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December 1999 Airfare and Travel Trends: Key Findings

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The national average cost of roundtrip leisure airfares decreased significantly in December 1999, resulting in a 9.4 percent drop to $213.85, according to AAA. This reduction in airfares led to a 6 percent decline in the AAA Leisure Travel Index, which reflects the combined national average for airfares, lodging, and car rental rates. The decrease in airfares offset a slight increase in lodging rates, while car rental rates experienced a notable decline. These changes have significant implications for the leisure travel industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • The national average cost of roundtrip leisure airfares fell by 9.4 percent to $213.85 in December 1999 compared to $235.92 in November.
  • The AAA Leisure Travel Index decreased by 6 percent to $381.84 in December, reflecting a combined national average for airfares, lodging, and car rental rates.
  • Car rental rates declined by $2.92 in December to an average of $38.17 nationally, a 7.1 percent decrease from November's $41.09.
  • Lodging rates increased by 81 cents to $129.82 in December, a slight increase of less than 1 percent from November's $129.01.
  • Roundtrip leisure airfares averaged $233.19 over the last six months, with a standard deviation of $13.27.
  • Average leisure car rental rates were $39.67 over the last six months, with a standard deviation of $3.11.
  • Average lodging rates were $129.45 over the last six months, with a standard deviation of $3.76.
  • The December report is based on data from over 12,000 AAA two- and three-diamond lodging room rates, 4,300 intermediate-sized car rental rates, and 1,100 domestic airfares for 20 major US markets.
  • The software used in the survey was designed specifically for AAA by Galileo International(R) for use with the Apollo(R) computer reservation system.

Statistics:

  • $213.85: The national average cost of roundtrip leisure airfares in December 1999.
  • $22.07: The decrease in average airfare cost from November to December 1999.
  • $381.84: The AAA Leisure Travel Index in December 1999.
  • -6%: The percentage decrease in the AAA Leisure Travel Index in December 1999.
  • $38.17: The national average car rental rate in December 1999.
  • $2.92: The decrease in average car rental rate from November to December 1999.
  • $129.82: The average lodging rate in December 1999.
  • $81 cents: The increase in average lodging rate from November to December 1999.
  • $406.02: The combined national average for leisure travel in November 1999.
  • $405.88: The combined national average for leisure travel in October 1999.
  • $411.40: The combined national average for leisure travel in September 1999.
  • $392.98: The combined national average for leisure travel in August 1999.
  • $409.47: The combined national average for leisure travel in July 1999.
  • $403.10: The combined national average for leisure travel in June 1999.

Sources:

  • BUSINESS WIRE, "AAA Says Leisure Travel Costs Falling", December 28, 1999.
  • AAA, "Leisure Travel Index".

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