Aviation trade group Airlines for America reports this spring is shaping up to be a record season for air travel.
Based on current and projected figures, A4A expects roughly 145 million passengers will travel between March 1 and April 30, a 4 percent rise from last spring’s total of about 140 million. To meet that demand, U.S. carriers are adding roughly 110,000 seats per day across their networks to handle an anticipated 89,000 additional daily passengers this season.
“There has never been a better time to fly, as evidenced by the record levels of traffic U.S. airlines saw in 2016 and will see again this spring,” said John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist at A4A.
He highlighted several factors driving the growth: historically low fares, more reliable operations, and continued reinvestment in products and services. Economic strength also plays a role—rising employment and personal incomes, along with the highest-ever household net worth, are contributing to strong travel demand. With warmer weather approaching, consumers are ready to travel, and airlines are adding seats, introducing new aircraft, and increasing staffing to accommodate the uptick.
The projected increase in spring travel reflects carriers expanding capacity through additional seats and new or restored routes, allowing airlines to serve more passengers and meet seasonal demand.