US domestic flights almost 20 percent empty in 2013
With dwindling legroom it can feel as though every domestic US flight is full to bursting point, yet the reality is that 1 in 6 airline seats go unfilled, according to the latest data from an International Air Transport Association report.
Despite having nearly 20% empty seats on an average flight during 2013, the IATA report showed US domestic flights were still the world’s most crowded with 83.8% load factor during the year.
Load factors in the US fell during the second and third quarters before picking up towards the end of the year.
China had the next busiest flights with just over 80% full, followed by Australia and Brazil, both at 76%.
Globally, IATA said that air passenger numbers rose 5.2% in 2013 with the largest increases seen in the Middle East and Asia.
In December IATA predicted that the global airline industry could rake in record profits of $19.7 billion in 2014, due to lower jet fuel prices and a surge in ancillary revenue such as baggage fees.
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
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
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025