The average price of round-trip airfare for U.S. travel agencies hits a seven-year high in April

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) today released data showing that air ticket sales by ARC-accredited travel agencies totaled $7.7 billion in April 2022, a 156% year-on-year increase on the other compared to April 2021.* Total month-on-month sales performance remained relatively stable due to a typical seasonal decline in passenger travel offset by air travel costs exceeding record levels. never seen for seven years.

The average round-trip ticket price in the United States continued its month-over-month rise in April 2022, totaling $585. This is an increase of 8% from March and 45% year-over-year. April’s average ticket price is the highest total recorded in the past seven years.

“April month-over-month sales and total passenger numbers are in line with pre-pandemic travel trends. We continue to monitor the impact of higher airfares on traveler demand,” said Steve Solomon, vice president of global customers and data products at ARC. “Before the pandemic, we generally saw a decrease in passenger travel from March to April and an even deeper drop in sales compared to what we have seen this year.”

Month after month, April 2022 results showed:

• Total sales decreased by 1%.

• The total number of passenger trips decreased by 10%.

• US domestic travel fell 11%.

• International travel fell 8%.

The total number of passenger trips settled by the ARC in April 2022 increased by 52% year-on-year, from 14.7 million to 22.5 million. U.S. domestic travel rose 41% to 14.5 million, while international travel rose 78% to 7.9 million over the same period.

EMD’s April 2022 sales increased 148% year-over-year to $14,837,620. EMD transactions increased 79% to 225,135 over the same period.**

More detailed information is available at The ARC Sales Statistics Page. A further breakdown of corporate, leisure and online ticket sales can be found on the ARC COVID-19 Data Page.

About CRA:

ARC accelerates the growth of global air travel by providing forward-looking travel data, flexible distribution services and other innovative industry solutions. We are a leading travel intelligence company with the world’s largest and most comprehensive air ticket dataset, comprising over 15 billion passenger flights representing 490 airlines and 230 countries and territories. Our solutions and expertise strengthen economies and enrich lives by connecting stakeholders across the travel ecosystem. For more information, visit arccorp.com.

Remarks:

*Ticket sales

• Findings are based on monthly sales data ending April 30, 2022, from 10,667 U.S. retail and corporate travel agencies, satellite ticket printers and online travel agencies . Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines.

• The average ticket price (USD) is for a round-trip ticket settled through ARC for an itinerary that included only domestic travel within the United States.

• Passenger trips include the total number of passengers making a trip from one airport to another using direct or connecting flights. Newly issued trips are added and refunded trips are deducted to provide a clean view of passengers on the move.

• US domestic passenger travel includes the total number settled through ARC when the itinerary is entirely within the US. International passenger trips include the total number settled through the ARC when all or part of the trip is to airports outside of the United States or originates from outside of the United States.

• Total sales equals the total amount paid for a ticket, which includes taxes and fees.

**Electronic miscellaneous documents (EMD)

• Includes charges for products and services such as upgraded seats, checked baggage, unaccompanied minor, in-cabin pet, etc.

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