U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales settled by Airlines Reporting Corp. in 2025 totaled more than $100 billion, a 1 percent increase from 2024 and the highest annual total recorded by ARC, the company announced Thursday.
Total 2025 passenger trips increased 3 percent year over year to 293 million, with U.S. domestic trips accounting for 183 million, up 2 percent, and international trips at about 110 million, up 4 percent.
December air sales increased 6.6 percent year over year to more than $7.2 billion. Passenger trips for the month were up 7.3 percent for the period to more than 20 million. Domestic December tips totaled more than 12 million, up 5.7 percent compared with December 2024, while international trips increased 9.7 percent to more than 8 million.
In a late-year turnaround, December trips sold by travel agencies with at least 70 percent self-reported corporate and government business counted by ARC increased 1.8 percent year over year—making it only the second month of 2025 in which they exceeded 2024 levels.
"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," ARC chief commercial officer Steve Solomon said in a statement. "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 New Distribution Capability transactions accounted for 21.2 percent of the total ARC-settled transactions for the month, with 1,139 travel agencies reporting NDC transactions.
The December average ticket price for a U.S. domestic roundtrip ticket was $570, down from $582 in November 2025, but up from $561 in December 2024.
The average price in December for an economy-class ticket was $514, level with the price reported in November 2024. The average price for a premium-class ticket was up 5 percent year over year to $1,370.
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