U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled $9.8 billion in May 2026, a 15% increase from May 2025, according to data released by Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC). The rise in sales value was driven by higher ticket prices, as total passenger trips settled by ARC remained steady year over year at 25.7 million. The data reflects sales from 9,865 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations and online travel agencies for the period ending May 31, 2026.

The average ticket price for a round-trip ticket settled through ARC increased 18% year-over-year to $628. This price increase offset a 2% decline in total sales on a month-over-month basis. Domestic trips accounted for 16.2 million of the total passenger trips, up 1% year-over-year, while international trips totaled 9.5 million, down 1% from the previous year.

Ticketing Metrics

Pricing and Transaction Details

The average economy class ticket price rose 20% year-over-year to $569, while the average premium class ticket price increased 14% to $1,429. 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.

New Distribution Capability (NDC) transactions accounted for 21.6% of total ARC-settled transactions in May 2026, a slight increase from 21.4% in May 2025. In May 2026, 1,197 travel agencies reported NDC transactions. ARC processes over $100 billion in U.S.-based agency air sales annually.

A proprietary survey by Apex Capital Partners indicates that 61% of high-earning Americans would consider leaving the United States within the next five years. The survey, conducted in May 2026, polled 1,733 Americans with a household income exceeding $200,000. The findings highlight growing political and economic unease among affluent citizens, with respondents citing cost of living, taxes, and the political climate as primary drivers for potential relocation.

The survey was equally weighted across party lines and gender. Key reasons for considering a move abroad included cost of living and taxes (68%), political climate (54%), healthcare (39%), public safety (29%), and education (21%). Additionally, 63% of respondents are considering asset diversification outside domestic US markets. The survey also revealed significant concern regarding the future of the United States in relation to the Iran War, with 75% of respondents expressing concern.

Economic and Political Sentiment

When asked to categorize the current economy, 42% of those surveyed described it as either weak or very weak, while 31% viewed it as strong or very strong. The remaining 27% were neutral. Nuri Katz, founder of Apex Capital Partners, noted that affluent Americans are increasingly treating immigration as a strategic financial move to safeguard assets and families against instability and rising expenses. He emphasized that this unease transcends party lines.

Preferred Destinations

Respondents prioritized specific regions for potential relocation. Europe was the top choice at 42%, followed by Canada at 18% and the Caribbean at 16%. Apex Capital Partners assists high-net-worth clients with wealth management and Citizenship by Investment (CIP) programs in these regions.