These are the busiest airline routes in 2024, according to OAG

This has been a banner year for air travel, with Thanksgiving is the busiest in the United States and one The upcoming holiday travel season is expected to break records globally.

With traffic expected to continue to grow next year, OAG, a data platform for the wider aviation and travel industry, has released an analysis outlining the busiest routes across the world. around the world by 2024, as well as in the United States.

OAG ranks routes by the number of seats flown in either direction during the year, rather than the number of flights. For example, a flight operated by a British Airways Airbus A380 will contribute 469 seats per flight.

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Only one US route made the international top 10, with New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) slipping in 10th place. More than 4 million seats is expected to fly on this route by the end of 2024, up 3% from 2023, OAG said.

Asia overall dominates global rankings as the region continues to recover from the pandemic. Service between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near Taipei, Taiwan, ranks as the world’s busiest international route with 6.8 million seats seat — up 48% from last year, when the route ranked third, but down 15% from its 2019 peak.

In the United States, the list of the 10 busiest domestic routes is a bit different from previous years, but largely unsurprising, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Orlando International (MCO) moves into the top spot. , reflects Orlando’s enduring appeal in the entertainment market.

However, new to the list is New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), ranked No. 7. That route saw high capacity growth highest compared to the previous year, OAG said, increasing. 17% compared to 2023 levels.

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“While American Airlines and United maintain similar route capacity from New York La Guardia to Chicago, the addition of 700 flights from Spirit Airlines has helped make it one of the busiest routes,” said John Grant. of the United States this year, demonstrating an ever-evolving competitive landscape.” , chief analyst at OAG.

Interestingly, route No. 2 — Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) — actually has 7% fewer seats than in 2023. This decline has could be the result of many factors, including the continued recovery from the 2023 wildfires and the downturn in the Japanese travel market to Hawaii. Capacity remains 17% higher than 2019 levels.

Come to OAG to see the full report on the busiest routes of 2024.

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