The consolidated dollar value of airline tickets sold by U.S.-based travel agencies increased 10.9% year over year in July, totaling $7.7 billion, according to Airlines Reporting Corp.
ARC attributes the growth to the positive economic outlook and higher consumer confidence. The average U.S. roundtrip ticket price for July 2018 was $485.
The total number of passengers taking a trip from one airport to another, on either direct or connecting flights, rose 4.9% to 24 million. U.S. domestic trips increased 3.4%, and international trips rose 7.9%.
Electronic miscellaneous document (EMD) transactions, which indicate sales of ancillary services like upgraded seats and checked luggage, rose 36.3% year over year to 118,511. EMD sales totaled $6.4 million, a 30.2% year over year rise.
Source: Business Travel News