US-based airlines collected more money for tickets last month than in any August on record, with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) reporting $9.8 billion in airline sales.

The ARC data revealed that US consumers purchased 25.8 million passenger trips in August 2026 (+5%), spending 19% more on air travel than they did a year ago. The average ticket price soared 17% year-over-year to $624, with economy tickets at $569 (+17%) and premium classes at $1,454 (+11%).

Air travel is booming, but Las Vegas isn’t seeing the same lift, as tourism numbers remain turbulent.

Through July, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported that visitor volume has rebounded only 0.5%. 2026 followed a difficult 2025, where visitation crashed 7.5%.

Many fewer travelers are arriving in the casino town by air this year. Harry Reid International Airport counted 30.2 million arriving and departing passengers through July, 6.9% below the same seven months in 2025. International traffic is down almost 9%.

The LVCVA and Harry Reid International Airport have not yet released their August reports. Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas isn’t expecting a major rally.

Jonas projected on Friday (Sept. 18) in his Las Vegas room survey a soft third quarter. Jonas said Q3 rates for Las Vegas Strip casino rooms are “mostly lower,” with MGM Resorts rooms down 9% and Caesars Entertainment down 11%.

Jonas said October is showing some signs of life, but November is mixed at this point.