February air ticket sales totaled a record $8.9 billion in February for U.S. travel agencies, a figure that is 6 percent higher the same time last year.
This February’s staggering air ticket sales also represent the second straight month that agency sales hit such highs, according to Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC).
“Americans continue to prioritize domestic travel in the early part of the year, with year-over-year trips to U.S. destinations outpacing those of international trips,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC, said in a statement. “Airlines are seeing robust demand from both corporate and leisure travelers, signaling the continued health and anticipated growth in air travel for 2024.”
February ancillary sales increased 34 percent year over year to $29 million, while ancillary transactions increased 47 percent to 476,633 over the same period.
The ticket sales results are based on monthly sales data ending February 29, 2024, according to ARC.
The information was gathered from 10,367 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations, satellite ticket printing offices and online travel agencies. The results, however, do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines.
Additional highlights from the latest ARC report include:
- Total passenger trips: 24.3 million (9 percent increase year-over-year)
- U.S. domestic trips: 15 million. (11 percent increase year-over-year)
- International trips: 9.3 million (5 percent increase year-over-year)
- Average ticket price: $573 million
February’s data follows a record-breaking month in January as well for ticket sales.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
