Global airline capacity is set to reach its peak for the year in July 2025, with a projected 559.4 million seats available worldwide, marking a robust 3% increase compared to July 2024. This growth is driven by significant expansions from several key carriers, with United Airlines leading the charge, according to new data from OAG, a leading global travel data provider.
United Airlines stands out by adding over 13,200 flights this month, representing a remarkable 9.3% increase from July 2024. Other major U.S. carriers are also experiencing strong frequency growth, with American Airlines increasing its flights by 4.6% and Delta Air Lines by 6.2% year-on-year. Beyond the U.S., LATAM Airlines Group has expanded by 6.7% and Turkish Airlines by a notable 8.8%.
“The aviation industry is demonstrating strong recovery and growth this July, with global capacity reaching its annual peak,” said [Spokesperson Name, Title, if available from OAG]. “United Airlines’ substantial increase in flights is a key contributor to this surge, alongside solid growth from other major players. While some markets are experiencing adjustments, the overall trend points to a healthy and expanding global travel landscape.”
Despite the overall positive trend, some airlines are adjusting their schedules downwards. Southwest Airlines is seeing a 1.5% decrease in frequency compared to last July, and Deutsche Lufthansa is down by 5.2% year-on-year.
Regional and Domestic Market Highlights:
- Turkiye continues its impressive growth trajectory, leading in domestic market expansion with an 8.7% increase from last July, adding nearly 500,000 more seats.
- Canada’s domestic market is also experiencing strong growth, up 5.8% year-on-year.
- Conversely, some of the largest domestic markets are experiencing stagnation or decline:
- India’s capacity remains unchanged this month.
- Japan is down 2.1%.
- Indonesian domestic capacity has fallen by 6.8%, representing a decrease of nearly 0.65 million seats year-on-year.
Fastest Growing Regions:
Continuing recent trends, capacity is growing fastest in Central Asia, up 15% year-on-year, though it remains one of the smallest global regions with 3.2 million seats in July 2025. Southern Africa, the smallest region, is also experiencing double-digit growth, with capacity up by 10.4%.
The largest volume increases this month are observed in the largest regions:
- North East Asia is adding 4.0 million seats in July 2025 compared to 2024.
- Western Europe is adding 3.3 million seats.
This July’s data underscores a dynamic global aviation market, with significant expansions driven by key carriers and strong regional growth contributing to the overall increase in capacity.
