The number of enplaned passengers in the United States followed an increasing trend with slight oscillations until the coronavirus pandemic. Due to border closures and stay-at-home requirements, the passenger volume dropped by 60 percent and amounted to 347.9 million travelers. However, American airline companies showed strong resilience to the narrowing down effects of the pandemic, and a strong recovery was recorded in the following years. As of 2024, around 900.2 million passengers traveled with American air carriers, the highest figure recorded in the given period.
Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Number of passengers boarded in thousands
2024
900,262
2023
855,583
2022
791,141
2021
632,441
2020
347,917
2019
860,066
2018
822,942
2017
680,889
2016
660,618
2015
601,240
2014
535,551
2013
599,405
2012
600,774
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Number of passengers boarded in thousands19901995200020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,000
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According to the source, data include nonstop scheduled service between points within the United States (including territories) by U.S. air carriers with at least one percent of the total domestic scheduled service passenger revenues and operate aircraft with a passenger capacity of 30 or more seats. Data prior to 2023 was taken from previous editions. The values were rounded.
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US Department of Transportation. (March 13, 2025). Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/
US Department of Transportation. "Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s)." Chart. March 13, 2025. Statista. Accessed May 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/
US Department of Transportation. (2025). Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/
US Department of Transportation. "Number of Passengers Boarded by The Largest U.S. Air Carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Mar 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/
US Department of Transportation, Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/ (last visited May 08, 2025)
Number of passengers boarded by the largest U.S. air carriers from 1990 to 2024 (in 1,000s) [Graph], US Department of Transportation, March 13, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/186184/passengers-boarded-by-us-air-carriers-since-1990/
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