Today, Airlines Reporting Corporation released data showing U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled $9.8 billion in May 2026 — a 15% increase from May 2025. Total passenger trips settled by ARC remained steady year over year, reaching 25.7 million in May 2026.
Results for May 2026 showed:
| ARC Ticketing Metric | Total | Month-Over- Month Variance |
Year-Over-Year Variance |
| Total Sales | $9.8 billion | -2 % | +15 % |
| Total Passenger Trips | 25.7 million | -3 % | 0 % |
| U.S. Domestic Trips | 16.2 million | -2 % | 1 % |
| International Trips | 9.5 million | -4 % | -1 % |
| Average Ticket Price | $628 | 1 % | +18 % |
| Average Economy Class Ticket Price** |
$569 | 1 % | +20 % |
| Average Premium Class Ticket Price*** |
$1,429 | 0 % | +14 % |
“The May sales data indicates that air travel demand continues to endure, despite evolving economic and political circumstances,” Steve Solomon, ARC’s Chief Commercial Officer, said in a prepared remark. “Travelers are showing a continued prioritization of travel, keeping overall demand steady as we begin the summer travel season.”
NDC transactions also remained steady, accounting for 21.6% of the total ARC-settled transactions in May 2026 — a slight increase from 21.4% in May 2025. In May 2026, 1,197 travel agencies reported NDC transactions.
More detailed information is available on ARC’s sales statistics page.
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