As the travel industry continues to rebound post-pandemic, the latest data from OAG, a leading travel intelligence firm, reveals the busiest airline routes of 2024. From the popular international connections to bustling domestic paths in the U.S., these routes are where passengers are flying the most this year.
Top International Routes in 2024 According to OAG’s analysis, the most popular international route for 2024 was Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE), with a remarkable 6.78 million seats available. This 1 hour, 45-minute flight tops the charts, showing a 48% increase in passenger capacity compared to 2023, although it's still 15% below pre-pandemic levels.
Following closely, Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) ranks second, with 5.47 million seats, while Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) took third place with 5.41 million seats. Other notable international routes include Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore Changi (SIN), and Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Osaka Kansai (KIX).
Interestingly, the New York (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR) route made the top 10, with 4.01 million seats, despite being the eighth most popular route in 2019.
Most Popular Domestic U.S. Routes In the United States, Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO) tops the list as the busiest domestic route in 2024, offering 3.47 million seats. This route is closely followed by Honolulu (HNL) to Kahului (OGG), with 3.37 million seats, a route often taken for island-hopping within Hawaii.
Other popular U.S. domestic routes include the busy Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX) path, which saw 3.35 million seats available, and Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) with 3.21 million seats. The classic Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) route also remained a staple, offering 3.16 million seats in 2024.
Why These Routes Are So Popular The surge in passenger demand, particularly for short-haul flights and popular vacation destinations, has shaped these rankings. The Asia-Pacific region has experienced a post-pandemic recovery, with routes like Hong Kong to Taipei and Seoul to Tokyo benefitting from increased connectivity. Meanwhile, U.S. domestic routes like those to Orlando and Las Vegas continue to be strong as travelers return to their favorite holiday destinations.
As airlines continue to cater to both long and short-haul travel, it’s clear that these routes are key to the aviation industry’s recovery. Whether for business or leisure, these routes are where the majority of global travelers are heading in 2024.
