EUROCONTROL data reveals key aviation trends
EUROCONTROL’s Data Snapshot #54 reveals interesting information on new aviation trends, including the average flight in the EUROCONTROL area.
In 2024, the average flight in the EUROCONTROL area was 1,157 km – 17 km longer than in 2023. This continues a six-year trend of flights getting longer, on average. Flights now carry more passengers too, with an average of 183 seats in 2024 compared to 173 in 2018. Meanwhile, average cruising levels have stabilised at 35,000 ft, higher than before the COVID years.
The most common aircraft types were narrow-bodies like the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320. Aircraft are also getting heavier: the average maximum take-off weight (MTOW) rose to 90.4 tonnes in 2024, up 1.4 tonnes from 2023 and 4 tonnes since 2018. Airlines are using more narrow and wide-body aircraft and fewer regional jets, boosting efficiency.
