United States travel agencies sold a record-breaking amount of airfares in 2025, new data shows.
Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) has released a new report showing U.S.-based travel agencies sold a total of $100.4 billion in air ticket sales last year. That is a jump of one percent year-over-year and the highest annual total ever recorded by the organization.
Along with the growth in ticket sales, ARC recorded an increase in the total number of air passenger trips for 2025, which jumped by three percent to an annual total of 292.2 million trips. The total number of international trips also increased by four percent to an annual total of 109.7 million trips in 2025, which tracks with airline reports of strong international demand throughout the year.
Perhaps the most surprising statistic is an increase in the total number of U.S. domestic trips throughout last year. The airline industry kicked off 2025 with sluggish demand across their domestic routes, particularly in economy cabins, as budget-conscious fliers eschewed leisure trips due to economic concerns over tariff policies. That demand eventually recovered toward the end of the year, helping domestic trips to grow by two percent year over year for an annual total of 183.2 million for 2025.
“It was a monumental year for air travel in 2025, with the industry showing its resilience and healthy demand helping U.S. travel agencies reach new heights,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “After a strong December finish, the air travel industry has momentum heading into 2026, with global events and major celebrations expected to translate into air travel growth across both international and U.S. markets.”
December 2025 saw significant growth to monthly sales, which totaled a whopping $7.2 billion across, as well as the total number of passenger trips, which clocked in at 20.4 million trips for the month. Both monthly sales and passenger trips were up by seven percent year over year in December.
In 2026, the U.S. travel industry is hoping to record a massive number of visitors in 2026, thanks to events like the FIFA World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
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