OAG, an air travel intelligence company, has released the results of its study identifying the Top 25 Under-Served Domestic Routes in the United States. To be classified as “under-served,” a route must have at least 125,000 passengers who travel it via a third airport — meaning many travelers use two connections and three flights instead of a nonstop or single-connection itinerary. OAG argues these routes may be candidates for improved scheduled air service.
As OAG notes, most passengers worldwide accept itineraries involving connections through intermediate airports. In the U.S., however, it might be expected that fewer routes draw large volumes of indirect travelers. Where significant numbers of passengers routinely fly indirect routings, that pattern can indicate unmet demand for direct flights or more convenient schedules.
Among the 25 routes identified, three currently have no nonstop service: Los Angeles (LAX) to New York LaGuardia (LGA); Washington, D.C. Reagan National (DCA) to San Diego (SAN); and Orlando (MCO) to Portland, Oregon (PDX). These and other routes on the list could present opportunities for airlines considering new nonstop flights or adjusted frequencies to capture latent demand.
The study’s findings could inform airline network planning by highlighting corridors where travelers frequently accept indirect travel. Introducing nonstop service or better-timed one-stop options on those corridors could reduce travel time for passengers and potentially generate profitable load factors for carriers.
OAG’s research clarifies passenger behavior patterns and emphasizes that large volumes of indirect travel on domestic routes may reflect gaps in the current route network. Airlines and airport planners can use the data to prioritize route development and evaluate potential market size for new nonstop links.
A complete list of the 25 most under-served U.S. routes is available from OAG. The study serves as a practical resource for carriers exploring network expansion and for industry stakeholders assessing where improved connectivity would most directly benefit travelers.
