The report showed that seat capacity in the fourth quarter of 2022 saw an 18% increase over the fourth quarter of 2021 and was down 13% compared with the last quarter of 2019.
Airfares are also staying strong, with global international business class fares in 2022 on average 15% more than in 2019, according to the report. Discount economy class fares were on average 12% higher in 2022 than they were in 2019.
Felicity Burke, general manager of FCM Consulting, said that predicting full-year 2023 seat capacity is a very long-range forecast. However, she said airline schedules offering just 4% fewer seats than in 2019 for this year “shows optimistic travel signals. “
North America will still be leading the charge on airline capacity recovery in the first quarter of 2023, sitting at 101% of 2019 volume, according to the report.
In terms of accommodation, 2022 saw average room rates surpassing those in 2019 – up 11% ($25), with hotel occupancy at 95% of 2019 levels.
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