Air Ticket Sales Drop 5% Year-Over-Year for May 2025

U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales dropped 5% year-over-year in May, the fourth straight month of year-over-year declines, and the largest decrease in 11 months.

The data, from 10,147 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations and online travel agencies tracked by the Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC), shows that the $8.6 billion in air ticket sales for U.S. agencies in May was not just 5% lower than May 2024, but also 2% lower than April 2025.

Still, it’s not all bad news for travel, as ARC’s data actually showed some positive signs for the industry, which continues to be strong. Total passenger trips remained steady at 25.8 million for May, relatively unchanged both year-over-year and month-over-month.

What changed, and what impacted that sales number the most, is the average ticket price. The average economy ticket price, which includes fare codes excluding First Class, Business Class and Business Class Premium, dropped 2% year-over-year (currently at $462), as did the average premium class ticket price (down to $1,201).

The most significant change, however, was a drop in bookings from corporate travel agencies, which took a 8% hit year-over-year.

“Overall travel demand remains steady, despite a decline in corporate travel,” said Steve Solomon, chief commercial officer at ARC. “Separate analysis by ARC has shown strength in domestic markets, including the U.S., this summer, which is a positive sign as we enter the typically busy summer travel season.”