Corporate Travel Continues Downward Trend Amid Steady Total Passenger Trips

Strategic Insights -

U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled $8.6 billion in May 2025, a 5% year-over-year decrease, according to Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) data. Passenger trips settled by ARC reached 25.8 million, with a 5% decrease in corporate travel and an 8% year-over-year increase in online travel agency passenger trips. The domestic market has shown strength, with a positive sign for the summer travel season.

Key Takeaways:

  • U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales decreased by 5% year-over-year to $8.6 billion in May 2025, with a 2% month-over-month decrease.
  • Passenger trips issued through leisure agencies decreased by 5% year-over-year, while those issued by corporate agencies decreased by 8% over the same period.
  • Online travel agency passenger trips rose by 8% year-over-year, outpacing the decline in leisure and corporate agency trips.
  • NDC transactions accounted for 21.5% of total ARC-reported transactions in May 2025, a 1.2% increase from 20.3% in May 2024.
  • Rachel Thoring, ARC's Chief Data Analyst, noted that "summer travel sales are looking strong" as the domestic market continues to show resilience.
  • The average ticket price for U.S. domestic travel was $462, with an average economy class ticket price of $530 and an average premium class ticket price of $1,201.

Statistics:

  • Total U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales: $8.6 billion (May 2025), down 5% year-over-year.
  • Total passenger trips: 25.8 million (May 2025), with no month-over-month or year-over-year change.
  • Online travel agencies: 8% year-over-year increase in passenger trips (May 2025).
  • Leisure and corporate agencies: 5% and 8% year-over-year decrease in passenger trips (May 2025), respectively.
  • NDC transactions: 21.5% of total ARC-reported transactions (May 2025), up 1.2% from 20.3% in May 2024.
  • Average ticket price: $462 (U.S. domestic travel, May 2025).

Sources:

  • "ARC: Monthly Ticket Sales Results" (Airlines Reporting Corporation, June 18, 2025).
  • "ARC Ticketing Metrics" (Airlines Reporting Corporation, May 2025).