,444, a 17% increase from 2025. Both increases likely contributed to the higher monthly sales totals.
Ticket sales for the first quarter of the year totaled $30.1 billion, an 11% increase from 2025. Passenger trips increased 8% year-over-year too, with a total of 82.3 million flying.
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