In Brief: The month of February 2026 marked a significant uptick in air ticket sales through U.S. travel agencies, with revenues reaching $9.6 billion, an 11% increase from 2025.
-
U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Rise 11% to $9.6 Billion in February 2026 – Image Credit Unsplash
U.S. travel agency air ticket sales reached $9.6 billion in February 2026, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, with total passenger trips rising 8% to 25.9 million, according to data from Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC).
February 2026 Air Ticket Sales Overview
U.S.-based travel agencies reported $9.6 billion in air ticket sales for February 2026. This figure represents an 11% increase compared to February 2025. The data is based on monthly sales from 9,943 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations and online travel agencies. These results do not include tickets purchased directly from airlines.
Total passenger trips settled by ARC in February 2026 reached 25.9 million, up 8% year over year. The month-over-month comparison showed a 4% decrease in total sales and an 8% decrease in total passenger trips compared to January 2026.
Breakdown of Passenger Trips
Of the 25.9 million total passenger trips in February 2026, 16 million were U.S. domestic trips, and 9.9 million were international trips. U.S. domestic trips increased by 9% year-over-year but declined 6% compared to the previous month. International trips increased 7% year-over-year but fell 11% month-over-month.
Leisure-focused travel agencies recorded a 6% year-over-year increase in passenger trips, while online travel agencies saw a 3% increase. Corporate agency sales remained flat compared to the previous year.
Ticket Price Trends
The average ticket price for February 2026 was $601, a 7% increase from February 2025 and a 3% increase from January 2026. The average economy class ticket price was $539, up 7% year-over-year and 4% month-over-month. The average premium class ticket price was $1,423, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase and a 1% month-over-month increase.
Economy class is defined as tickets for U.S. domestic travel purchased under fare codes excluding First Class, Business Class, and Business Class Premium. Premium class includes tickets for U.S. domestic travel under fare codes assigned to First Class, Business Class, and Business Class Premium.
NDC Transactions and Agency Participation
New Distribution Capability (NDC) transactions accounted for 21% of total ARC-settled transactions in February 2026. This is an increase from 19.1% in February 2025. In February 2026, 1,189 travel agencies reported NDC transactions.
Summary Table of Key Metrics (February 2026)
|
ARC Ticketing Metric |
Total |
Month-Over-Month Variance |
Year-Over-Year Variance |
|
Total Sales |
$9.6 billion |
-4 % |
+11 % |
|
Total Passenger Trips |
25.9 million |
-8 % |
+8 % |
|
U.S. Domestic Trips |
16 million |
-6 % |
+9 % |
|
International Trips |
9.9 million |
-11 % |
+7 % |
|
Average Ticket Price |
$601 |
+3 % |
+7 % |
|
Average Economy Class Ticket Price** |
$539 |
+4 % |
+7 % |
|
Average Premium Class Ticket Price*** |
$1,423 |
+1 % |
+7 % |
Ticket Sales
- Results are based on monthly sales data ending February 28, 2026, from 9,943 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations and online travel agencies. Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from airlines.
- The average ticket price (USD) is for a round-trip ticket settled through ARC for an itinerary that included only U.S. domestic travel.
- Passenger trips include the total number of passengers traveling from one airport to another using direct or connecting flights. Newly issued trips are added, and refunded trips are deducted to provide a net view of traveling passengers.
- U.S. domestic passenger trips include the total number settled through ARC where the itinerary is wholly within the U.S. International passenger trips include the total number settled through ARC where some or all the travel occurs to airports outside the U.S. or originates outside the U.S.
- Total sales are equal to the total amount paid for a ticket, which includes taxes and fees.
Average Economy Class Ticket Price
- Economy Class is defined as tickets for U.S. domestic travel purchased in February 2026 under fare codes excluding First Class, Business Class and Business Class Premium.
Average Premium Class Ticket Price
- Premium Class is defined as tickets for U.S. domestic travel purchased in February 2026 under fare codes assigned to First Class, Business Class and Business Class Premium.
All data is sourced from Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC).
