Passenger seat capacity: Record-breaking year in global aviation
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium finds that 2024 was a historic year for aviation.
It had the highest number of passenger seats available on flights in a single year.
During 2024, airlines offered 5.85 billion seats on scheduled flights worldwide, exceeding the previous record of 5.72 billion seats set in 2019 by 2%.
Global seat capacity also increased by 6% year-on-year in 2024, fuelled by surging demand for air travel.
Despite the rise in seat availability, the total number of scheduled flights in 2024, at 36.4 million, remained 5% below 2019 levels.
This highlights a shift toward operating larger planes with higher seating capacities.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said: “Looking back on 2024, it is clear that demand for air travel continued to rise, with airlines matching this demand.”
“The fact that the industry has managed to exceed 2019 highs just a few years post-pandemic shows the strength air travel has in today’s world.”
The analysis reveals American Airlines as the leading carrier in passenger seat offerings, followed by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
European low-cost airline Ryanair ranked fifth, as the only non-US operator in the top tier.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was again the world’s busiest airport, with over 62.7 million departing seats, while Dubai International ranked second with 59.7 million.
Tokyo-Haneda, London Heathrow and Dallas-Fort Worth followed with over 55, 52.4 and 51.4 million departing seats respectively.
Asia is the dominant force for the busiest routes globally, with eight of the top ten routes in the region.
The Seoul-Gimpo to Jeju route ranked first, with over 15 million annual seats.
Related News Stories: Passenger seat capacity: Record-breaking year in global aviation 2024 a record-breaking year in global aviation history Why 2024 was a record-breaking year in global aviation history ... MIA reaches unprecedented heights in passenger and cargo ... 2024 Smashed All-Time Airline Industry Records: 4 Key Takeaways PORT AUTHORITY'S COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS RECORD ... Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024 - IATA LATAM Airlines Group closes a record-setting year with adjusted ... Passenger Demand Up 8.6% in August: Load Factor ... - IATA Brussels Airlines Achieves Record Results in Summer 2024 ...
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
San Antonio on the Rise: David Gonzalez Talks Travel, Culture, and Growth
Anna Marie Presutti on San Francisco’s Tourism Revival and Global Outlook
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
British cruise guests arrested for skipping onboard bill
Royal Caribbean issues Legionnaires’ disease warning
Aer Lingus revs up for Europe’s only direct Indianapolis route
Payday booking spikes replacing traditional peaks
Affordable Luxury Travel rebrands to Luxtripper