Article: Have Australians Stopped Flying to the USA? Here’s What the Data Says…

[justinbrett]

The European and Asian countries will almost certainly be more welcoming though!

It’s easier to get into a dive bar than a night club

 

[clifford]

Don't know about the stats for Australia, but I've just read in the Guardian UK that bookings from the UK to the USA are up 20% at the moment. Must be the lovely welcome that's possibly in store, (perhaps consider deleting some of your Social Media posts now).

 

[AuSammy]

UK to the USA are up 20% at the moment

But up 20% from what? 1960 or the middle of covid or last month or???

 

[DC3]

I think tourist numbers will fall even further …

Hopefully that leaves more room for those of us who want to go.

 

[RSD]

It’s easier to get into a dive bar than a night club

The first time I read your post I read is as "It's easier to get into a dive boat than a night club" - and I thought that was a strange comparison!

Don't know about the stats for Australia, but I've just read in the Guardian UK that bookings from the UK to the USA are up 20% at the moment.

They are all racing to get over there before the 60 day public comment period ends on the proposed social media thing!

 

[serfty]

Don't know about the stats for Australia,

As per the article that was the genesis of this thread, BITRE data indicates that direct travel between Oz and the USA for Jan-Aug 2025 is up 4% when compared to the same period in 2024.

Have Australians Stopped Flying to the USA? Here's What the Data Says...

Despite many anecdotal reports, the real-world data tells us that Australians are still flying to the USA. In fact, Australia-USA passenger numbers are up 4% compared to 2024. But that doesn't tell the whole story, and there's one particularly surprising trend.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[cove]

Just get an ESTA now for $40 USD as it lasts 2 tears. We have done both of ours.

 

[dajop]

When you see numbers thrown around like 20% (if it’s annual) I just don’t believe it. Unless there’s been some significant external factors - or major increases in capacity -you don’t get those sort of changes from year to year on major traffic routes.. Maybe it would be easier to believe for thin routes, or from month to month within a year but comparing same month one year to the next it’s difficult to believe (unless a significant increase in capacity comparing same months).

 

[serfty]

Just get an ESTA now for $40 USD as it lasts 2 tears. We have done both of ours.

My ESTA expires first week in January, so fine for my transit through next week.

Of course, I need another by late January ... the cost keeps increasing - moreover a pain as my passport has less than two years validity.

 

[Gromit]

As per the article that was the genesis of this thread, BITRE data indicates that direct travel between Oz and the USA for Jan-Aug 2025 is up 4% when compared to the same period in 2024.

Have Australians Stopped Flying to the USA? Here's What the Data Says...

Despite many anecdotal reports, the real-world data tells us that Australians are still flying to the USA. In fact, Australia-USA passenger numbers are up 4% compared to 2024. But that doesn't tell the whole story, and there's one particularly surprising trend.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

As per previous comments the BITRE data is meaningless as it is not broken down by nationality, the US data shows a decrease of 3.5% from Australia.

 

[ausfox]

Just get an ESTA now for $40 USD as it lasts 2 tears. We have done both of ours.

Nice typo

 

[levelnine]

The November 2025 data is in.

Incoming tourist arrivals from Australia was down a whopping 12.7% in November 25 compared to November 24.

And year to date arrivals is now down 6.1%.

Anyone who is still claiming that Australian arrivals into the US are holding strong has their head in the sand.

 

[justinbrett]

As per previous comments the BITRE data is meaningless as it is not broken down by nationality, the US data shows a decrease of 3.5% from Australia.

It’s not meaningless, the traffic on the routes are up. That part is fact.

The slight decline of Australians has been replaced, and then some, by Americans coming here.

 

[AuSammy]

Not specifically Australia - published 1 Oct 2025

Travel Forecast

The U.S. Travel Fall 2025 update projects slower growth for travel in 2025, but higher growth rates in 2026 and beyond. Spending is buoyed by continued growth in domestic leisure travel despite economic concerns. International inbound travel is projected to decrease in 2025 for the first time...

www.ustravel.org

For 2025, total U.S. travel spending is projected to grow 1.1% to $1.35 trillion, and will reach $1.49 trillion by 2029. Inbound international visits are projected to decrease 6.3% from 72.4 million in 2024 to 67.9 million in 2025.

TRAVEL​

• Travel to the United States is projected to reverse course and fall to just 85% of 2019 levels in 2025.

 

[Berlin]

Well, for what it’s worth, I just had an unexpected (job change, suddenly had time) short vacation in California, Florida and Texas and it was AWESOME. Not quite as cheap as it used to be because the Aussie Dollar sucks these days but still: Great shopping, great people, awesome beaches and amazing Texan BBQ on top of it all. Loved every moment of it and have decided that I’ll return with my hubby next year.

 

[Flyerwin]

I just saw this on news.com.au - hopefully it doesn't come to this, because that's going to put off a lot of people from travelling to the US.

 

[SydneySwan]

What if your DNA test comes back saying you are a certain percentage American? Do you get automatic Green Card?

 

[Gromit]

It’s not meaningless, the traffic on the routes are up. That part is fact.

The slight decline of Australians has been replaced, and then some, by Americans coming here.

It is meaningless when referring to Australians going to the US, it shows passengers travelling the route not necessarily Australians, hence the increase in US citizens travelling abroad boosts the numbers on the route concealing any meaningful info on Australians travelling to the US.

 

[justinbrett]

It is meaningless when referring to Australians going to the US, it shows passengers travelling the route not necessarily Australians, hence the increase in US citizens travelling abroad boosts the numbers on the route concealing any meaningful info on Australians travelling to the US.

It’s not the data’s fault people are using it incorrectly! Don’t blame the data.

It proves that the airline routes between Australia and the US are growing, and that’s the important point in the context of a frequent flyer forum.

 

[kpc]

I just saw this on news.com.au - hopefully it doesn't come to this, because that's going to put off a lot of people from travelling to the US.

View attachment 485007

Do you have to declare your AFF account details?!