Preparing for a Summer of Record-Breaking Air Travel The travel industry boosts our economy & provides safe, smooth journeys from Point A to B. Image This summer, more people will be traveling by air than ever before. The good news? The U.S. travel industry is working to get you there safely and seamlessly. Every day, nearly three million passengers safely fly in and out of U.S. airports. The aviation industry continues to offer the safest mode of transport and is committed to safety and security at every step of the journey—from the plane you fly on to the technology that TSA uses to verify and safeguard your identity. Why it matters: Robust travel is essential to economic growth, global competitiveness and job creation in communities nationwide. In 2023, travelers in the United States directly spent $1.3 trillion, producing an economic footprint of $2.8 trillion and supporting more than 15 million American jobs. As we prepare for what TSA is saying will likely be the busiest season on record—with an anticipated 10% surge in passenger volume—our air travel partners are prioritizing every aspect of the journey, to ensure your travel from Point A to Point B goes off without a hitch. With high expectations for travel this summer, travelers will benefit from the innovative screening technologies that TSA has in place—including facial recognition and TSA PreCheck. These technologies enhance security and efficiency in airports nationwide and abroad, as demonstrated by recent site visits conducted with the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, a group of experts focused on increasing U.S. competitiveness and improving government focus on travel issues. The good news: Congress recently passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024—a critical step towards modernizing our air travel system. What’s included: Increased air traffic control staffing Investments to modernize air traffic control technology Expanded workforce development grants for pilots, mechanics and manufacturers Increased funding and flexibility for airport improvement grants This five-year FAA reauthorization bill is the result of two years of aggressive lobbying, media and grassroots advocacy from U.S. Travel, our members and the broader aviation community. However, a recent proposal in Congress by Senators Merkley and Kennedy sought to limit the use and expansion of automated facial recognition technology at airport checkpoints, resulting in travelers waiting an additional 120 million hours in TSA lines each year by significantly slowing both TSA PreCheck and standard screening lanes. In May, the industry came together to stop this harmful amendment from being included in the FAA bill—legislation that would have restricted TSA’s use of facial recognition technology, undermined national security and slowed checkpoint screening. While the amendment is off the table for now, it is likely that we will have to confront it again in the coming months. Please be on the lookout for continued opportunities to engage with U.S. Travel’s work as we seek to educate members of Congress on the benefits of expanded facial recognition technology—with the goal of ensuring provisions like the Merkley amendment don’t continue to threaten progress. Help us keep travel moving forward. SHOW LESS SHOW MORE CONTACT US U.S. Travel Association For more information about this Issue, please contact us at: 202.408.8422 @ustravel
INTERACTIVE TRAVEL DATA September 29, 2025 The U.S. Travel Insights Dashboard Image The most comprehensive and centralized source for high-frequency intelligence on the U.S. travel industry and the broader economy. Updated monthly.
MONTHLY INSIGHTS September 22, 2025 The Latest Travel Data - September 2025 Image Monthly member-exclusive summary of the latest economic, consumer and travel indicators, trends and analysis featuring key highlights from the U.S. Travel Insights Dashboard.
RESEARCH September 22, 2025 Research Fact Sheets Image Access exclusive research and data-driven insights designed to support our members with the latest trends, facts and industry analysis. Member login required to download factsheets. State of Play...
MONTHLY INSIGHTS September 11, 2025 Travel Price Index Image Developed by the U.S. Travel Association, the Travel Price Index (TPI) measures the one-month change in the cost of travel ("travel inflation") away from home in the United States on a seasonally adjusted basis and the 12-month change of the cost of travel away from home in the U.S. on a seasonally unadjusted basis. The TPI is released monthly and is directly comparable to the CPI.